- An updated bZ4X joins the C-HR+ and Urban Cruiser in Toyota’s European EV push
- A smaller 57.7-kwh pack option gives European consumers more choice
- Battery preconditioning and a more powerful motor highlight the midsize crossover’s changes
The Toyota bZ4X electric crossover receives its first significant update with battery preconditioning, more powerful motors, and a larger touchscreen. Toyota announced the changes for the European market on Tuesday, but many of those changes are expected to follow in the North American market as well.
During a press conference in Brussels last week, Toyota showed off the midsize bZ4X as well as two new electric crossovers, including the Toyota C-HR+ compact crossover in the C-segment and the smaller boxier Urban Cruiser for the B-segment. The three electric crossovers make up half of the six new electric vehicles launching in Europe by the end of 2026.
A slide showing the silhouettes of the remaining three vehicles suggest a pickup truck likely to be a Hilux EV; a larger, more luxurious crossover believed to be a Land Cruiser EV; and a smaller crossover sized like the Urban Cruiser but with more of a hatchback profile.
Toyota Urban Cruiser
The product showcase highlighted Toyota’s push to carbon neutrality in Europe by 2035 through a multi-energy strategy that includes hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric, and hydrogen fuel-cell technologies.
The bZ4X’s modest enhancements should provide enhanced appeal. A smaller 57.7-kwh battery pack will be offered alongside a 73.1-kwh (gross capacity) battery pack that gets a blip in capacity from the 71.4-kwh pack currently sold in Europe and in single-motor versions in North America. That pack uses cells supplied in a joint venture with Panasonic as part of Toyota’s Prime Planet Energy & Solutions (PPES). Last September, LG Chem agreed to supply cathode materials for Toyota’s battery production. Toyota did not disclose the reason for the difference in gross capacity.
In North America, dual-motor all-wheel-drive models use CATL cells in a 72.8-kwh pack.
The new 57.7-kwh pack comes with front-wheel drive only and a single motor rated at 123 kw (164 hp). Models with the 73.1-kwh pack come with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive, but the motors now use silicon carbide semiconductors that boost power output to 165 kw (221 hp) from 150 kw (201 hp) in the single front motor or 252 kw (338 hp) from 160 kw (214 hp) for the dual-motor setup. Suspension tweaks promise to lower noise and vibration levels.
Dual-motor models can now tow double the previous capacity, up to 3,300 pounds.
Toyota also debuted a new F Sport grade on the related Lexus RZ, and that sportier model will have 221-hp motors on both the front and rear axles.
Toyota bZ4X, C-HR+, Urban Cruiser, from left to right
Toyota wouldn’t disclose more detailed specs on the updated bZ4X. Estimated range for the 73.1-kwh front-wheel-drive model is 356 miles on the generous European WLTP cycle.
More significantly, an available 22-kw onboard charger on top models should significantly cut down the roughly nine-hour charging time with the current 6.6-kw charger on a 240-volt outlet. The max power for DC fast charging remains 150 kw. Battery pre-conditioning now comes standard to optimize max charging power.
Toyota claims improved aerodynamics due to minor updates to the front fascia, but bigger and welcome changes happen inside. Tilting or telescoping the small diameter steering wheel no longer moves the recessed instrument cluster near the base of the windshield. The cluster appears brighter, better organized, and larger, though Toyota reps said it’s not larger. A 14.0-inch touchscreen that looks identical to the head unit designed in North America and used in Lexus and top-grade Toyota vehicles now comes standard. Navigating to suggested charging stations and a route planner also comes standard, and that functionality was made available to existing bZ4X models in Europe via an over-the-air update.
The updated bZ4X goes on sale in Europe this fall.
Toyota paid for airfare and lodging for DriftBreath Reports to attend its product showcase.
