Mat’s Car of the Day: Toyota is the best at making sensible cars, and this electric SUV is as sensible as it gets

I love Toyotas. I own three myself, and it makes everything from rally-bred hot hatches to super-economical family cars.

But today I want to talk about its first electric car: the bZ4X. It may have turned up a few years after the Volkswagen ID4, but it’s a case of good things coming to those who wait. I really like the bZ4X, and I’ve also found a great lease deal on one through Carwow.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

Toyota bZ4X lease deals

I’ve found a three-year, 30,000-mile lease deal on the Toyota bZ4X for £289 per month with a £3,820 initial payment. That’s around £20 per month less than a Skoda Enyaq would cost over the same term and mileage.

In short, over three years the Toyota works out £761 cheaper, and you’re not getting the basic version for this price either.

It’s the mid-spec Design model, which comes with a larger battery giving you up to 352 miles of range. That’s over 75 miles more than the standard car, and you also get adaptive cruise control, heated front seats, wireless phone charging and a 360-degree camera.

Three good things about the Toyota bZ4X

After giving the bZ4X a thorough test, here are three reasons I think you should add this car to your shortlist.

1. I like the interior

The bZ4X has a really interesting cabin. It looks futuristic with the digital driver’s display set above the steering wheel, and the way the centre console sweeps up into the large touchscreen looks good as well. Material quality is also decent, although not quite as good as in a Peugeot E-3008.

2. It’s really nice to drive

Toyota puts a lot of time and effort into making its cars drive as well as they can, and the bZ4X performs better on the road than a Nissan Ariya. It’s comfortable over bumps, easy to navigate around town and it’s quiet on the motorway. I like the steering as well – it’s got plenty of feeling on a twisty road.

3. There’s loads of space in the back seats

If you’ve got a pair of lanky teenagers to ferry around, they’ll have no complaints in the back of the bZ4X. There’s loads of legroom, decent headroom and you get decent-sized door bins as well. The easy-access ISOFIX points also make it really easy to fit a baby seat.

Three annoying things about the Toyota bZ4X

No car is perfect, and the bZ4X is no exception. Here are three annoying things to consider before buying.

1. Sub-par storage space

It may be great for carrying people, but the 452-litre boot places the bZ4X behind most alternatives in terms of luggage space. A Skoda Enyaq has a 585-litre boot, and it also has a glovebox. Bizarrely, that’s something the Toyota does without.

2. Fiddly controls

The interior may look pretty cool, but some of the controls are a bit baffling. You operate most of the driver aids through the digital driver’s display using buttons on the steering wheel, which is way more time-consuming than just putting them on the central touchscreen.

3. No rear wiper

Why does the Toyota bZ4X not have a rear wiper? I get that air passing over the sloping roofline is meant to pull the water off, but what about when you’re just setting off, or pootling around town? It’s not like the reversing camera is much help, because it’s super grainy and low-def.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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