Toyota’s reluctant foray into the electric-vehicle market does not appear to be off to a good start. After much public protestation that hybrids and plug-in hybrids were a smarter solution, the Japanese manufacturing giant — and the world’s largest automaker by sales — finally rolled out its first EV, the bZ4X, for the 2023 model year. An electric mid-size SUV, the bZ4X was developed in partnership with Subaru, which sells its version as the Solterra. For 2025, just the bZ4X’s third year on the market, Toyota is cleaving nearly $6,000 off its base price, dropping it to $38,465 (all prices include $1,395 destination fee). The bZ4X is currently outselling its Subaru twin this year, but Ford has sold nearly three times as many Mustang Mach-Es as Toyota has bZ4Xs despite the Ford’s design being two years older.
Related: 2023 Toyota bZ4X Review: Normal Toyota, Natural Step Into EVs
What’s New
There’s more than just a lower price to draw EV shoppers, as the bZ4X also gets a few new features for 2025. The uplevel Limited trim gains standard traffic jam assist for hands-free semi-autonomous driving on limited-access highways at speeds below 25 mph, lane change assist and front cross-traffic alert that watches for crossing vehicles during turns.
Toyota also applies its Nightshade treatment to the bZ4X for 2025. Based on the entry-level XLE trim, the Nightshade gets available two-tone paint that pairs a white or gray body with a black roof. It rides on black 20-inch wheels and sports black exterior trim and badging, as well as a black synthetic leather interior with red stitching.
Powertrain Specs and Range
The bZ4X’s standard powertrain is a single electric motor driving the front wheels with 201 horsepower and 196 pounds-feet of torque. A second motor providing all-wheel drive is available for an additional $2,080 on the entry-level XLE trim and range-topping Limited; it’s standard on the Nightshade. The dual-motor bZ4X generates a total of 214 hp and 248 pounds-feet.
Front-drive bZ4Xs draw power from a 71.4-kilowatt-hour battery, while the dual-motor SUV features a slightly larger 72.8-kWh pack. While many competitive EVs flirt with or surpass 300 miles of range, the best the bZ4X can manage is 252 miles for the front-drive XLE, per Toyota (official EPA figures for the 2025 model are not yet available but shouldn’t change from 2024). With AWD, the 2024 XLE gets an EPA-rated 228 miles on a charge. The front-drive Limited is good for 236 miles, while the AWD Limited and Nightshade manage 222 miles. While bZ4X drivers may need to charge more than others, Toyota does throw in one free year of charging through the EVgo public-charging network for all buyers and lessees.
Availability and Pricing
The 2025 Toyota bZ4X will arrive at dealerships in early 2025. Full line pricing is as follows:
- XLE FWD: $38,465
- XLE AWD: $40,545
- Nightshade AWD: $41,815
- Limited FWD: $43,195
- Limited AWD: $45,275
Safety Features and Trim Levels
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is standard on every 2025 bZ4X and includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure steering assist, lane-centering steering, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams and road sign recognition. Also standard are blind spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit alert, and front and rear parking sensors with automatic emergency braking.
Other standard equipment on the entry-level XLE trim includes 18-inch wheels, LED front and rear lighting, a fixed panoramic glass roof, a power liftgate, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and keyless entry and starting. Inside, the bZ4X is upholstered in a blend of cloth and synthetic leather and features power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless phone charging, six speakers, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Nightshade is largely an appearance package, but it also gains a roof spoiler (black, of course), heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Nightshade provides cheaper two-tone paint options, but the Limited gives buyers a choice of a black roof with four exterior colors — adding silver and red to the Nightshade’s gray and white. In addition to the aforementioned safety upgrades for 2025, the Limited already included automated parking and a 360-degree parking camera. It also boasts 20-inch wheels, upgraded LED headlights, a hands-free power liftgate, full synthetic leather, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel and ambient interior lighting.
More From Cars.com:
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- Toyota Joins Ionna Charging Network Joint Venture
- Is the 2023 Toyota bZ4X a Good EV? 6 Things We Like and 4 We Don’t
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