2026 Toyota bZ4X review

Toyota Australia is starting to get serious about electric vehicles (EVs) in this market.

Up against an onslaught of electric offerings from China and elsewhere, the Japanese auto giant has upped the ante with an updated and upgraded version of its first EV, the bZ4X mid-size electric SUV.

Toyota has slashed pricing, added buyer incentives, improved the standard spec, given it more EV driving range, and a slight styling upgrade, too. And for the entry-level 2WD variant tested here, the brand has pushed particularly hard.

So, is the bZ4X finally the EV with which the world’s biggest automaker can compete with the top-selling Tesla Model Y? Read on to find out. 

How much does the Toyota bZ4X cost?

This is how Toyota could win over coin-conscious customers – significantly lower list pricing, and extra incentives for buyers, too.

The entry-level single-motor front-wheel drive (2WD) version has received a massive price cut of $10,010 compared to its predecessor, but that’s despite adding seemingly thousands of bucks worth of additional equipment and tech.

Meanwhile, the all-wheel drive (AWD) flagship now starts at $67,990 plus on-roads – down $6910.

See below for all the new stuff that’s been added to this base model – in addition to the hefty price reduction.

What’s more, in another plus for customers who buy before the end of 2026, there is some incentive for both private charging (a free 7kW Jet Charge system for your home or office) and public charging (a 12-month or 625kWh credit at Chargefox locations). 

And for private buyers, Toyota Australia may include a “limited-time deposit contribution” of $5000 for the bZ4X 2WD and $7500 for the AWD, for those who purchase through the company’s finance arm.

Toyota’s move follows recent price cuts by Subaru for its updated Solterra, the bZ4X’s twin, of between $6000 and $7000.

It should be noted that, if you’re okay with less gear and you’re keen on a Toyota EV, there are still heaps of existing bZ4X vehicles in stock for far less than the new model costs…!

To see how the Toyota bZ4X lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

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What is the Toyota bZ4X like on the inside?

The biggest change to the updated bZ4X from an interior perspective is the addition of a larger touchscreen media system, which also acts as the control centre for nearly all major functions in the car.

It is a more high-tech experience thanks to the bigger display, which steps up from a 12.3-inch screen to a more squared-off 14.0-inch unit, familiar from Lexus models.

It runs the same software setup as other Toyota group products, and in some ways it feels a bit unfinished. Some of the menus are a bit misleading, and you might struggle to make adjustments to a number of things if the car is moving. That can be annoying.

And while there is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly available, the software will also limit things like navigation address input when you’re driving (unless you speak it, and that can be hit and miss, right?).

One thing I like about the system is that there is a hard-set panel at the bottom that allows you to adjust your car settings, including a sub-menu for safety and car settings adjustments, and there are dials for climate control settings, too. The on-screen touch buttons are there for fan speed, steering wheel and seat heating controls, while further below the touchscreen is where you’ll find buttons for the demister controls for the front and rear windscreens (and mirrors!).

The controls are basic and simple, really, compared to many of the bZ4X’s rivals that embrace the touchscreen-ageddon approach. 

And the driver has a number of physical buttons on the steering wheel, including cruise control/lane trace triggers, plus volume and media controls, and the stalks are conventional, too. Between the seats is a push-and-twist gear selector dial, as well as a park button, not to mention buttons for the electric park brake, auto-hold function, and Snow and Eco Mode, plus a camera view button to get a quick glimpse of your surroundings.

One huge plus for the bZ4X is the addition of twin wireless phone charging docks, which make it handy for couples to easily dump their phones in. Beware though, some phones may move around a bit, depending on the cover fitted. 

Under those chargers is a spot for your owner’s manual or logbooks, because the bZ4X doesn’t have a glovebox – that helps free up some space, but mightn’t be practical for all owners.

Drink storage is well considered, with cup holsters between the seats, and there are bottle holders in the doors, though those pocket sections aren’t lined. Between the seats is a centre console bin with a dual-directional lid – meaning it can open towards the passenger or away from them.

Overhead there is an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and illuminated vanity mirrors, but the visors aren’t extendable. There are grab handles for all occupants.

And the seats? Comfy, supportive, and thankfully with a bit of a design flourish to them – because otherwise it’s a pretty drab feeling space, made to feel even more cave-like by the dark headliner. 

