Bigger, More Energy Dense Batteries
The current bZ4X in the U.S. gets two battery sizes: 71.4 kilowatt-hours on the front-wheel drive, reportedly sourced from Prime Planet & Energy Solutions, Toyota’s joint venture with Panasonic and 72.8 kWh on the all-wheel drive, which comes from CATL.
The bZ4X now gets different batteries. The base version has a smaller 57.7 kWh unit and the longer-range model has a larger 73.1 kWh unit. Its Chief Engineer, Masaya Uchiyama, told InsideEVs that these batteries are now more energy-dense and the number of cells has also increased.
The European-spec bZ4X would get up to 356 miles of range on the WLTP cycle. Those estimates are typically about 22% higher than EPA numbers, so we figure the bZ4X might still get roughly 280 miles of range stateside—substantially better than the maximum 252 miles on the current FWD version available here.
The new C-HR+ also gets an even larger battery. The crossover coupe, which is mechanically unrelated to its now-discontinued gas-powered namesake, will get a 57.7 kWh pack and a larger 77 kWh pack. Toyota estimates that the latter will deliver 373 miles of range on the WLTP cycle, so expect its EPA range to be close to 300 miles.
The Lexus RZ will also get these upgrades, including the bigger 77 kWh pack. If you’re an enthusiast, its 408 hp range-topping version would be the one to go for.
Battery Preconditioning, Route Planning, Upgraded “eAxles”
Battery preconditioning is another welcome addition to Toyota EVs. It will now be standard and should also improve charging speeds. This would ensure that the battery would reach optimal temperatures by the time the vehicle arrives at a charging station. And also improve the pack’s thermal management.
Customers will be able to activate battery preconditioning manually or automatically with route planning, which is also new for Toyota BEVs. Earlier, owners had to use the Toyota smartphone app for route planning, but the new models will be natively equipped with this feature. So when you enter a destination, the vehicle will suggest charging stops along the way.
The electric motors are now more powerful with silicon carbide inverters, which makes them more efficient and powerful. The bZ4X has a maximum output of 343 hp whereas the Lexus RZ will deliver 408 hp. That’s pretty sick for the bZ4X, especially, as it’s supposed to be a mass-market family crossover.
Speaking of the motors, Toyota said its “eAxle” electric motor system is also upgraded. On the RZ, for example, the front and rear motors will have an identical power output, which Toyota says will help with better power distribution. It also said that the all-wheel-drive system now reduces pitch while acceleration and minimizes dive during braking by redistributing brake force between the axles.
Toyota BZ4x 2025
