Toyota bZ4X Touring review

The steering wheel is positioned fairly low with the driver's screen high up on the dash, so you view it over the top almost like an HUD. That works fine unless you have long legs/short arms and need the wheel set high. Or you like a reclined driving position.

Material quality is fine, though it feels more hard-wearing than design led. Fits with the exterior image, we guess. And you needn’t be too precious about it if you have kids. But a splash of colour here and there wouldn’t have done it any harm. Though the ambient lighting helps slightly at night.

What's the tech like?

The driver’s display measures 7.0in. It’s fine (as long as you can see it), and consists of a speedometer, range readout, and trip info. Far from the fanciest display we’ve ever seen, but better to focus on the essentials than suffer information overload.

In the centre of the dashboard sits a 14in infotainment display, complete with a useful set of permanent icons for the climate and a pair of twirly knobs for adjusting the cabin temperature. Again, it’s all very logical and responsive to operate, but the OS feels dated and limited in functionality. This is a common Toyota shortcoming – it is not a leader in in-car tech.

Below the screen there’s a centre console with dial-type shift selector and twin wireless device chargers for the driver and front passenger. Further back you’ll find two 60W USB charging ports. Should keep the kids happy.

Does it feel much roomier than the SUV?

The extra 140mm in length compared to the regular bZ4X is all from the C-pillar back so… not really. There’s marginally more headroom in the back, but most of the benefits are felt further back, where the boot opening's width and height have increased by 21 and 23mm respectively.

With the rear seats in place, there’s 669 litres of space available – an increase of 48 per cent compared to the bZ4X. Now we're talking. That’s also 36 litres more than you get in the Subaru E-Outback.

Fold the 60:40 split rear seats down and there’s a maximum 1,718 litres. Toyota doesn’t give a measurement for the regular bZ4X but we can say with absolute certainty that the Touring offers more. Identical to the Subaru, mind. Though like that car, the absence of a rear ski-hatch or pass-through feels like a missed trick.