Be mindful, the driver gets electric seat adjustment, while the passenger has manual adjustment only – and taller passengers might feel a little high-set. 

In the second row there’s a reasonable amount of space, with enough room for a six-foot adult to slot in behind another, though the toe room is a bit tight, and it’s a knees-up position too. But rear legroom is actually pretty good, and there’ll be enough room to fit three across if needed. 

Grown-ups will have a fair amount of space, including good headroom. Overhead there are grab handles but at the edges of the cabin you won’t find lighting for the rear occupants – instead, there’s a centre dome light. 

The window seats have ISOFIX points, and there are three top-tethers for child seat fitment as well, and if you’re not using the middle spot, it houses a flip-down armrest with cupholders.

The rear seatbacks also offer a level of recline, ensuring longer trips should be nap-friendly. 

There are directional air-vents, map pockets on the seatbacks, door pockets with bottle holders, and soft padding on the doors where your elbows sit, too.

And charging is taken care of with a pair of USB-C ports for rear riders, in addition to two up front.

There is even more to talk about in terms of power outlets, with a new 1500W/220V power point in the rear for vehicle-to-load capability. You could run camping gear or appliances from that, using the car’s battery pack to keep things going. Nice.

The boot has a few clever inclusions like a retractable cargo cover, but the shopping bag hooks are set too far back into the boot area to be properly useful – my shopping went flying.

The boot space is wide, and with 421 litres for the 2WD model (410L in the AWD) there is a usable amount of space here. There’s even a hidden under-floor cargo zone for cable storage, and you could also put your tyre repair kit in there – because there is no spare.

To see how the Toyota bZ4X lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

Here’s a rundown of the two different variants in the bZ4X range, and you’ll see that the 2WD tested here hits pretty hard on range and efficiency.

This version of the bZ4X has received a decent performance bump (15kW more power and 2.6Nm of extra torque), but it’s the battery capacity bump that increases its appeal the most. 

With an extra 155km of EV range based on WLTP testing, it makes a lot of sense for the money. Almost 600km for this kind of cash from the best-known brand in the country? Appealing might be understating it!

The AC charging is superb for the class too (many still have only 7kW AC), but you will need three-phase power to get the maximum 22kW charging speed. The DC fast-charge rate is strong, but not class-leading, at 150kW. 

As for what I saw in terms of efficiency on test? I was impressed. Over a few hundred kilometres of driving, including highway, commuting, urban and mixed testing, I saw a return of 14.4kWh per 100km. And I was well on track to achieve more than 515km from a full charge.

To see how the Toyota bZ4X lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How does the Toyota bZ4X drive?

The bZ4X still isn’t the driver’s choice in the mid-size electric SUV segment, because there are others out there that offer more fun and comfort.

That’s not to say this EV is a shocker – just that it’s clear the focus for this update was to improve the value equation and liveability provisions, not the drive experience. 

I don’t hate it, and you probably won’t either.

But the suspension isn’t as well sorted as with rivals like, say, the Volkswagen ID.4. It’s sharp feeling and can be lumpy over uneven surfaces at speeds above 40km/h, where at lower speeds it’s not too bad. On the freeway it settles a bit, but it’s never cosy or cushy over bumps and lumps.

The steering is predictable enough, and easy to turn for parking moves but also reassuringly weighted at highway pace.

Just be mindful if you’re picking the 2WD model that the tyres at the front axle can be overpowered by the electric motor in wet weather situations, and I even had a few moments of feeling understeer as the tyres don’t offer the best grip. 

It’s fair to say that if you live in a rain-prone area or encounter unsealed surfaces regularly, then the AWD might be a better bet. Or just buy some better tyres…?

The motor is perfectly well suited to this type of application, and while it’s not a powerhouse, it offers the instant-torque urgency that EVs are known for. 

Helping it to keep the battery as juiced up as possible is a multi-stage regenerative braking system, but annoyingly it seems to constantly revert to a less aggressive setting each time you restart the car.

If you do select the most assertive regen setting, it will be almost like a single-pedal driving experience, meaning you can drive the car using just the throttle in most situations. It won’t come down to a complete halt unless you’re facing uphill – otherwise it’ll slow down to a crawl.

