Toyota bZ4X Gets Major Updates for 2026: What Changed?

The current Toyota bZ4X is disappointing

Toyota introduced the world to its first modern EV in the form of the bZ4X crossover back in 2022 to a lukewarm reception due to a rather short driving range, especially with all-wheel drive, and other downsides that limited its competitiveness. Now, the Japanese automaker is making major improvements to its electric crossover. In a recent press release, Toyota unveiled some of the changes made for the European market along with information regarding two upcoming models.

The 2026 Toyota bZ4X will offer up to a 356-mile range

Toyota’s answer to the Tesla Model Y is expected to have two updated battery packs for the 2026 model year. The 57.7 kWh battery acts as the entry-level unit and is only available in front-wheel drive models. The single 165-horsepower electric motor is now more efficient, with an expected range of 276 miles. For reference, the 2025 Toyota bZ4X comes with a 71.4 kWh battery that’s rated for 252 miles when paired with FWD.

The Japanese automaker has announced two additional versions of the bZ4X, both of which come with a 73.1 kWh battery. The less powerful of the two models boasts 221 horsepower and a 356-mile range. Toyota injected the flagship bZ4X with a touch more power, with the most powerful model delivering 338 horsepower. It can hit 60 mph in 5.1 seconds and comes with standard all-wheel drive. Even with over 300 horsepower, the 2026 Toyota bZ4X has a range of 323 miles.

In its current form, the 2025 Toyota bZ4X comes equipped with a 72.8 kWh battery that offers a lackluster 228-mile range when equipped with all-wheel drive. In that form, the EV’s electric motors produce 214 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque. While the $37,070 price tag is on the lower end, the bZ4X can’t match competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ford Mustang Mach-e, and Tesla Model Y.

The Toyota bZ4X gets a handful of other game-changing updates

Performance and range aren’t the only changes Toyota’s crossover gets going into the 2026 model year. The 2026 Toyota bZ4X’s batteries will come with pre-conditioning that improves high-speed charging in colder weather, but its DC charging speed is still, unfortunately, capped at 150 kW. That’s a good deal less than the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which offers charging speeds up to 350 kW. While Toyota claims the bZ4X can charge from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes, the Ioniq 5 does the same in just 18 minutes. The 2026 bZ4X can also tow up to 3,306 lbs., roughly double the towing capacity of the current model.

Toyota has also improved the energy density of both battery packs and increased the number of cells to better the bZ4X’s range. The electric motors have also seen improvements, namely through the inclusion of silicon carbide semiconductors. Inside, the 2026 bZ4X gets a handful of improvements in the name of practicality. There’s a new 14-inch touchscreen display that now includes climate controls, as well as a simplified digital instrument cluster.

We’re still waiting for Toyota to tell us when the updated bZ4X will hit our shores, but there’s no guarantee the spec sheet will be identical to the European version. The 2026 Toyota bZ4X is expected to arrive in Europe towards the end of 2025 alongside two all-new EVs, the Urban Cruiser and C-HR+. The former will share its powertrain and battery options with the bZ4X.

Final thoughts

Huzzah! It looks like Toyota is finally taking the EV segment seriously. Improved battery tech and electric motors are sure to make the bZ4X a much more competitive electric crossover. The Japanese automaker has been fairly slow on the uptake when it comes to EVs, instead choosing to focus on their hybrid technology. With an updated bZ4X on the horizon, however, not to mention two new EVs, Toyota could remind the industry why it’s the world’s largest automaker by sales volume.