Toyota bZ4X to Get Much-Needed Power, Range Boost
Despite achieving respectable sales, the Toyota bZ4X has been a disappointment since launching in 2023. The fact is that it lags well behind many rivals in terms of power, range, charging speeds and technology, among other things.
Oh sure, improvements were made for 2024, followed by equipment revisions and price cuts for 2025, but it’s going to take more than that to be seriously competitive in the electric crossover segment. That’s why Toyota today introduced an upgraded and more advanced bZ4X—at least in Europe.
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Where the single-motor, front-wheel-drive variant is concerned, 57.7kWh and 73.1kWh batteries are available. Forget the former, since it comes with a power output of just 165 hp, but the latter offers 221 hp instead of the 201 hp we currently have (with a 71.4kWh battery).
Meanwhile, the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive bZ4X receives the same 73.1kWh battery. More powerful electric motors with silicon carbide semiconductors bring the total to 338 hp, an enormous bump over the 215 hp of the existing model (and more than the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6). The acceleration time from 0-100 km/h is shortened from 6.9 to 5.1 seconds, incredibly, and towing capacity is doubled to 1,500 kg (towing is not even recommended in North America at the moment).
Progress has also been made when it comes to range. With the larger battery, Toyota claims 573 km or 520 km depending on the drivetrain, based of course on the WLTP standard. Once adjusted to reflect the North American test cycles, these figures should easily trump the 406 km and 367 km we're used to.
Although maximum DC fast-charging capacity is unchanged at 150 kW, a new battery preconditioning system should speed up charging sessions in cold weather. What's more, thanks to a new 11kW (standard) or 22kW (optional) on-board charger, Level 2 charging will be faster, too.
There are a couple more things to talk about. The exterior has been mildly refreshed, while the interior features a new 14-inch touchscreen replacing the 12.3-inch unit. The centre console houses two wireless charging pads for smartphones. Sadly, unlike the Subaru Solterra, the bZ4X retains a circular steering wheel that makes it hard to see some of the driving data. Noise levels and ride quality have also been improved.
The newly revised Toyota bZ4X will go on sale in Europe in late summer before launching in Canada probably by the end of the year as a 2026 model. Specific details for the Canadian market will be announced at a later date.
