2026 Toyota bZ4X Touring review

The Toyota bZ4X has taken a while to find its feet in Australia's electric vehicle (EV) market, but after nearly three years on sale it finally appears to be hitting its straps in 2026.

First came a set of sweeping changes at the start of the year – significant price cuts, more power, longer range, and extra standard equipment among them.

And now we have this: the 2026 Toyota bZ4X Touring, a new adventure-ready flagship variant that's more practical, more powerful and more versatile than the AWD model on which it's based, without costing a whole lot more.

It helps that a longer tail makes it look more like a lifted wagon than a generic electric SUV, too.

Toyota isn't alone in offering a rugged alternative to the Tesla Model Y, though. The related Subaru Trailseeker follows the same formula, serving as the Touring’s counterpart – just as the Solterra does to the regular bZ4X.

So which, if either, should you be lining up to buy? We headed to the national launch in Brisbane to find out.

How much does the Toyota bZ4X Touring cost?

Priced from $69,990 plus on-road costs, the Touring sits atop the updated bZ4X EV range in Australia, commanding a $2000 premium over the bZ4X AWD.

It's also more expensive than the base version of the related Subaru Trailseeker, which starts from $63,990 before on-road costs. Confusingly, the top-spec Trailseeker is also known as the Touring, and is priced identically to its Toyota twin.

Electric wagon-like SUVs are a rare breed, so there are few other direct rivals. However, buyers may also cross-shop the Zeekr 7X (from $57,900), Kia EV6 (from $72,660), or even the top-selling Tesla Model Y (from $58,900), even if none offers quite the same outdoorsy wagon flavour – all prices exclude on-road costs.

Not sold on an EV? Then take your pick from the plentiful mid-size SUVs offering all-wheel drive, decent ground clearance, and family practicality.

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

What is the Toyota bZ4X Touring like on the inside?

From the front seats forward, it's identical to the bZ4X AWD.

So it probably won't win any design awards, nor is it particularly vibrant.

The Touring can at least be had with a khaki interior, although that's nowhere near as fun as the blue trim that's standard in the Trailseeker.

Toyota also cedes ground to Subaru when it comes to ergonomics.

Both models feature a 7.0-inch digital instrument panel positioned high up and close to the windscreen, in theory keeping your eyes from wandering too far from the road.

However, taller bZ4X drivers may find the display partly obscured by the top of the circular steering wheel, forcing them to lower the wheel to a less comfortable position, duck their head to view key information, or ignore the screen altogether.

Subaru, meanwhile, has introduced a squared-off steering wheel for better visibility of the display. It's an imperfect solution to a problem that needn't exist, but it's an improvement nonetheless.

Aside from that, the bZ4X and Trailseeker are virtually identical inside.

And if you're of the right stature to avoid the aforementioned ergonomic issue, there's plenty to like about the Toyota's cabin.

The front seats, for example, are trimmed in soft synthetic leather and offer ample electric adjustment and generous cushioning, making them well suited to long-distance comfort. Three-stage heating and ventilation also help take the edge off hot and cold weather.

Soft-touch finishes either side of the driver elevate comfort levels further.

It's pretty easy to get your head around the layout and controls, too. Audio volume and cabin temperature are adjusted using prominent rotary dials, while key driving functions sit right where your left hand falls naturally on the centre console.

In other words, you don't have to go fossicking through the infotainment touchscreen to complete simple tasks.

Even if you enjoy that sort of thing, there's not much point playing with the screen, as while its visuals are crisp, functionality is limited.

There's no Google integration, nor an extensive selection of native apps. Sat-nav is standard, but it's not the most advanced system going around.

As such, most owners will default to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, as they tend to in most new vehicles anyway. And there's something to be said for the bZ4X's straightforward simplicity in an era of increasingly complex infotainment interfaces.

It's difficult to excuse the absence of a glovebox, though. Storage elsewhere is likewise lacking, as the lower tray, armrest compartment, and door bins are all smaller than you'd expect from a family SUV.

