While Toyota may have thought it was clever when it came up with the name for the bZ4X EV, it hasn’t been particularly well received. As a result, a change is reportedly coming soon, according to the regional director for Toyota Canada in Quebec.

While recently speaking with members of Canada’s automotive media, Patrick Ryan revealed that the electric SUV is going to be rebranded. He did not say when, but it could be for the 2026 model year as the 2025 model has already been presented and keeps the bZ4X name.

Read: The 2023 Toyota bZ4X Is A Quirky, But Comfortable EV With Up To 252 Miles Of Range

The current name stands for ‘Beyond Zero’, the ‘4’ represents its size, and the ‘X’ references it being a crossover, notes Motor Illustrated. While it kind of makes sense, the name doesn’t roll off the tongue particularly well, and it just sounds a little bit silly.

We get it, car manufacturers love using alphanumerical names for their cars nowadays. However, they’re often hard to remember and simply don’t stand out like those with real names. Heck, even the Subaru twin to the bZ4X has a real name and is dubbed the Solterra.

Ryan did not say if the name change will only be regional or if it is something that Toyota plans to change globally, although the latter would seem a little more logical. Except for the RAV4, all of Toyota’s current models in the US have real names, rather than random numbers and letters that have been jumbled together. Hopefully, Toyota will be able to come up with a proper name for its electric crossover and we won’t have to wait too long to hear it.

Lexus recently slashed the price of the 2025 RZ to $43,975 which meant it was $490 cheaper than the 2024 Toyota bZ4X. The mainstream brand is now addressing that discrepancy by cutting the cost of entry to $37,070 before a $1,395 destination and handling fee.

That’s $6,000 less than last year’s model, but the crossover still costs significantly more than the Chevrolet Equinox EV, which starts at $33,600 and has an EPA-estimated range of 319 miles (513 km). That compares to a mere 252 miles (406 km) for the most efficient version of the bZ4X.

More: 2025 Toyota bZ4X Gets $10,000 Lease Discount And 0% APR Before It Even Hits Dealers

The range-topping Limited trim starts at $41,800 for a reduction of $5,380. While the price cut isn’t as drastic as on the XLE, buyers will find three new driver assistance systems. They include Front Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist, and Traffic Jam Assist. The latter system is the most notable as it allows for hands-free operation at speeds under 25 mph (40 km/h) on controlled access freeways.

The other big change for 2025 is a new Nightshade Edition. It starts at $40,420 and is based on the XLE with all-wheel drive.

The model has black badging, black door handles, a black spoiler, and 20-inch wheels with a black finish. Buyers will also find a leather-wrapped steering wheel as well as SofTex and fabric-trimmed seats with red contrast stitching.

The 2025 bZ4X is slated to arrive at dealerships early next year and customers will find a familiar powertrain lineup. Front-wheel drive variants have a 71.4 kWh battery pack that powers a 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS) electric motor. All-wheel drive models have a slightly larger 72.8 kWh battery and a dual-motor setup producing a combined output of 214 hp (160 kW / 217 PS).

2025 Toyota bZ4X Pricing

Toyota is getting ready to launch the 2025 bZ4X, but it’s already sweetening the deal with some hefty leasing and financing incentives, before you even get a glimpse of the new model at dealerships.

The 2025 Toyota bZ4X is currently available with up to $10,000 in lease cash in select US regions, including Los Angeles, Boston, Denver, Portland, and San Francisco, until January 6, 2025. Final lease terms are still under wraps, but Toyota’s offering a deal that essentially amounts to 0% financing, likely in a bid to pull more people that it already has into its electric crossover, developed in partnership with Subaru.

Read: Toyota And Subaru’s Next Joint Electric SUV Coming In 2026

If you want to walk away with an electric Toyota at a compelling rate, you’re not just limited to the 2025 model. The outgoing 2024 version is also offered with an even bigger $16,250 lease incentive in many regions across the country and a money factor equivalent to 0% APR.

According to Cars Direct, residents in Southern California can pick up the keys to one for $219 per month for 36 months with a $2,999 downpayment. That works out to be the equivalent of $302 per month and while it’s not the single cheapest new EV on the market to lease, it is very affordable and even cheaper to lease than a 2025 Toyota Corolla, underscoring Toyota’s aggressive push to make EVs accessible.

Very few changes are expected for the 2025 bZ4X. It may get a few new trim options, but mechanically, it will likely be identical to the model it replaces. It should also hit the market with a largely unchanged exterior and interior. The bZ4X is currently offered with single and dual-motor versions, rated at 201 hp and 214 hp respectively.

For those of you set on grabbing the 2025 model, financing deals are also on the table: 0% APR for 72 months, plus $2,500 in Toyota Financial Services Subvention Cash. It’s not going to set the world on fire, but for what’s essentially a tweak on an existing model, it’s a smart way to move metal while keeping the price competitive.

The new Toyota bZ4X is poised to amaze, as the all-electric vehicle makes its way to Madison roads. Get a closer look at the exciting new vehicle and how it stacks up against the competition with Smart Toyota today.

Is the Toyota bZ4X Better than the Tesla Model Y?

As all-electric models, the bZ4X and Model Y make for an intriguing matchup. While the Tesla brand may be more of a hot topic surrounding all-electric vehicles, the truth of the matter is that Toyota’s longtime reputation of reliability can even the odds.

While the bZ4X may come up short in horsepower and torque, the motif of reliability returns when it comes to fuel economy. The new bZ4X features EPA estimates of 131 MPGe in the city, 107 MPGe on the highway, and up to 119 MPGe combined. In addition to efficiency, the EPA electric range between the two models are incredibly close: 260 miles for the Model Y and 252 miles for the bZ4X.

The Toyota model also features a 6.6 kW on-board charger, which the Model Y lacks, and charges from zero to 80% in approximately 30 minutes when using a DC fast charger. What’s more, the bZ4X yields a better battery capacity (71.4 kWh) compared to the Model Y (60.0 kWh).

Are you interested in a new Toyota bZ4X? Schedule a test drive with the all-electric model at our Toyota dealership in Madison. If you have any questions about the new Toyota bZ4X in comparison to other vehicles, contact us at Smart Motors Toyota today.

About Smart Motors

Founded in 1908 by O.D. Smart, Smart Motors is one of the nation’s oldest automotive dealerships, is the mid-west’s largest hybrid dealer, is Wisconsin’s Largest Toyota Certified Used Vehicle dealer and one of Wisconsin’s largest volume new Toyota dealers. Located in Madison Wisconsin, Smart Motors is Wisconsin’s only two-time President’s Cabinet Award recipient from Toyota Motor Sales for superior customer service & sales volume. More about Smart Motors.

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