Toyota BZ4X - An interesting car

ROAD TEST

by Mark Slack

BZ4X is probably one of the strangest names ever for a car, and appears to have been spared any imagination in Toyota’s vehicle naming department. It’s not as random as it may appear though, the ‘BZ’ stands for Beyond Zero, so you may guess from that it’s an EV, and the 4X signifies the size and type within Toyota’s hierarchy. Despite the rather boring name it’s an interesting car.

It’s Toyota’s first EV, surprising when you consider they were pioneers having launched the first Prius Hybrid back in the midnineties. Four trim levels, two and four­wheel­drive and comprehensive standard equipment across the board make the BZ4X a tempting package.

Range varies whether you select two or fourwheel­drive and surprising ly the wheel size. The highest range quoted by Toyota is 317 miles in the twowheel ­ drive and 286 miles with four ­ wheeldrive. As with all EVs that’s not up to combustion engine range and of course the EV charging network, although improving, is not improving anywhere near fast enough to make longer journeys a worryfree experience. It almost goes without saying if you’re read any of my EV reviews, that they make

Facts at a Glance

• Model: Toyota BZ4X Pure

Engine: 71 kwh battery

Gears: Automatic

Price: €53,506/£46,110 great commuter cars. The BZ4X is, as one would expect from Toyota,

Performance: 0-100 kph (62 mph) 7.5 seconds/Maximum Speed 161 kph (100 mph).

Manufacturer quoted range: 317 miles on single charge

Emissions: 0 g/km

Model tested was UK-specification