Twin wireless phone charging pads and a set of sunken cupholders help, but Toyota could've made far better use of the space available.

It's a different story in the second row, where the benefits of stretching the bZ4X start to be realised.

For context, the Touring is 140mm longer than other bZ4X variants, although that extra length is entirely behind the rear axle.

However, it also has a 20mm taller roofline, which translates to generous headroom in the back, even with the inclusion of a panoramic glass roof.

Rear legroom was already very good, and remains so, while there's adequate room to squeeze your feet under the front seats.

The middle seat is perfectly usable, too, courtesy of a flat floor.

In terms of actual comfort, the bench is a little slippery but soft enough to sink into over longer journeys, and the outboard seats are heated. The backrest reclines quite far back for those chasing some shut-eye.

So, all in all, the Touring makes for a comfortable family hauler.

Rear amenities include air vents, two USB-C outlets, map pockets, a fold-down centre armrest with integrated cupholders, and drink bottle slots in both doors.

In addition to passenger space, cargo capacity is a key drawcard of the bZ4X Touring. The boot has expanded by 151 litres to a total of 603L – a best-in-class figure ignoring the Model Y, which isn't subjected to the same measurement method.

Better still, the boot aperture is wide, there’s no load lip, and the hands-free tailgate aids accessibility when your hands are full. Toyota has also fitted a vehicle-to-load (V2L) power outlet in the boot, allowing you to power external appliances (eg: camping gear) directly from the high-voltage battery.

Let's pray you don't cop a flat tyre while exploring the great outdoors though, as the Touring isn't equipped with a physical spare wheel – crazy, we know.

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

What's under the bonnet?

The bZ4X Touring packs a more powerful dual-motor electric drivetrain than the bZ4X AWD, quoting total system power of 280kW (up from 252kW).

It allows the Touring to accelerate to 100km/h from rest in just 4.5 seconds, shaving 0.6 seconds off the claimed time of its smaller stablemate.

However, driving range drops from 517km to 488km on the WLTP cycle, and achieving that figure requires a degree of restraint.

As with the regular bZ4X, DC fast-charging tops out at 150kW, while 22kW AC charging is fitted as standard.

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

How does the Toyota bZ4X Touring drive?

Believe it or not, the bZ4X Touring is perfectly suited to, well, touring.

Beyond being practical enough to swallow five people and their luggage, it offers effortless overtaking power and a supple ride that should help long road trips fly by.

The latter quality came as somewhat of a surprise considering we've previously criticised the standard bZ4X for being a bit firm, but it appears as if the chassis and suspension changes made for this lifted, more adventurous variant have worked a treat.

Having said that, we'll need to spend more time with the Touring to confirm this, as these impressions are purely based on a couple of hours behind the wheel on some of Queensland's smoother country roads.

I can at least speak with some certainty on the performance available, as road conditions are unlikely to change the fact the bZ4X Touring is a seriously rapid SUV. More importantly, it's quick in a way that's approachable, not in a way that's going to scare the bejesus out of either you or your kids.

That's an important distinction, as some dual-motor EVs simply aren't equipped to handle their immense thrust, whereas this one feels stable and self-assured.

However, despite its stability under throttle, the bZ4X Touring could benefit from stronger brakes. The current stoppers aren't hugely effective, and the car's weight makes itself known through noticeable dive under braking.

Being an EV, the Touring features regenerative braking, with four levels of intensity controlled via shift paddles. There's instant deceleration when you lift off the right pedal, but even the strongest setting falls well short of true single-pedal driving.

Given the brakes themselves aren’t especially convincing, stronger regen would be welcome.

The bZ4X Touring's extra size is also apparent when the road turns twisty. Its chassis has clearly been tuned for comfort and versatility rather than sporty handling, resulting in pronounced body roll through corners.

