The bZ4X has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Leaf doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.
The bZ4X has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Leaf doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.
Both the bZ4X and Leaf have rear cross-traffic warning, but the bZ4X has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Leaf’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.
Both the bZ4X and the Leaf have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.
Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Toyota bZ4X is safer than the Leaf:
|
|
bZ4X |
Leaf |
| Overall Evaluation |
GOOD |
ACCEPTABLE |
| Structure |
GOOD |
MARGINAL |
|
|
Driver Injury Measures |
|
| Head/Neck |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| Head Injury Criterion |
105 |
211 |
| Neck Tension |
156 lbs. |
201 lbs. |
| Neck Compression |
22 lbs. |
67 lbs. |
| Torso |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| Shoulder Deflection |
.51 in |
1.14 in |
| Shoulder Force |
134 lbs. |
245 lbs. |
| Pelvis |
GOOD |
ACCEPTABLE |
| Pelvis Force |
870 lbs. |
1093 lbs. |
| Head Protection |
GOOD |
GOOD |
|
|
Passenger Injury Measures |
|
| Head/Neck |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| Torso |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| Shoulder Deflection |
.63 in |
1.54 in |
| Shoulder Force |
223 lbs. |
335 lbs. |
| Torso Max Deflection |
1.18 in |
1.38 in |
| Pelvis |
GOOD |
ACCEPTABLE |
| Pelvis Force |
647 lbs. |
937 lbs. |

