car news

What’s new?

A lot. Not only has the Toyota bZ4X received a sharpened look, it also has a new dashboard, more powerful powertrains, greater range (up to 569 km WLTP) AND more towing capacity. Even the charging process has been scrutinized, with battery preconditioning and a better cooling system. We walk through all the improvements in a nutshell.

Tighter in the suit

On the front end now adorns sharpened “hammerhead” face. The headlights are placed a bit lower and are connected by an LED strip. The wheel arches feature gloss black piano paint and the new wheels are extra aerodynamic. On the underside, the bZ4X has been smoothed for better air conduction. The panoramic roof has gotten bigger – because the center pillar is gone. And no, your ordered bZ4X won’t say “prototype” anywhere soon. Our test car does still carry that label on the sides, because we are driving well before the market launch. Yet – apart from a few minor details – this is the car as you can soon expect it to be on the road.

Inside

If you open the door, you immediately see that the interior has also been given a major overhaul. The dashboard is sleek and horizontal, with a 14-inch central touchscreen as eye-catcher. The center console has been lowered and now offers more legroom as well as extra storage space. Two wireless phone chargers are standard. And in the rear, you get USB ports and vents closer to the rear passengers. Ambient lighting is also included, with a choice of 64 colors.

New powertrains: up to 343 hp

The real news is actually in the improved technology. The updated bZ4X now offers a choice of the following three powertrains:

• 57.7 kWh battery + 123 kW (167 hp), FWD
• 73.1 kWh battery + 165 kW (224 hp), FWD
• 73.1 kWh battery + 252 kW (343 hp), AWD

Especially the latter – the All-Wheel Drive – is considerably more powerful than its predecessor. The electric motors – which Toyota calls “eAxles” – have also been significantly modified. They are not only stronger, but also lighter, quieter and more energy-efficient. Also good to know: the all-wheel-drive bZ4X can tow up to 1,500 kilos. That’s twice as much as the previous model. So you can hitch up a caravan or take a trailer full of bicycles to the mountains without worry.

Faster charging, especially in the cold

Toyota has also paid close attention to charging – especially in cold weather. Thanks to a new battery preconditioning feature – fun Scrabble word – the car charges faster in low temperatures. You can have that feature activated automatically when you navigate to a fast-charging station, or manually turned on via the screen. As a result, it takes you not 50 minutes but half an hour to charge to 80 percent. The new 22 kW on-board charger (standard on more deluxe versions) provides faster charging times with AC charging.  

There are two battery options: 57.7 and 73.1 kWh. The larger battery offers up to 569 km of range (WLTP). The battery technology is not quite flawless yet: you cannot fast charge the bZ4X endlessly in succession. After five times in one day, a limit kicks in to protect the battery from excessive wear. It will rarely happen in practice, but if you often take long trips across Europe, it’s good to keep this in mind.

Efficiency and comfort

The platform has also been addressed. With improvements to chassis, suspension, steering and shock absorbers, the redesigned Toyota bZ4X feels slightly more stable and comfortable. Less sway, more control – especially at higher speeds. The car’s floor is stiffer, and new sealant in the structure helps dampen vibrations. Even the gearbox has become quieter, according to Toyota, thanks to polished gears. We don’t notice these kinds of refinements immediately – for that we would have to test the old and new models “back-to-back” – but what is clear is that the bZ4X is a pleasant travel companion.

We try out the extra power on a wet test track. There the almost 350 hp strong top version shows what it has to offer. It takes off smoothly and is nice and tight through the corner. The brakes also impress. Even after 15 minutes of hard braking, as you (hopefully) will never have to do on public roads, they remain powerful and easy to control. Anyone looking for just a little more punch in their daily transport will find this version an interesting candidate.

Conclusion

Building electric cars is not that easy. Both Toyota and Volkswagen got off to a false start – think of the first ID.3 and bZ4X, which didn’t feel quite finished. But like Volkswagen, Toyota has also straightened things out considerably. The bZ4X is now improved on all fronts, and every detail has been tinkered with in terms of technology, ride comfort and finish. The result: a mature EV with a comfortable driving experience and a solid range.

Only in the area of fast charging is there still room for growth – it could be just a bit faster and preferably without restrictions on frequent fast charging. But otherwise the bZ4X is completely ready for its second round. The updated bZ4X is expected at Dutch dealers in December. What it will cost, we will hear later this year. In the video below, we tell you more:

Toyota bZ4X (2025): much-needed update – SNEAK PREVIEW – AutoRAI TV