In parts of California and New York, you can lease a Toyota bZ4X electric vehicle (EV) for about what you’d pay for monthly Internet access. Toyota offers its compact electric SUV with lease payments as low as $119 monthly.
Lease deals can vary by state and even within a state. They’re not suitable for everyone because they require a good credit score and include mileage limits. Drivers can incur penalties for driving more than they expected when they signed their lease. But lease payments are often lower than loan payments – sometimes much lower. And lessees generally have the right to buy their car at the end of its lease for a price set at origination.
The bZ4X is Toyota’s only pure EV for sale in the U.S. The company plans to launch a full lineup of EVs eventually but has moved into electric cars slower than most rivals. For now, Toyota is the hybrid company, offering a gas-electric hybrid version of nearly every vehicle it builds. That strategy has helped it avoid pitfalls other automakers have fallen for as they embraced EVs faster than the market.
The bZ4X got off to an inauspicious start, with slow sales and an embarrassing early recall. The company recently reported selling just 1,897 bZ4X models in the first three months of 2024 – about as many RAV4 compact SUVs as it sells in a day and a half.
However, the bZ4X could still be a solid choice for many drivers. Our expert test driver praises its build quality, airy interior, and it’s easy-to-use natural speech voice assistant. It offers 222 miles of range in some trim levels. But that’s more than enough for most drivers’ daily commutes and errands.
It’s an ideal second car for about the cost you might be paying for several streaming services. That $119 deal comes on a 2024 bZ4X in the base XLE trim and requires $3,999 down. However, we found deals with as little as $1,999 down and $129 monthly in parts of California.
