Better range, option to preheat the batteries, higher trailer weight, upgraded LED lights, noise-insulated front windows and a new dashboard.

Toyota has been operating with electric cars for several years, but their first serious challenger did not come to Europe until 2022. Toyota has many followers in Norway, and not surprisingly the bZ4X climbed high on the sales charts. But already during the first winter in Norway, NAF revealed weaknesses in the cars' winter range and several car owners experienced slow charging in the cold.
 
When a carmaker launches its first commercial electric model, it might be worth waiting for version 2.0 to arrive. Toyota's new bZ4X arrived in Europe in January 2026. Better range, the ability to preheat the batteries, higher towing capacity, upgraded LED lights, soundproof front windows and a new dashboard. Both models have black wheel arches/fenders for some reason, but in the new model they are at least painted in the same gloss as the rest of the car – not in matte black.
 

The new bZ4X looks most harmonious in black – or dark blue – like "our" car. The appearance differs little from other electric SUVs in the same class. It is not the appearance that makes me drive a Toyota bZ4X. So far this year it is in 2nd place in the number of newly registered car models in Norway ( OFV ) – only beaten by the Tesla Model Y.

The first impression

“Our” car has the “Active Tech” equipment level with 4-wheel drive and the largest battery pack. It is easy to find your way around behind the wheel. The seat has electric adjustment with lumbar support. The control levers are easy to understand, while the infotainment system appears a bit old-fashioned. The gear selector is a wheel on the center console that you push down and turn to choose the direction of travel. You get a green light for “D” and a red light for “R”. It is not possible to put the car into gear by accident.
 

There are two digital screens – one in front of the driver and one in the middle for infotainment. When I started the car, two messages appeared in large print. “Low washer fluid level” and that “Parking brake was deactivated” by a previous car owner. Not particularly alarming, but the two messages flashed up alternately on the driver’s screen at a constant and distracting pace. There is room for improvement in the software here. Normally, such messages would appear at start-up, and then as small symbols.

On the road

To get some peace, I stopped at the first gas station to fill up with washer fluid and reactivate the parking function.
 
I was on my way to go for a walk in the forest area at the very end of Steinsfjorden. From Sundvolden Hotel on the east side of Steinsfjorden, the road is winding, partly narrow and hilly with a dotted edge. Finding a good, active driving rhythm on such roads can be a challenge in heavy, electric SUVs. The Toyota and I found a good rhythm. I could safely put the right pair of wheels steadily out on the edge when cars came at me. Steering feel, throttle response and directional stability were alright considering that the car was on "balloon tires" - that is, winter tires with a lot of rubber.
 

Powerful kicks

It is a well-known fact that electric cars deliver their power very spontaneously, often completely silently. With 343 hp, the bZ4X can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. The power kicks in strongly and somewhat abruptly if you press the accelerator pedal hard. It feels like a boozt effect or "kickdown". In any case, you get up to speed quickly when you jump out onto a busy main road from a standstill, but I was actually surprised when the kick-in kicked in just as I was changing lanes during a quick overtaking.
 

Regenerative braking

Regenerative braking is controlled via paddles on the steering wheel. In the two highest settings, you can drive with almost one-pedal, but you must use the brake pedal to stop completely. When you release the brake, the car slowly crawls forward.

Range

The stated consumption for "our" car is 14.5 kWh per 100 km. My average consumption was 14.48 on dry autumn roads. The stated range of 515 km (WLTP) can therefore be justified. In practice, I experience that the real mileage is ⅘ parts of the stated range. If I had continued to drive on the roads in Hole, Ringerike and Hadeland, I would have been able to reach 476 km before the battery meter showed 0%. This is completely on par with what other cars in the class deliver.
 

Preheating the batteries

Toyota 2.0 now offers the option to preheat the batteries before charging. In the infotainment system, you can specify that the batteries are preheated when you enter a fast charging station as a destination in the navigation system. The system probably does not include all charging stations. The car never started preheating when I entered a fast charging station from MER that was 15-20 minutes away. But no big deal, since you can activate the preheating manually via the infotainment system.
 

Cargo

The on-board charger on “our” car can accept 11 kW, while it is possible to charge at 22 kW in cars with higher equipment levels. If you need power on the trip, you can fast charge at 150 kW – but then you should make sure to activate the preheating at least 20 minutes before arrival.

A completely alright car

The fact that Toyota is at the top of sales can be explained by the security that the car brand's good reputation and dealer network provide. The Toyota bZ4X is a completely alright car. If you like to drive (keen driver), I think you will find that the driving characteristics of the Toyota are better than its closest competitor, the Volkswagen ID.4 GTX. If you like good, sophisticated computer systems and a "connected" car, you will choose the Tesla Model Y as the winner. Tesla also offers more luggage space, including a "trunk" of 117 liters.
 
On the wish list for "our" Toyota bZ4X, I would choose summer tires with a larger dimension than 18 inches and a better sound system.
 

Facts Toyota bZ4X Active Tech

See

Toyota.no