Toyota appears ready to address long-standing criticism of its electric SUV's awkward name, the bZ4X.
Speaking with Canadian automotive media, Toyota Canada's regional director, Patrick Ryan, revealed that a rebrand is on the horizon, although the exact timing remains unclear.
A name that never quite landed
The bZ4X name stands for 'Beyond Zero', with the '4' denoting its size and the 'X' indicating its crossover SUV status.
While the reasoning behind the name makes sense on paper, it hasn't translated well in practice, coming across as awkward and unwieldy.
The bZ4X’s Subaru sibling, the Solterra, is a prime example of a more approachable and memorable nameplate. It raises the question of why Toyota didn’t adopt a similar strategy from the outset.
When will the change happen?
While Ryan did not confirm whether the name change will be global or regional, a worldwide rebrand seems the more logical route for consistency across markets.
With the 2025 model already locked in with the bZ4X badge, speculation suggests the update might debut with the 2026 model year.
Toyota’s reliance on memorable names for models like the RAV4 and Corolla has proven successful over time. Moving away from alphanumeric designations for its electric lineup could better position Toyota in an increasingly competitive EV market.
For now, drivers and industry watchers will need to wait a little longer to see what Toyota ultimately decides to call its flagship electric SUV.