Still, grip isn't lacking, even with relatively skinny 235mm-wide Bridgestone tyres, while the combination of accurate steering and all-paw traction inspires confidence.

Yet ultimately, the Touring feels secure rather than athletic, preferring relaxed cruising to being hustled along a backroad.

A commanding driving position, large mirrors, generous rear window and excellent outward visibility also make it easy to place on the road, with no obvious blind spots to undermine confidence.

You might want to turn the music up when travelling cross-country, though, because the absence of powertrain noise brings road roar to the fore, especially on coarse-chip surfaces. That's no dealbreaker, given the kids in the back will likely drown it out anyway.

At least the safety aids don't add to the noise. The driver monitor, lane-keep assist, and overspeed warning systems were all well-behaved throughout our brief drive, reinforcing the Touring’s easygoing character.

Further, there's Toyota's latest semi-autonomous driving tech, which reduces fatigue over longer freeway journeys.

As for how the Touring handles urban duties, I can't really tell you, due to the nature of the press launch route. It remains to be seen whether the extra length and ground clearance make a meaningful difference to how the Touring drives and parks in town.

I can't offer insights into how it fares off-road either, which is slightly disappointing given the Touring's adventure-focused upgrades and Subaru DNA.

With that in mind, stay tuned for a more comprehensive road test further down the line.

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

What do you get?

Most of the same stuff you get in a bZ4X AWD, with the exception of unique 20-inch black alloy wheels, front and rear skid plates, ladder-style roof rails, resin black wheel-arches and bonnet trim inserts, as well as a rear window wiper.

2026 Toyota bZ4X 2WD equipment highlights:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Tyre repair kit
• LED headlights
• Automatic high-beam
• Headlight cleaners
• Puddle lights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Rear privacy glass
• Gloss-black wheel-arches
• Keyless entry and start
• Hands-free power tailgate
• Electric parking brake
• 1500W inverter in cargo space
• 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Satellite navigation
• 8-way power driver’s seat
• Heated front seats
• Leather-accented steering wheel
• Heated steering wheel
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
• Paddle shifters
• 6-speaker sound system
• 2 x wireless phone chargers
• 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

AWD adds:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• 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

Touring adds:

• Unique 20-inch black alloy wheels
• Front and rear skid plates
• Ladder-style roof rails
• Resin black wheel-arch cladding
• Rear window wiper

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

Is the Toyota bZ4X Touring safe?

The Touring holds the same five-star ANCAP safety rating as the standard bZ4X, based on testing conducted last year.

Standard safety equipment includes:

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

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

How much does the Toyota bZ4X Touring cost to run?

The bZ4X Touring is backed by Toyota's standard five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, as well as separate warranties for the electric motors and high-voltage battery.

On first glance, the servicing costs seem quite reasonable, but it's worth keeping in mind that some EVs have longer intervals of up to two years/40,000km. Or, in Tesla's case, no set intervals at all.

Beyond that, you still have to pay extra for roadside assistance at Toyota – despite the fact that most brands throw 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 Touring

The Touring is a clever evolution of the updated bZ4X, which was already very good in its own right – if only Toyota did it first.

A stretched rear-end works wonders for the appearance and practicality of Toyota's family EV, while a raised ride height and extra power broaden its appeal further.

It's not like any of the changes have introduced new compromises, either, although the few shortcomings already present in the bZ4X remain.

But while the Touring is hugely convincing, Subaru has already pulled this trick with the Trailseeker, which offers much the same package with a more adventurous brand image, a lower starting price, and a smarter steering wheel solution.

It's the lower starting price that really stands out, as $70k plus on-road costs is getting up there for this type of car.

For that reason, I'd forfeit some luxuries and settle for the base Trailseeker AWD.

Still, both twins are among the best options in a crowded segment, recapturing the spirit of the all-purpose wagons we loved piling into as kids.

Interested in buying a Toyota bZ4X? Let CarExpert find you the best deal here

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MORE: Explore the Toyota bZ4X showroom