Toyota bZ4X vs Toyota RAV4

That’s not surprising, considering how people have adopted SUVs of every size as their favourite kind of vehicle. Back in the mid-1990s, the original RAV4 (Recreational Activity Vehicle with 4WD) ushered in the era of the crossover. Almost 30 years later, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 helps to set standards in its segment, available with gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid drivetrains in trim levels ranging from basic or sporty to rugged or upscale.

Verdict: Last redesigned in 2019, the current-generation RAV4 is nearing the end of its run. But if you’re looking for a dependable, roomy, and practical compact SUV, a 2024 RAV4 will serve you well for a long time to come.

Toyota is not known for battery-electric vehicles. Aside from the RAV4 EV models built to satisfy California regulations, Japan’s largest automaker’s quest to reduce emissions has mostly focused on hybrids like the Prius. So, the 2023 Toyota bZ4X is a major shift for the firm.

The bZ4X is Toyota’s first electric car for the North American market aimed at volume sales—and it won’t be the last. The “bZ” prefix stands for “Beyond Zero,” the name Toyota is using for a family of planned electric models. For now, the bZ4X enters a crowded market of small electric crossover SUVs, already populated with a long list of entries like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Nissan Ariya, and Volkswagen ID.4, among others.

When it comes to configurations, Toyota keeps things simple. In Canada, buyers can choose between L, LE, and XLE trim levels, and single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD) or dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) powertrains. This bZ4X review is based on our experience with the U.S. equivalent of an XLE AWD model with the Technology package.