Toyota hasn’t said when the refreshed bZ4X will arrive Stateside
4 hours ago
- The 2026 bZ4X can be optioned with a new 57.7 kWh battery or a 73.1 kWh unit.
- Driving the top-spec model are two electric motors with a combined 338 hp (252 kW).
- Toyota has also doubled the electric SUV’s towing capacity to 3,306 lbs (1,500 kg).
The Toyota bZ4X was supposed to be the brand’s answer to the Tesla Model Y, and the slew of other similarly-sized electric SUVs on the market, but it’s never really taken off the way Toyota would have hoped (although sales did double last year in the US). Not dissuaded by this, Toyota has updated it for the 2026 model year in Europe, and it promises to be better in all areas. This new model will also be available in the US.
The most significant changes come on the battery front. New to the bZ4X range is an entry-level 57.7 kWh battery pack. This lithium-ion pack is the same one available in the new C-HR+ and available exclusively in the base front-wheel drive model. This version has a 165 hp (123 kW) electric motor and promises a WLTP range of 276 miles (445 km).
Read: Toyota And Subaru’s Next Joint Electric SUV Coming In 2026
Two other versions of the bZ4X have been announced, both with a new 73.1 kWh battery pack. The lesser of these models packs 221 hp (165 kW) and can travel 356 miles (573 km) on a charge, while the flagship all-wheel drive model has 338 hp (252 kW) and a quoted range of 323 miles (520 km). Perhaps most impressive is that this version needs just 5.1 seconds to hit 62 mph (100 km/h) – not bad for an unassuming Toyota SUV.
Toyota says it’s improved the energy density of both packs and also increased the number of cells used in each. Improvements have also been made to the electric motors and they now include silicon carbide semiconductors.
Charging Improvements
Several other improvements have been made. For example, the new bZ4X comes equipped with battery pre-conditioning that will allow for more efficient high-speed charging in cold conditions. The onboard AC charger on high-spec models now sports 22 kW, rather than 11 kW, but peak DC charging speed remains capped at 150 kW, which is less than some of the competition. Toyota is aiming for a 10-80% charge in approximately 30 minutes. Shoppers will also be pleased to hear the bZ4X’s towing capacity has been doubled to 3,306 lbs (1,500 kg).
Few changes have been made to the exterior of the EV, other than some minor tweaks to improve aerodynamics at the front end. Plenty of alterations have been made to the cabin. Key upgrades include a simplified digital instrument cluster and a new 14-inch screen that ditches the separate climate control switches of the old model.
