Toyota has revealed a range of new and refreshed EVs for global markets with the US release of the C-HR+ (called the C-HR BEV in the US market) and a facelifted bZ4X (that drops the 4X from its name in the US), along with an all-new model called the bZ4X Touring in both the USA and Europe.
Toyota New Zealand has confirmed that while the refreshed bZ4X won't be coming here at this stage, the new bZ4X Touring will definitely be landing here, effectively replacing the current bZ4X in our local model line up.
The bZ4X Touring - called the bZ4X Woodland in the US - is Toyota's take on the previously revealed Subaru Trailseeker and is a new addition to Toyota's pure electric bZ4X range that is intended to appeal to "customers with active lifestyles, including family adventures, leisure, and sports."
Toyota says a key focus of the bZ4X Touring is enhanced space and versatility. As such it features an extension of the established bZ4X's SUV body style, being 140 mm longer and 20 mm higher overall, measuring 4,830 mm in length and 1,670 mm in height. These increased dimensions result in a significant increase in load compartment capacity by more than a third, adding an extra 148 litres to the boot space for a total of 600 litres.
The company says the design takes advantage of the space-saving benefits of Toyota's BEV powertrain, using compact components and a layout that avoids intrusion into the cabin or load space.
The bZ4X Touring gets a choice of 57.7 and 74.7 kWh lithium-ion batteries, in FWD and AWD forms. Both powertrains benefit from Toyota’s new eAxle, which uses new silicon carbide (SIC) semiconductors for greater efficiency, higher power output, and are also lighter and more compact.
The targeted maximum output for the FWD model is 165 kW, while the AWD version aims for 280 kW, making it the most powerful Toyota BEV so far. The bZ4X Touring is also capable of towing trailers up to 1,500 kg.
An 11kW on-board AC charger is included, an increase from the bZ4X's 7kW capacity, while a battery pre-conditioning function is included to help optimise DC charging speeds in colder climates.
Visually, the bZ4X Touring maintains the bZ4X look but incorporates specific styling details that "emphasise a more rugged and adventurous spirit." These include a grained black finish for the wheel arches, black wheels, and roof rails that are capable of handling a 70kg roof load.
Meanwhile, the refreshed bZ4X - now just called the bZ in the USA - shares the new powertrain options the Touring model debuts, along with interior updates - most obviously a new centre console and instrument panel design, with a 14-inch multimedia screen fitted as standard.
On the outside the bZ gets a refreshed front fascia with slim LED daytime running lights integrated into Toyota's "hammerhead" front end. While the European bZ4X facelift switches the current car's matte black guards for gloss black examples, the US facelift drops the black guards altogether in favour of body-coloured versions.
While the bZ4X facelift probably won't be coming here, the bZ Woodland is expected to hit US dealerships around the same time as the bZ4X Touring lands in Europe in early 2026, making a local debut for the wagon-esque SUV sometime later that year likely here.
While Toyota NZ says the facelifted bZ4X likely won't be coming here, it remains usure if it will be offered the C-HR+ EV at this stage.
