Toyota bZ4X 2025 (2025 - )

Despite decades of hybrid know-how, Toyota was a little late coming to the party with its first dedicated battery electric vehicle arriving in 2022. It was called the bZ4X and despite looking stylish, offering nice handling and being well-equipped, it fell short in one key area – the driving range between charges.

However, the car has proved a success across Europe clocking up in excess of 150,000 sales and now Toyota has given the vehicle an extensive makeover with sharper styling, improved technology, enhanced refinement and efficiency, plus a much increased driving range.

There is a choice of three well-equipped trims. Entry-level Icon is available in front-wheel drive only and is matched to a smaller 57.7kWh battery with a range of up to 274 miles. Step up to Design and this is also FWD but gets the larger 73.1kWh battery and that sees an increase in range to 352 miles. The same battery is fitted to the high-end bZ4X Excel which is offered in FWD with a range of 319 miles or with AWD which sees the mileage drop to 292.

Prices start from £39,995, but we opted for the top-of-the-tree bZ4X Excel FWD for our extensive test drive close to the Gibraltar border. And we couldn’t resist a quick run out in the AWD version too for some off-roading fun and games.

Our front-wheel drive Toyota bZ4X Excel model featured the largest of the two batteries – a 73.1kWh unit alongside a single electric motor on the front axle. With 221bhp and 268Nm of torque, it could complete the 0-62mph dash in a very respectable 7.4 seconds and maxed out at 99mph while delivering up to 319 miles of driving range. If you’re in need of a little more pace, the AWD version with an additional 117bhp rear motor sees the sprint time reduced to 5.1 seconds, but the range is compromised and drops to 292 miles on that particular model.
But back to our test car then. The acceleration through the single-speed transmission is smooth and responsive, making light work of overtaking slower vehicles. It can cruise with ease at 70mph and the refinement levels are excellent. Toyota has listened to customer feedback and the latest car features improved dampers for a smoother ride, alongside upgraded insulation for a quieter cabin experience.
The steering is perfectly weighted and there are paddles to alter the strength of the regenerative braking with four settings to choose from. But, even in its strongest setting, it doesn’t quite bring the car to a complete standstill.
Additionally, drive modes called Normal and Eco alter the dynamics slightly, with a Snow mode for added grip in slippery conditions. There is no Sport mode, but to be honest, the bZ4X prioritises comfort over sheer pace and it does that very well indeed.
We also took the AWD drive model away from the Tarmac to experience its off-road capabilities. Initially, I thought it would be quite a soft-roading experience, but as we climbed higher into the mountains and the tracks turned to mud, the vehicle showed its true ability clambering over rocks, through water troughs and using the hill descent control to safely drop down boggy tracks. Toyota claims to have drawn on its go-anywhere Land Cruiser expertise for this car and its evident in its competency.
 

The five-door bZ4X is a family crossover with plenty of kerb appeal and the Toyota design team have been busy sharpening up the styling on this latest model.
From the front end, the distinctive ‘hammerhead’ design is instantly noticeable with slimmer headlights joined by an LED light bar. The front bumper and grille have been lowered for more of a 3D effect and the wheel arches stand out thanks to a new piano black gloss finish.
Perfecting the aerodynamics was a key challenge and that has been achieved by restyling the mirrors and rear spoiler, as well as smoothing out the underbody for improved airflow. And elsewhere, there are tinted windows, rear privacy glass, follow-me-home headlights, plus 18- or 20-inch alloy wheels depending on the trim.
Move inside and the Excel model features black synthetic leather upholstered seats and they are power-adjustable as well as offering heating and ventilation settings. 
New to the 2026 bZ4X is an upgraded 14-inch multi-media touchscreen which acts as the nerve centre and access point to the many on-board features. Creature comforts include a cloud-based navigation set-up that can suggest charging points en route, full smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a six-speaker sound system that was upgraded to a JBL system on our test car, DAB radio, reversing camera and plenty more besides.
There is a nice mix of physical and touchscreen controls and the floating centre console has been lowered by 10cms to free up extra space up front. This is where the shift connector dial and a pair of wireless charging pads are found.
All the vital driving data, such as speed and range, is viewed on a seven-inch display behind the steering wheel and the car has a more efficient climate system that is altered via practical dials which we always prefer over complicated touchscreen menus.
 

Toyota’s bZ4X is a family-focused five-door crossover that’s very easy on the eye, but covers practicality bases exceptionally well too. It stretches 4,690mm in length, is 1,860mm wide (excluding mirrors), 1,650mm tall and has a 2,850mm wheelbase. Those figures translate into a spacious cabin with a generously-sized boot too.
Up front, there’s bundles of space for a couple of six-footers to sit comfortably. And the exact same can be said for the rear space too where a further two adults can easily fit in, even with the seats pushed right back. There is seating for three, but that might be a bit of a squeeze, although it would be fine for a trio of youngsters.
The front seats are powered and, along with the steering wheel and outer rear seats, can be heated, plus there is also a ventilation function for hotter days. With the slightly elevated seating, all-round driver visibility is excellent, although the rear screen is quite narrow.
The boot is accessed via a powered tailgate and can swallow 452 litres of kit, a capacity that is easily increased further by dropping the 60:40 split-folding rear seats flat. Elsewhere there are door bins, a central cubby, a huge area beneath the floating centre console, front and back cup holders, twin wireless charging pads, some trays and four USB ports. Noticeable by its absence though is the lack of a glovebox.
The latest car also boasts faster charging which means the 57.7kWh battery can be boosted from 10 to 80 per cent in 25 minutes via a 150kW fast charger or to 100 per cent in 8 hours, 15 minutes if plugged into a 7kW wallbox. The larger 73.1kWh battery takes 30 minutes via the fast charger or 10 hours, 30 minutes if using a home charger (same percentages).
And with family breaks in mind, the bZ4X AWD version can tow a trailer or caravan weighing up to 1,500kg. The limit drops to 750kg on the FWD models.
 

Toyota has kept the pricing of the new bZ4X competitive with the entry-level Icon model with the smaller battery costing £39,995. That means it comes in just below the government’s £40k threshold for the Expensive Car Supplement saving owners the extra £425 cost over five years.

The Design grade is priced at £45,795 and features the larger battery, while the Excel model with FWD costs £48,995, increasing to £51,545 for the AWD version.
Road tax is now a cost EV owners have to pay, although the first-year fee is just £10, increasing to the standard charge of £195 after 12 months. And anyone considering the bZ4X as a company car will see an attractive Benefit in Kind tax rating of just three per cent.
All models are well equipped as standard, but owners can upgrade to superior paint and there is a Premium Pack available on Excel models. This costs £2,500 and introduces a JBL sound system, panoramic roof and bi-tone paint.
Toyota has an excellent reputation for reliability and the bZ4X comes with one of the best warranty packages in the industry. The standard three-year, 60,000-mile policy can be increased to 10 years or 100,000 miles if the car is serviced at a Toyota recognised garage. Additionally, the company’s Battery Care Programme guarantees 70 per cent of the original battery capacity will be retained for up to 650,000 miles or 10 years of use.
 

The fully electrified crossover sector is really hotting up right now and there is a constant stream of new cars arriving from China. And it’s these models that are putting pressure on more established brands due to the competitive pricing.
However Toyota has definitely upped its game with the latest bZ4X. It looks more dynamic, handles really well, is comfortable and refined, plus it comes with better efficiency and a far greater driving range between charges. 
Factor in the competitive pricing, excellent warranty package and maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and this car is certainly one to watch.