Toyota bZ4X Motion review: swift and polish

You could argue the AWD Motion has benefitted the most from Toyota's recent bZ4X upgrades. All models have gained more aggressive frontal styling, a dashboard/console tidy-up, upgraded battery and more effcient electric-motor technology.

But while the previous bZ4X Motion made just 160kW from its dual-motor powertrain (a mere 10kW more than the single-motor bZ4X Pure of the same generation), this new one gets a huge boost to 255kW. It's still not the most powerful in the lineup, with the arrival of the new 280kW Touring model, but the Motion is now properly quick.

In powertrain and technology terms, the Toyota bZ4X Motion is also now much closer to the Lexus RZ 500e Dynamic (although that car also gets the full 280kW), given the two ride on the same platform. Like the Lexus, the bZ4X Motion has benefitted from a massive price-drop: this was an $84k car at launch back in 2024, but it's now a much more palatable $68,990.

On the outside: what are the Toyota bZ4X Motion's main design features?

The facelift bZ4X has a different front bumper design and slimmer, more aggressive-looking "Hammerhead" headlights. We approve.

In an age of Chinese EV rivals that don't feel 100% ready for Kiwi roads, the bZ4X's dynamic polish and seamless ADAS execution is truly refreshing.

We're not so sure about the move from plain black plastic for the bZ4X's industrial-looking wheel-arch trims to gloss-black across the range. Presumably the intention is a more premium look, but it looks a bit shiny and self-conscious to us. The dystoptian-future transport-pod look is very much part of the bZ4X styling package, and glossy stuff just doesn't suit.

There are new wheels: 20 inches in diameter, with aero covers to eek another few metres range between recharges.

Our test car's stunning Deep Sea Blue paint finish is a new colour: it can look dark blue, black or incredibly sparkly, all in the same light.

OVERVIEW

On the inside: what's the Toyota bZ4X Motion cabin like?

The bZ4X cabin has had a major tidy-up, although the basic layout is the same: a main instrument pod set well forward and up high, so you're looking over the top of the steering wheel at the display, and an infotainment screen atop the centre console.

Still no glovebox. But cabin storage includes a large shelf under the centre console, home to the handbook which would normally go in... the glovebox.

But the buttresses linking the instrument panel to the dashtop are gone and the (new, 14-inch) infotainment screen now has a more freestanding appearance, rather than being integrated into the centre console.

There's a separate cluster of climate controls under the main display, with physical dials for temperature. 

The Motion's monitor now offers Multi-Terrain view, using the cameras to give a 360-degree picture that can include close-ups of the side and under the car.

The new screen goes had-in-hand with a redesign of the lower console, which now offers dual wireless phone-charging pads in place of the previous model's single unit (which was also hidden in a lidded storage space). Two pads is a luxury of course, but in typical Toyota fashion the finish is hard and shiny, so the phones tend to slide around in quite an annoying way unless they're wearing grippy cases.

There's still no glovebox in the bZ4X. But cabin storage includes a large shelf under the centre console (home to the handbook, which would normally go in... the glovebox) and a box between the front seats that has a nifty double-hinged lid as per the new RAV4; it can swing open to the left or right.

The bZ4X remains a roomy and practical family EV. The Motion is upholstered in synthetic leather, which is relatively soft and welcoming for this type of material... but we still prefer the fabric in the base Pure model. It's more comfortable and more supportive.

Another upgrade for the new bZ4X is the addition of a 220V/1500W three-pin outlet in the boot, which is grunty enough to power a laptop or camping equipment. The boot itself is only class-average at 441 litres, nor do you get a frunk for extra storage.

INTERIOR

On the road: what's the Toyota bZ4X Motion like to drive?

The Motion is swift-but-smooth. It doesn't serve up neck-snapping acceleration off the line, but it does gather pace very quickly indeed once you're moving. And 0-100km/h in 5.1 seconds is nothing to scoff at; it certainly gets your attention.

There's an Eco mode to preserve range and X-Mode with adjustable grip control for off-tarmac driving (courtesy of Toyota's bZ4X partner Subaru), but no drive settings in the conventional sense: Comfort, Sport and so on.

The bZ4X is a front-drive platform at heart and there's much more power and torque being fed to that end than the back in the Motion, so it's tidy and safe in corners. You still get the impression of being pulled around rather than pushed, but it feels very controlled and the extra traction of the AWD is certainly welcome on greasy winter roads or gravel.

There's a pushbutton Eco mode to preserve range and X-Mode with adjustable grip control for off-tarmac driving (courtesy of Toyota's bZ4X partner Subaru), but no drive settings in the conventional sense: Comfort, Sport and so on. Know what? You don't really miss them in a family car like this. 

The Motion does have adjustable regeneration via steering wheel paddles, although you can't dial it up all the way to one-pedal driving.

The ride can feel a bit lumpy - certainly more so than the bZ4X Pure, which has smaller 18-inch wheels and taller-profile tyres. Nor is it quite as compliant as its Lexus RZ cousin (which we tested just before this car), despite the remarkably similar underpinnings, because the Lexus has frequency selective damping at the front that helps guide it along with a bit more accuracy and absorbency.

SPECIFICATIONS

On ownership: what's the Toyota bZ4X Motion warranty and servicing situation?

The vehicle is covered for 3 years/100,000km, but extended to 5 years/150,000km if it's serviced at an authorised Toyota agent (that's called the "Platinum Warranty"). The traction battery is covered for 8 years/160,000km.

Servicing is required every 12 months/15,000km.

On the whole: what do we think of the Toyota bZ4X Motion?

The bZ4X has always been a car of contradictions. On top it sports self-consciously futuristic, slightly strange styling. But in terms of the driving and ownership experience, Toyota has gone to extremes to make the model as mainstream as possible.

That sounds like a criticism but in this case, but it's not. We love the wacky look and in an age of Chinese EV rivals that don't feel 100% ready for Kiwi roads, the bZ4X's dynamic polish and seamless ADAS execution is truly refreshing. Add in the Motion's sharp price and extra performance, and this is an EV we'd truly recommend.

Toyota bZ4X Motion FAQs

What kind of car is the Toyota bZ4X Motion?

A medium-sized family SUV.

Does the Toyota bZ4X Motion have hybrid or EV technology?

It's pure-electric.

What’s the efficiency of the Toyota bZ4X Motion?

Toyota claims 16.0kWh per 100km. A slightly larger battery and efficiency gains in the electric motors have resulted in a range of 517km (WLTP), up from the less-powerful previous model's 470km.

Is the Toyota bZ4X Motion safe?

The bZ4X has a 5-star ANCAP rating, valid until December 2031.

What safety and assistance features does the Toyota bZ4X Motion have?

What are the Toyota bZ4X Motion's main rivals?

• MGS6 Essence AWD ($63,990): MG is aiming right for the SUV mainstream with S6 BEV.
• Leapmotor C10 AWD ($64,990): Standard-looking C10 AWD is a real sleeper: 0-100km/h in 4sec.
• Tesla Model Y Premium AWD ($77,900): Model Y is a big seller, but the AWD version is a big price in this company.
• Suzuki e Vitara AWD ($64,990): Suzuki/Toyota joint venture, much smaller than bZ4X... but the same price.
• Toyota RAV4 XSE PHEV ($61,990): bZ4X is a RAV4-equivalent BEV. So here's an equivalent plug-in RAV4.