The pedal feel is okay beyond the regen system, but still suffers from a lack of linearity to the pedal progress. 

Refinement levels could be better, as the bZ4X suffers notably from road noise intrusion at highway pace, especially if the road is a coarse-chip surface. 

The safety technology integration isn’t too bad – you can easily switch off the lane-keeping tech by tapping the shortcut on the screen menu if you don’t like it, and the speed sign recognition system doesn’t chime at you incessantly, either. But the newly added driver monitoring camera system is a bit annoying, and as far as I could tell it’s impossible to turn it off when you’re driving.

To see how the Toyota bZ4X lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What do you get?

Here’s a rundown of the bZ4X standard equipment list, with a number of changes in brackets for you to see what has improved beyond battery EV range and power.

2026 Toyota bZ4X 2WD standard equipment highlights:

• 18-inch alloy wheels (new design)
• Tyre repair kit
• LED headlights
• Automatic high-beam
• Headlight cleaners (NEW)
• Puddle lights (NEW)
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Rear privacy glass
• Gloss black wheel arches (NEW)
• Keyless entry and start
• Hands-free power tailgate (NEW)
• Electric parking brake
• 1500W inverter in cargo space (NEW)
• 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system (NEW)
• Satellite navigation
• 8-way power driver’s seat
• Heated front seats
• Leather-accented steering wheel
• Heated steering wheel (NEW)
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
• Paddle shifters (NEW)
• 6-speaker sound system
• 2 x wireless phone chargers (NEW)
• 2 x front USB-C outlets
• 2 x rear USB-C outlets
• Dual-zone climate control
• Electrochromatic rear-view mirror
• Toyota Connected Essentials
  • SOS emergency call
  • Automatic collision notification
• 1-year complimentary access to Toyota Connect+ incl.
  • Stolen vehicle tracking
  • Remote adjustment of locks, climate control
  • Connected Navigation

The AWD adds:

• 20-inch alloy wheels (new design)
• Rear spoiler
• Fixed panoramic glass roof
• X-Mode with 3 x off-road modes
• Semi-autonomous parking assist
• Driver’s seat memory
• Ventilated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Digital rear-view mirror
• 9-speaker JBL sound system

To see how the Toyota bZ4X lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

Is the Toyota bZ4X safe?

The existing Toyota bZ4X already had a five-star ANCAP rating from 2022 testing. 

Of course it has the standard tech and spec you’d expect to achieve a high safety score, including some new items that bring it into line with the majority of EVs in the market.

Standard safety equipment includes:

• Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Daytime cyclist detection
  • Intersection turn assist
• Adaptive cruise control
• Emergency steering assist
• Blind-spot monitoring (NEW)
• Driver monitoring camera (NEW)
• Lane-keep assist
• Parking Support Brake
• Rear cross-traffic alert (NEW)
• Safe exit assist (NEW)
• Surround-view camera (NEW)
• Speed sign recognition

It now has eight airbags, too – previously the tally was seven. There are dual front, front side, driver’s knee, front centre, and curtain coverage for both rows of window seats.

To see how the Toyota bZ4X lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How much does the Toyota bZ4X cost to run?

The standard cover is a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for the vehicle in its entirety.

Beyond that, if you service your bZ4X on time – every 12 months or 15,000km – you can expect seven years of warranty for the electric motors. Those intervals are shorter than some EV rivals, which only need servicing every two years, and some even have lengthy intervals of up to 40,000km… so the commuters out there may be better off shopping around.

Meanwhile, the high-voltage battery warranty can be extended to up to 10 years if you service with Toyota, as the brand will perform a health check at each service.

The servicing price is capped at $180 for the first five years or 75,000km.

Beyond that, you still have to pay extra for roadside assistance at Toyota – despite the fact that almost every other brand throws it in for free.

To see how the Toyota bZ4X lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

CarExpert’s Take on the Toyota bZ4X

The updated bZ4X 2WD is a far more compelling option than it used to be.

The price cuts and equipment upgrades push it from pretender to contender, and it signals a seismic adjustment for the Japanese giant’s aspirations in the EV space in Australia.

It’s not perfect, but it’s now far easier to recommend the bZ4X than it used to be, especially in 2WD spec.

CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Toyota bZ4X. Click here to get a great deal.

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MORE: Explore the Toyota bZ4X showroom