Toyota launched the updated electric SUV in Japan this week. Boasting up to 746 km (463 miles) range, the new Toyota bZ4X now has the longest driving range of any domestic EV in Japan.
The Toyota bZ4X is Japan’s longest-range domestic EV
Is Toyota finally stepping up to the plate? The new bZ4X is a big step in the right direction, addressing many of the issues in the outgoing electric SUV.
Toyota launched the updated electric SUV in Japan on Thursday, featuring about 25% more driving range, significantly faster charging, a new look, and additional enhancements.
With up to 746 km (436 miles) WLTC driving range, the new Toyota bZ4X has become the longest-range domestic EV in Japan. It also gains a new battery preconditioning function and support for 150 kW charging that cuts charging times (10% to 80%) to just 28 minutes.
The new model is available in two trim options, Z or G, starting at 4.8 million yen. The bZ4X Z is priced from 5.5 million yen and is offered with a dual motor (AWD) or single motor (FWD) powertrain.
Toyota introduced the updated bZ4X in Europe earlier this year with similar improvements. The new bZ4X has a WLTP driving range of 573 km (356 miles), a revamped design inside and out, added features, and more power.
In the US, the 2026 Toyota BZ (dropping the 4X for the US market) offers up to 314 miles EPA-estimated driving range. It also now features a built-in NACS charge port to enable recharging at Tesla Superchargers.
The base 2026 Toyota BZ XLE FWD, with 236 miles range, starts at $34,900 in the US. Upgrading to the longer-range Plus model, offering 314 miles of range, costs $37,900.
After Toyota’s electric vehicle sales plummeted in Japan and the US last month, the company is betting on the new and improved electric SUV for a comeback.
Electrek’s Take
Although securing the title of the longest-range domestically made EV in Japan isn’t necessarily the hardest thing to do with Honda, Nissan, and Mazda being your biggest competition, the improvements to the bZ4X are a step in the right direction.
Toyota has a wave of new vehicles set to launch, including battery electric (BEV), hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV), that it’s betting on to drive growth over the next few years.
With BYD and other Chinese automakers quickly gaining market share in regions Toyota has historically dominated in, the Japanese automaker looks to remain competitive.
Will it be enough to keep pace? We will find out soon as new vehicles roll out and more sales data is released.
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