The 2025 Toyota bZ4X Limited AWD is Toyota's first dedicated EV — competent and reliable but ultimately outpaced on range and charging speed by Hyundai/Kia rivals.
The Toyota bZ4X Is Now Called the Toyota bZ
Toyota said in its 13 May 2025 announcement that the bZ4X becomes the Toyota bZ for 2026, with the company saying the change simplifies the name for customers. The revised lineup broadens the choices beyond the reviewed 2025 bZ4X Limited AWD, including front wheel drive and all wheel drive versions and a newly available XLE front wheel drive Plus grade. Toyota also lists two battery capacities, with the smaller pack reserved for the base XLE front wheel drive and the larger pack used by the other four grades. For shoppers, that makes the 2026 range worth comparing grade by grade rather than treating the renamed model as a simple badge change. A shopper weighing electric crossovers at this size may also want our Honda Prologue review.
| Grade | Battery | Manufacturer-Estimated Range |
|---|---|---|
| XLE front wheel drive | 57.7 kWh | 235 miles |
| XLE front wheel drive Plus | 74.7 kWh | 314 miles |
| XLE all wheel drive | 74.7 kWh | 288 miles |
| Limited front wheel drive | 74.7 kWh | 299 miles |
| Limited all wheel drive | 74.7 kWh | 299 miles |
Toyota said in its 13 May 2025 announcement that MSRP starts at $34,900 for the 2026 XLE front wheel drive grade. Toyota also said that starting figure excludes the Dealer Processing and Handling fee. That entry price therefore applies to a different grade and drivetrain from the 2025 bZ4X Limited AWD reviewed on this page. One caveat on the power figures: Toyota quotes up to 221 horsepower for front wheel drive models as a group and 338 combined system net horsepower for all wheel drive models, rather than a separate output for each individual grade, so the front wheel drive figure is a ceiling for that half of the range and not a per grade rating.
Vehicle Overview
| Vehicle Segment | SUV |
| Body Style | Compact electric crossover |
| Release Year | 2025 |
| Trim/Variant Reviewed | Limited AWD |
| Available Trims | XLE, Limited |
Key Specifications (Toyota bZ4X Limited AWD)
| Motor | Dual permanent-magnet motors producing 214 hp and 337 Nm |
| Transmission | Single-speed automatic |
| Battery | 71.4 kWh lithium-ion |
| EPA Range | 222 miles |
| DC Fast Charging | Up to 100 kW |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
0–60 mph: 6.5s
| Top speed | 100 mph |
| Dimensions | 184.6" L × 73.2" W × 64.9" H |
| Curb weight | 4,575 lb |
| Cargo | 27.7 cu ft (56.9 max) |
| Seats | 5 |
Exterior Design
Distinctive plastic body cladding around wheel arches
20" wheels standard on Limited
Sliding panoramic glass roof available
Interior, Comfort & Materials
Standard 12.3" touchscreen
Heated front and rear seats available
Cabin design conservative compared to Ioniq 5
Features & Infotainment
Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto
Toyota Audio Multimedia with cloud nav
Optional 9-speaker JBL audio
IIHS Ratings: 2025 Toyota bZ4X vs 2026 Toyota bZ
Our guide to IIHS safety ratings explains what the tiers mean. The IIHS ratings pages read on 28 September 2026 show several similarities between the two model years, but the front crash results differ. The 2025 Toyota bZ4X is rated Good in both the small overlap front test and the updated moderate overlap front test, while the 2026 Toyota bZ is rated Acceptable in both. Both model years are rated Good in the updated side test. Headlight performance varies by configuration in each year, and neither ratings page lists a TOP SAFETY PICK award. Other listed assessments also differ because IIHS does not show an identical set of evaluations for both model years.
| Evaluation | 2025 bZ4X | 2026 bZ |
|---|---|---|
| Small overlap front | Good | Acceptable |
| Moderate overlap front updated test | Good | Acceptable |
| Side updated test | Good | Good |
| Headlights | Good or Marginal depending on trim and options | Good or Poor depending on trim and options |
| Front crash prevention pedestrian | Good | Good |
| LATCH ease of use | Good | Good plus |
| TOP SAFETY PICK award | No award listed | No award listed |
IIHS rates the older 2025 bZ4X Good in the two listed front crash tests where the 2026 bZ rates Acceptable. Neither model year carries a TOP SAFETY PICK award on the IIHS pages read on 28 September 2026. Headlight ratings depend on trim and options in both years, ranging from Good to Marginal on the 2025 model and from Good to Poor on the 2026 model.
Safety & Ratings
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 standard
Available 360° camera
Driving Performance & Handling
Dual motors give the Toyota bZ4X Limited AWD 214 hp and a 6.5-second 0–60, and the calibration favors what Toyota does well — a comfortable ride and a quiet cabin — over any sporting pretension.
