Toyota's bZ4X has been a competent but uninspiring proposition since launch. The bZ4X Touring doesn't reinvent it, but it addresses the most practical criticism. By extending the car by 140mm and adding an additional 200mm of rear body structure, Toyota created an estate variant with a 669-litre boot, 148 litres more than the outgoing model, along with standard roof rails rated to carry 300 kg stationary and 80 kg on the move, an electrified boot lid, and a tow capacity of 1,500 kg. Electrifying drove it in Slovenia to find out whether the extra length translates into a genuinely better car or just a bigger one.
Both front-wheel and all-wheel-drive versions share a 74.7 kWh battery. The front-wheel drive variant claims 366 miles of range under WLTP conditions, which requires 4.9 miles per kWh. Electrifying recorded around 3.5 miles per kWh on Slovenian roads, which works out to approximately 260 miles in real-world conditions. The all-wheel-drive version produces 380 hp and covers 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds, making it the most powerful production EV Toyota has built, though its range drops to around 297 miles on paper and likely closer to 200 miles in practice. AC charging peaks at 11 kW on the front-wheel drive model and 22 kW on all-wheel drive. DC rapid charging tops out at 150 kW across both. The front-wheel drive entry-level Design trim starts at £45,995; all-wheel drive adds approximately £6,000.
The Touring's interior reflects entry-level compromises in expected places: no glove box, some unnecessary gloss black trim, and a navigation layout that takes getting used to. The steering wheel sits low in traditional Toyota fashion, which can obscure the driver display for taller occupants. The video includes a tutorial on disabling the speed limiter alert and the driver monitoring alert through the settings menu, which is useful since both default to on. What works well is the rear seat space, which is generous for the class, two wireless charge points in the front cabin, physical steering wheel buttons, and a rear seat area that offered ample legroom for the reviewer at 5'6". On winding Slovenian roads the Touring felt settled and composed with less body roll than the size suggests.
Bottom line: The front-wheel drive Design trim is the right choice. The all-wheel drive adds performance that doesn't suit the Touring's character and costs meaningful range. At £46,000 there are sharper EVs available, but for buyers who specifically need Toyota reliability, estate practicality, and a 1,500 kg tow rating in one package, there aren't many alternatives. If deals appear on the outgoing bZ4X, wait. If you need the space now and the tow rating matters, the Touring makes sense.