Toyota bZ4X
The Toyota bZ4X, marketed as simply the Toyota bZ in North America and Ireland since 2025, is a battery electric compact crossover SUV manufactured by Toyota. A Subaru version is marketed as the Subaru Solterra. Lexus also offers a sibling model of the bZ4X, the Lexus RZ.
The vehicle debuted in April 2021 as the "bZ4X Concept". It is the first vehicle to be based on the e-TNGA platform co-developed by Toyota and Subaru, and the brand's first model to be part of their Toyota bZ series of zero-emissions vehicles.
Worldwide sales of the bZ4X started out in mid-2022, with production planned in Japan and China. Sales in the United States also started in 2022. When first introduced, Toyota said it would be the first of seven "bZ" models to be launched globally by 2025; however, the company fell far short of that goal and began to move away from the bZ naming convention in 2025.
The model received a major refresh in 2025, initially for Europe and North America, with design updates and major mechanical improvements such as more efficient motors, improved cooling, and higher power output. For North America and Ireland, the model was renamed to Toyota bZ. An extended length, station wagon-like version was also introduced as the bZ Woodland in North America, and as the bZ4X Touring in Europe. A Subaru version of the extended length version is marketed as the Subaru Trailseeker.
Name
According to Toyota, the meaning of the "bZ4X" nameplate breaks down into:- "bZ": for "beyond Zero" emissions, representing the nature of a battery-electric vehicle by going "beyond Zero" emissions,
- "4": from the equivalent-sized Toyota RAV4 and the
- "X": describing it as a compact crossover SUV.
Overview
The bZ4X Concept was revealed on 19 April 2021 and was presented at Auto Shanghai the same day. While it is revealed as a concept vehicle, the vehicle appeared to be nearly production-ready. The bZ4X is similar in size to the RAV4, but stood lower with sharper styling and a longer wheelbase that matches the larger Highlander's. The vehicle has been developed in conjunction with Subaru, which is said to have had input into the car's all-wheel drive system.
Design
The total length is comparable to a RAV4, but the wheelbase of is similar to that of the Land Cruiser, giving the bZ4X a large interior space. The e-TNGA platform was jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru, with Toyota receiving credit for battery and eAxle development and Subaru for the all-wheel-drive control and collision safety.In some markets, the bZ4X is available with an optional steer-by-wire system. The steer-by-wire system was developed for the Chinese market and will be available with a yoke in lieu of a conventional steering wheel. Combined with the low instrument panel, Toyota stated the yoke provides a more open interior.
Original models
The bZ4X is powered by an e-Axle unit that integrates the electric motor, gears, and inverter, manufactured by BluE Nexus, a joint venture between Toyota Group companies Aisin and Denso, with investment from Toyota. Front-wheel-drive models use a single 1XM e-Axle rated at, while all-wheel-drive models use dual 1YM e-Axles rated at each, for a combined output of.FWD models have an estimated range of and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds. AWD models have an estimated range of and a 0–100 km/h time of 6.9 seconds. AWD versions feature the 'X-MODE' all-wheel-drive system, sourced from the Subaru Forester.
FWD variants are equipped with a 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack supplied by Prime Planet Energy & Solutions, a joint venture between Toyota and Panasonic. AWD models for the North American market use a 72.8 kWh pack supplied by CATL. Both battery types operate at 355 volts and support DC fast charging: up to 150 kW for FWD models and up to 100 kW for AWD models. The battery is expected to retain 90% of its original capacity over a ten-year period.
Using a fast charger, the PPES battery can charge to 80% capacity in approximately 30 minutes. However, AWD models with the CATL battery were subject to criticism, as charging from 0–80% could take up to one hour, and vehicles were limited to three fast-charging sessions per day.
An optional roof-mounted solar panel system can generate enough electricity to provide an estimated of range per year. The vehicle was originally announced to support bidirectional charging and act as a power supply in vehicle-to-home or vehicle-to-load applications, but as of 2025, such functionality has not yet been enabled for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 models. Toyota is actively testing this feature with both San Diego Gas and Electric and PEPCO.
| Model | Chassis code | Electric motor | Power | Torque | Range |
| XEAM10 | 1× BluE Nexus eAxle 1XM | ||||
| YEAM15 | 2× BluE Nexus eAxle 1YM | per motor; total |
2025 facelift
In May 2025, Toyota announced a mid-cycle refresh for the vehicle, introducing several updates aimed at addressing criticisms of the outgoing model. As part of the update, the model name was changed for the North American and Irish markets from Toyota bZ4X to simply Toyota bZ.Among the most significant changes are to the vehicles DC fast charging capabilities, allowing the vehicle to charge from 10% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes. The outgoing model had been widely criticized for its poor charging performance, with some versions requiring up to an hour to reach 80% charge and being limited to only three DC fast charging sessions per day. The improved charging performance is enabled by an improved charging curve and a new battery pre-conditioning feature, made possible by an upgraded heat pump system that warms the battery prior to charging. However, charging still caps out at a maximum of 150 kW, behind some competitors and on par with others. The onboard AC charger has been upgraded from a 7.6kW unit to an 11kW unit, improving Level 2 charging performance.
For the North American market, the vehicle adopts the North American Charging Standard port. The port was located on the front right side instead of front left side. The vehicle gains Plug & Charge functionality, both changes improving compatibility with the Tesla Supercharger network.
The refresh introduces a larger lithium-ion battery with a total capacity of, offering a manufacturer-estimated range of up to. This battery is standard on all grades except the base XLE FWD, which will use a battery. A new XLE FWD Plus trim offers the larger battery, bringing the total number of trims to five: XLE FWD, XLE FWD Plus, XLE AWD, Limited FWD, and Limited AWD.
Powertrain enhancements include updated BluE Nexus eAxle motors that utilize silicon carbide semiconductors, contributing to higher power output. All-wheel drive models uprated to deliver a combined, a 50% increase over the previous version, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.9 seconds. Front-wheel drive models also see an increase, uprated to produce up to.
Interior updates address several user complaints. The plastic frame that previously separated the steering wheel from the digital gauge cluster has been removed. A larger 14-inch infotainment display replaces the earlier 12.3-inch screen, and included physical knobs for volume and climate control, which were notably absent and frequently criticized in the previous model.
Exterior changes include revised styling, most notably the adoption of Toyota's new "Hammerhead"-style front fascia, as well as the replacement of the divisive black plastic overfenders with available color-matched panels for select colors.
Markets
Japan
The Japanese market-spec bZ4X was announced in April 2022 and launched on 12 May 2022. The model is only available for lease through the company's Kinto service to "eliminate customer concerns" regarding battery electric vehicles while "taking the environment into consideration".In the first phase, up to 3,000 lease applications will be accepted starting from 12 May; a second phase will follow in fall 2022, and Toyota/Kinto plan to lease up to 5,000 vehicles per year thereafter.
The bZ4X is available in one grade, Z, with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. Specific packages include a choice of roof and wheel size. The car is available with one of two interior colors and one of eleven exterior colors.
North America
The North American market-spec bZ4X was unveiled at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show, with its specifications also detailed by that time, including its on-sale date set in mid-2022, for the 2023 model year. Toyota-estimated range for the front-wheel-drive XLE model is up to.At launch, American buyers qualify for the full federal tax subsidy for purchasing an electric vehicle; each automobile manufacturer may sell up to 200,000 cars that qualify for the tax credit. Because Toyota plug-in hybrid vehicles also qualify for the tax credit, the credits are anticipated to be exhausted shortly after the launch of the bZ4X. The bZ4X is not eligible for electric vehicle incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act because it is made in Japan, not the US, Canada, or Mexico.