Charging and Home Energy Costs: 2025 bZ4X vs 2026 bZ
Toyota said in its 13 May 2025 announcement that the 2026 bZ uses a North American Charging System port, can charge from 10 percent to 80 percent battery capacity in around 30 minutes under ideal conditions, has an 11 kW onboard AC charger, and adds battery pre-conditioning on all models. For the reviewed 2025 bZ4X Limited AWD, this page lists a 100 kW peak DC fast charging figure and 7.7 kW AC charging. Those figures describe different aspects of charging performance, so the 2025 peak DC power figure should not be read as directly equivalent to Toyota's 2026 time-based fast charging claim.
| Specification | 2025 bZ4X Limited AWD | 2026 Toyota bZ |
|---|---|---|
| DC fast charge | 100 kW peak | 10 percent to 80 percent in around 30 minutes under ideal conditions |
| Onboard AC charger | 7.7 kW AC charging | 11 kW |
| Vehicle | Assumption | Estimated Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 bZ4X Limited AWD | 12,000 miles at 2.6 miles per kWh and 18.31 cents per kWh | About $845 |
The estimated annual cost is arithmetic rather than measured consumption. This page lists 2.6 miles per kilowatt hour for the 2025 bZ4X Limited AWD, which works out to about 4,615 kilowatt hours over 12,000 miles. The US Energy Information Administration reported a US average residential electricity price of 18.31 cents per kilowatt hour in July 2026 data released on 24 September 2026. Applying that national average produces an estimated annual home charging cost of about $845. Our home-charging guide covers what a domestic installation involves, and EV repair costs versus petrol covers the running costs energy alone does not capture.
EV Range & Charging
| EPA Range | 222 miles |
| Real-world Range | ~190 miles mixed |
| DC Fast Charging (peak) | 100 kW |
10–80% DC charging: approximately 50 minutes
| AC Charging (Level 2) | 7.7 kW |
| Efficiency | 2.6 mi/kWh |
Practicality & Everyday Usability
27.7 cu ft cargo behind seats; 56.9 with seats folded
1,500 lb tow rating
No frunk
Warranty & Maintenance
| Basic warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| EV battery warranty | 10 years / 150,000 miles, 70% capacity |
On-Road Price & Value for Money
| Starting MSRP | $44,610 |
$44,610 buys 222 miles of range and 100 kW peak charging — figures the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 comfortably exceed. What that money also buys is a 10-year battery warranty and Toyota's dependability record: a different currency of value, and the main reason to pick it.
The 2026 Toyota bZ Recall and What Buyers Should Check
Toyota said in its 18 June 2026 recall announcement that it is recalling approximately 16,200 model year 2026 Toyota bZ and Lexus RZ vehicles in North America. Toyota said the battery ECU can malfunction and cause the electric drive system to shut down while driving at higher speeds, resulting in loss of motive power and an increased risk of a crash, although power steering and braking continue to operate. Toyota said dealers will update the battery ECU software free of charge. The company also said owners of involved vehicles would be notified by mid August 2026.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicles involved | Approximately 16,200 model year 2026 Toyota bZ and Lexus RZ vehicles in North America |
| Defect | Battery ECU can malfunction, causing the electric drive system to shut down while driving at higher speeds |
| Remedy | Dealers will update the battery ECU software free of charge |
| Notification | Owners of involved vehicles will be notified by mid August 2026 |
Toyota's 18 June 2026 announcement says the campaign covers model year 2026 Toyota bZ and Lexus RZ vehicles and does not list the 2025 bZ4X. A shopper considering either a used 2025 bZ4X or a 2026 bZ should still ask a Toyota dealer to check the specific vehicle identification number for open recalls and confirm whether any applicable recall work has been completed.
Comparison with Rivals
Key competitors include the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Volkswagen ID.4 and Ford Mustang Mach-E.
The Ioniq 5 and EV6 outperform on range, charging speed, and design. The bZ4X's strength is Toyota dependability and dealer reach.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Toyota reliability reputation
Generous 10-year battery warranty
Comfortable ride and quiet cabin
Cons
Range trails class leaders by 50+ miles
Slow DC peak charging (100 kW)
AWD reduces range significantly
Limited dealer network for EV-specific service
Overall Rating
3.8 / 5 — comfortable, quiet and backed by the segment's most generous battery warranty, but a 50-plus-mile range deficit to class leaders and slow DC charging are hard numbers to score around.
True Motion Auto has not independently road-tested this vehicle. Specifications, pricing and performance figures are compiled from manufacturer technical data and published independent tests, and are attributed where quoted. Our score reflects a structured research assessment of specifications, pricing, safety data and owner feedback for the segment — not an independent road test. Read how we review cars.
Final Verdict
The 2025 bZ4X is a credible first effort but trails Hyundai/Kia on range and charging. Buy if you trust Toyota over a Korean rival; otherwise the Ioniq 5 is the better EV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2026 Toyota bZ the same model as the bZ4X?
What Is the 2026 Toyota bZ Manufacturer-Estimated Range?
How Does 2026 Toyota bZ Charging Compare With the 2025 bZ4X Limited AWD?
Is the 2025 Toyota bZ4X Included in the 2026 Toyota bZ Recall?
Specifications, prices and equipment were current at publication and vary by model year, trim and market. Verify final details with a franchised dealer before ordering. Read how we review cars and our editorial policy.