2025 Toyota bZ4X prototype review – facelifted EV gets much needed updates

Following its launch back in 2021, a comprehensive update is coming for the Toyota bZ4X. With new batteries, faster charging and a new interior, could it fix the issues many had with the original...

Updated22 October 2025

Price from £39,995 | On sale January 2026

Being a trailblazer is a double-edged sword. You see, while it puts you ahead of the curve, it also means there’s an expectation that you’ll always stay ahead of the game. For Toyota, that meant the pressure was on when it released its first fully electric car, the Toyota bZ4X.

Since its launch, the bZ4X has sold fairly well across the globe, but there’s always room for improvement, so Toyota has planned a comprehensive facelift that’s based on customer feedback. The changes include everything from more powerful motors and longer ranges between charges, to suspension tweaks and a new infotainment touchscreen.

But do those updates make the new bZ4X even more of a match for rival electric SUVs including the Kia EV6 and Tesla Model Y? We got behind the wheel of a pre-production version to find out and to see how things are shaping up.

What’s the new Toyota bZ4X like to drive?

One of the places where the bZ4X has long fallen behind its rivals is range, and that’s something Toyota has sought to fix. As such, the existing bZ4X’s 71.4kWh battery has been replaced by one with an increased capacity and efficiency.

With a battery capacity of 73.1kWh (usable capacity has yet to be confirmed), the front-wheel-drive bZ4X will officially cover up to 352 miles compared with 318 miles for the previous version. That’s much better, but still not as far as an EV6 RWD (361 miles) or Model Y Long Range RWD (387 miles).

The bZ4X’s maximum charging rate remains 150kW, but thanks to a new battery pre-conditioning system, the 10-80% charging time has been dropped by two minutes to 28 minutes. Meanwhile the Model Y can charge up to 250kW, while the EV6 can charge up to 350kW and takes 18 minutes for a 10-80% charge.

On top of the new battery, the power of the bZ4X’s electric motor has been increased from 201bhp to 221bhp. We’re not sure you’ll feel the 0.1 second decrease in the 0-62mph sprint time but that’s not really an issue because the bZ4X was already fast enough for most, getting up to speed really easily.

In front-wheel drive guise, the bZ4X’s official sprint time of 7.4 seconds is faster than the EV6 RWD (7.7 seconds), but anyone wanting to go even faster will want the four-wheel drive version. With an additional 117bhp electric motor on the rear axle, the 0-62mph sprint is cut to 5.1 seconds, faster than the Model Y Long Range Rear-wheel drive but still not as quick as the Model Y AWD.

Unlike the existing bZ4X, the new version will be available with a smaller 57.7kWh battery paired with a 165bhp electric motor on the front axle and an official range of 274 miles. Costing less than the bigger battery and with a 0-62mph sprint of 8.6 seconds, it’s aimed at buyers who don’t plan on driving long distances often.

We find the bZ4X in its current form to have a more supple ride than the Model Y, matching the comfort of the EV6. This new version’s suspension has been tweaked and, while the changes are subtle, it does feel slightly more controlled over undulating terrain.

To help with handling, overall rigidity has been increased and the delay between you turning the steering wheel and the car reacting sped up by 30%, while retaining the natural steering weight. Paired with Toyota’s Active Cornering Control (a system that brakes the inside wheels to remove understeer), the bZ4X is keener to turn into corners. We’d still stop short of calling it fun to drive, but it’s certainly competent as you hustle it down the road.

Slowing down is easy, thanks to the natural weighting of the brake pedal and brake regeneration that can be increased or decreased by new paddles attached to the steering wheel.

What’s the new Toyota bZ4X like inside?

Inside, the most obvious update is the redesigned dashboard and centre console. It’s a definite improvement on the old one, especially when it comes to usability.

For starters, the position and design of the digital instrument panel has been changed, helping to remove the issue of the display being blocked by the steering wheel. What’s actually shown to you on the screen hasn’t really changed, but Toyota has added more information when you’re charging, including the amount of time it’ll take to charge to 80%.

While we’re on the topic of screens, the infotainment touchscreen has been increased in size from 12.3in to 14in. For the most part, the system is the same, with the same sharp graphics but the same slightly sluggish response to your inputs. One great new addition is EV-specific features on the sat-nav, allowing the car to find appropriate public EV chargers along your route and pre-condition the battery for faster charging.

When it comes to the centre console between front seat occupants, the drive selector and physical controls have been moved back and, depending on trim level, a pair of wireless phone charging pads put in its old position. That’s a nice addition but, if you don’t have a large phone, the pads aren’t great at holding your phone in place when you’re on the move.

If you want to know more about the bZ4X’s interior space and practicality, read our Toyota bZ4X review.

New Toyota bZ4X verdict

Three trims will be available with the new bZ4X: Icon, Design and Excel. Entry-level Icon trim comes exclusively with the smaller battery, and includes heated front seats, two wireless phone chargers, ambient lighting, a powered tailgate and a blind spot monitor.

If you want the larger battery, you'll need to opt for Design or Excel trim. Design trim adds a panoramic parking monitor, puddle lights that project images on the ground and a windscreen de-icer.

Stepping up to top-spec Excel adds the option of all-wheel drive, though you can also have it with front-wheel drive. It gets 20in alloy wheels, heated, ventilated and power adjustable front seats, heated rear seats, a digital rear-view mirror and synthetic leather upholstery on the seats. It also comes with a 22kW charger for faster AC charging.

Prices for the new bZ4X start at £39,995, which undercuts the current model, as well as the Kia EV6 RWD 84kWh and Tesla Model Y RWD. Prices for the AWD bZ4X start at £51,545, again undercutting AWD versions of both of the aforementioned rivals.

Even so, while we’ve only tried a pre-production version, it looks like the new bZ4X will improve on many of the issues that were present in the previous car. Indeed, the range is now far more competitive and it drives better than it did before.

What Car? rating 3 stars of of 5

New Toyota bZ4X price and specs

Price £45,795 Engine 73.1kWh battery and electric motor Power 221bhp Torque 198lb ft Gearbox 1-spd automatic, FWD 0-62mph 7.4sec Top speed 99mph Range 354 miles CO2/tax 0g/km, 2%