Toyota has taken its maiden global electric car back to the workshop for a substantial upgrade just over 12 months after it arrived in Australia, including a 30 per cent longer range.
Electric Cars
The 2026 Toyota bZ4X electric SUV has been given a substantial rework after about a year in Australian showrooms – and two years after its European launch.
The bZ4X has not yet ditched its alphanumeric name – contrary to reports – but the facelifted model adds a longer range, new styling, reworked interior technology, and more power.
It is due in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2025 (October to December), with any potential price changes above or below the $66,000 to $74,900 plus on-road costs RRPs of the current model to be announced closer to launch.
Powering the updated Toyota bZ4X in Australia will be a larger 73.1kWh battery pack – replacing a 71.4kWh unit – with front- or all-wheel drive.
Despite a small change on paper, claimed driving range in European WLTP testing has surged from a maximum of 436km, to an estimated 573km – an increase of more than 30 per cent.
Toyota says improvements have come through new-generation electric motors, which are more efficient, and are now equipped with silicon-carbide semiconductors to deliver more power.
The front-wheel-drive version will produce 165kW, up from 150kW, while the all-wheel-drive model will use two electric motors developing 252kW combined, up from 160kW.
The latter claims a 5.1-second 0-100km/h acceleration time, down from 6.9sec previously.
European buyers will be able to order an entry-level 57.7kWh battery with a 126kW motor, but it won't be available in Australia.
DC charging continues to top out at 150kW, but engineers have improved the battery's thermal control software to "offer better charging performance in cold temperatures".
Similar to many other electric cars, the bZ4X's battery can now be pre-conditioned en route to a charging station – either manually, or automatically when a charger is selected in the navigation system – to optimise the temperature of the cells for faster recharging.
The 2025 model benefits from satellite navigation software that selects routes with "recommended, convenient charging stations". This has already been made available on current models through an over-the-air update.
Towing capacity has been boosted from 750kg to 1500kg on all-wheel-drive grades, while 22kW AC charging is now available on high-grade models in Europe.
Styling changes include a new version of Toyota's latest 'hammerhead' front fascia design – with a reshaped bumper, and new LED headlights, including a full-width daytime-running light placed above the main light beams and fog lights.
There is a new 20-inch wheel design, as well as gloss black wheel arches as standard across the model range.
Inside, there's a new 14-inch infotainment touchscreen derived from the Lexus range, with air-temperature dials that intersect with the display, and a volume dial replacing the outgoing model's buttons.
The dashboard has been redesigned with new materials, the plastic binnacle around the steering column has been deleted, and the single wireless phone charger under a gloss-black tray has been replaced by two charging pads without a cover.
Toyota promises "updates in suspension setting and bodywork" equate to "lower noise and vibration levels and improved comfort and driving dynamics."
The 2026 Toyota bZ4X is due in local showrooms by the end of this year.
Electric Cars Guide
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
