Toyota bZ4X 2026: more range, more power and a lower entry price

The Toyota bZ4X has become easier to like: there are more battery and power options, improved range, and a lower entry price is on the way.

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When the Toyota bZ4X arrived in 2022, it carried the air of a slightly reluctant addition to the family. It started with the name: who thought it was a good idea to give a car a badge that could just as easily belong to a droid from the Star Wars universe?

It was also no secret that the Japanese industrial giant remained sceptical about fully electric powertrains, and only entered the 100% EV market comparatively late (in stark contrast to its hybrid technology, which is close to turning 30). This mid-size electric SUV was the model that finally marked that step.

Even so, as most car makers are being pushed to broaden their electric line-ups - Toyota has promised an offensive of dozens of new EVs by 2035 - and sharpen their know-how, the company has refreshed and expanded its electric offering. Alongside the updates, Toyota has also added an estate-like bodystyle for the bZ4X called Touring, due to arrive next spring.

That matters because the ever-growing competition - represented by models such as the Volkswagen ID.4, Skoda Enyaq and Ford Mustang Mach-E - is not standing still, and this update genuinely feels necessary.

More power and more options

The bZ4X 2026 continues to use the e-TNGA platform, but meaningful changes have been made to the drivetrain. Output from the electric motors is up, thanks to revisions to the rotors and stators that allow higher rotational speeds, while energy losses have also been reduced. It also introduces silicon carbide inverters, which are more efficient, more compact and lighter than conventional units.

Instead of the single battery size offered until now (71.4 kWh), there are now two capacities to choose from:

• 57.7 kWh - front-wheel drive; power of 123 kW (167 hp); top speed of 140 km/h; range of 442 km;
• 73.1 kWh - front-wheel drive; power of 165 kW (224 hp); top speed of 160 km/h; range of 569 km;
• 73.1 kWh - all-wheel drive; power of 252 kW (343 hp); top speed of 160 km/h; range of 506 km.

Faster charging

Charging performance (particularly in low temperatures) has also been revisited, with improvements to battery heating and the introduction of a new thermal pre-conditioning system.

One of the headline changes on the Toyota bZ4X 2026 is that - unlike some German premium manufacturers such as Porsche or Audi - it now supports 22 kW AC charging from the mid-range versions upwards (the entry model retains 11 kW). That effectively halves the 10% to 100% charging time. DC charging remains capped at a maximum of 150 kW, which leaves Toyota less competitive against rivals (10% to 80% in 30 minutes).

Four levels of energy recuperation on deceleration are available, and they can now be selected via steering-wheel paddles - something the car did not offer previously.

Dynamically competent

The front-wheel-drive version with the larger battery feels well judged, as we were able to confirm during a dynamic drive in a lightly camouflaged pre-production car.

It reaches 100 km/h in 7.4s, which is more than brisk enough. The suspension on this two-tonne bZ4X is generally tuned for comfort and filters most road imperfections from the cabin, but it cannot fully prevent noticeable body roll when you increase the pace through bends, roundabouts or other lateral-load situations.

Where it deserves praise is body/chassis integrity: with this electric variant of TNGA (e-TNGA), the structure is even stiffer thanks to the battery installation attached to the chassis.

The adaptive cruise control works flawlessly, backing off speed as soon as it detects a vehicle ahead. If another vehicle approaches from behind, a warning appears on the screen. An interior camera continuously monitors the driver and prompts them as soon as they look away from the road, even briefly.

This electric SUV also shows some genuine off-road ability. Generous axle articulation, strong ground clearance (21 cm) and a 500 mm wading depth help the bZ4X clear moderately difficult obstacles without even “ruffling its feathers”.

The most powerful Toyota in Europe

The range-topping bZ4X 2026, with all-wheel drive and 252 kW (343 hp), also becomes the most powerful series-production Toyota on sale in Europe - if we remove the limited-run Supra A90 Final Edition from the equation. A sign of the times.

We drove it briefly - it is not expected to come to Portugal - and its performance is not just a numbers exercise. It delivers a strong initial surge (5.1s from 0–100 km/h) and keeps pulling convincingly beyond 120 km/h. You can fully switch off ESP, which can lead to enjoyable slides or even long, easily controlled drifts (in suitable environments and ideally where grip is low).

It does not turn this heavy SUV into a GR Yaris, but it does make its behaviour noticeably more agile.

Back on tarmac, braking proved highly capable, including the left pedal’s progression - an “Achilles’ heel” for many electric cars. The small steering wheel also helps make driving the bZ4X genuinely engaging, if that is what you are after.

In our test, we recorded an average consumption of 15.2 kWh/100 km, which is a solid result and only slightly higher than the previous generation entry version’s official figure (14.4 kWh/100 km).

Plenty of space, but the boot could be bigger

With no changes here on the Toyota bZ4X 2026, the long wheelbase (2.85 m, 16 cm more than the RAV4) translates into a very spacious cabin - something that becomes obvious when you sit in the second row. The generous headroom accommodates rear passengers up to 1.90 m tall without compromise.

Boot capacity is 452 litres (including the underfloor area), which is lower than what almost all key competitors offer, such as the Mustang Mach-E (502 litres) or the Volkswagen ID.4 (543 litres). It also does not help that there is no frunk (front boot), unlike some rivals.

The rear seatbacks fold down in equal sections (though they do not create a completely flat load floor) and, when upright, can be set in two positions.

Interior updates

Inside, Toyota has made a few changes too. A 14-inch touchscreen is now standard (replacing the previous 12.3-inch unit), and the centre console has been lowered by 10 cm (it was overly intrusive). This creates a greater sense of space, and there is room to place two mobile phones charging at the same time.

These revisions address one of the 2022 car’s weak points: the driver felt slightly hemmed in between an overly wide door panel and the intrusive centre console, which runs counter to what you expect in most EVs, known for open and uncluttered cabins. However, there is still no glovebox, which is decidedly unusual.

There is still room for improvement in material quality. Most surfaces - even those you touch most often - are finished in hard plastic with a basic appearance. It is a flaw found in many other EVs, but one that should be addressed given the car’s high price.

Seat upholstery gives a sense of quality, although it is a pity the squabs are too short and lateral support is somewhat limited.

How much does the Toyota bZ4X 2026 cost and when does it arrive?

Toyota has not yet announced exact launch dates, but it has confirmed the bZ4X 2026 will be available in several European markets towards the end of this year. As for pricing in Portugal, there is still no indication.

The bZ4X currently on sale starts at 47 440 euros. With the introduction of the lower-capacity battery (71.4 kWh vs 57.7 kWh), there should be scope to reduce the entry price.

Technical specifications