• Build quality is impressive
• Big, clear infotainment screen
• Excellent ergonomics

How is the quality and layout?

No surprises here, with excellent build quality, trim and materials. Much thought has been put into the touchpoints with everything you lay your hands on feeling like it’s been made to last. You won’t find rattling trim pieces or overly flexible materials here, and it feels built to survive a nuclear apocalypse.

The bZ4X has an interior layout unlike any current Toyota and none the worse for it. For a start, you sit low, with a small steering wheel ahead of you and a digital gauge cluster set so you look over the top of the wheel at it rather than through.

It’s a similar set-up to Peugeot’s i-Cockpit, and we found it similarly divisive with some of our fellow drivers simply unable to find a comfortable driving position. The taller you are, the easier to seems to be to get comfortable.

Infotainment and tech

As with most modern SUVs, the bZ4x’s interior is dominated by its high-set centre console which accommodates a huge, 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system on most models. We like that it’s not surrendered to the curse of complete touchscreen control for everything, with a smattering of nice-to-use buttons and toggles beneath the main screen.

The infotainment is genuinely good to use, which is a relief considering some of Toyota’s recent under-developed efforts in this department. You get slick graphics and a responsive interface, which is more than enough for most drivers. Below this you’ll also find a new and pleasing-to-use rotary dial to engage drive, reverse or neutral.

Further back there’s a wireless phone charger, underneath a cover to prevent temptation, two cupholders, and a deep central storage cubby, plus more storage underneath.

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Comfort

• Comfortable in the front
• Ventilated seats available
• A bit dark in the rear

The seats really are supportive and you’ll find yourself happily taking this car on long journeys without discomfort. There’s plenty of adjustment and the ‘driving position memory’ system is a nice touch, adjusting your steering wheel and door mirror positions when you get in.

Ventilated front seats are also available as an option on the higher-grade models, and work very well indeed, offering cold air to your back. This system uses less energy than traditional air conditioning, something important for an EV on a long journey.

Rear space is adequate, aided by the flat floor, but it gets pretty dark back there if you don’t opt for the panoramic roof.