When did the Toyota bZ4X come out?
The Toyota bZ4X first went on sale in 2022, with U.S. deliveries beginning in June 2022 and a broader global rollout continuing into 2023.
Timeline of its release and rollout
This section outlines the key moments in the bZ4X’s market introduction, from its public reveal to the worldwide availability across regions.
- 2021: Toyota publicly unveils the bZ4X, the first model in its bZ (beyond zero) electric family, built on the e-TNGA platform.
- June 2022: First deliveries begin in the United States and Canada, marking the start of North American sales.
- Late 2022: Toyota and Subaru issue a joint recall for the bZ4X (and the Solterra) related to wheel hub bolts, leading to temporary pauses in shipments while fixes are prepared.
- Early 2023: Europe and additional markets begin accepting orders and delivering the bZ4X as supply stabilizes and production resumes.
- 2023–2024: Toyota continues expanding trims, refining charging options, and broadening availability across more markets as part of its electrification push.
Across markets, timing varied by country and local regulation, with the U.S. often leading North American availability and Europe catching up in 2023.
What this means for buyers and observers
The release timeline affected when customers could buy the vehicle, how quickly different regions received inventory, and how recalls and supply disruptions influenced early ownership experiences.
Market specifics and implications
In the United States, the bZ4X arrived mid-2022 with limited trims and gradually expanded offerings as recall issues were resolved and production stabilized. In Europe, deliveries began in 2023, with market-by-market variations in trim availability and charging options.
Summary: The Toyota bZ4X debuted publicly in 2021, launched in the U.S. in June 2022, faced a late-2022 recall that paused some shipments, and then broadened to additional markets in 2023 and beyond as Toyota expanded its all-electric lineup.
Why is the bZ4X not selling?
The Toyota bZ4X hasn't sold well due to a combination of factors, including a major recall for potential wheel detachment, limited driving range, slower-than-average charging speeds, and a design and price that failed to stand out against competitors. While aggressive lease incentives did boost sales significantly in 2024, the vehicle has faced a steep sales decline in 2025 due to these ongoing issues. Toyota is addressing some of these concerns in its 2026 update.
This video explains Toyota's financial struggles with the bZ4X model: 57sEVPediaYouTube · Jan 13, 2025
Reasons for poor sales
- Major recalls: A critical safety recall occurred where wheels could fall off, forcing Toyota to halt sales and buy back vehicles, which severely damaged consumer confidence. Another recall involved a faulty defroster.
- Limited range and charging: Competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Ioniq 5 offer more competitive range, and the bZ4X's DC fast-charging capabilities were flagged as slow and road-trip unfriendly.
- Uncompetitive pricing and design: Even after price cuts, the bZ4X was seen by some as too expensive for its performance and features. Its design was also considered bland compared to competitors.
- Brand perception: Toyota's history of promoting hybrid vehicles and being critical of a full EV transition has made some consumers skeptical of their commitment to the EV market.
How Toyota plans to address the issues
- Updated model: Toyota is releasing an updated 2026 model to address complaints.
- Improved range: The new model offers a significantly improved driving range of up to 314 miles, a 25% increase over the 2025 model.
- New EV models: Toyota is also slated to release new electric models like the C-HR and BZ Woodland in 2026.
This video explains Toyota's financial struggles with the bZ4X model: 1mThe Electric VikingYouTube · Oct 8, 2025
What year did the Toyota bZ4X come out?
The Toyota bZ4X's first year was 2022, with the production model revealed in November 2021 and global sales beginning in mid-2022. It was officially launched in the U.S. in spring 2022, and the first models available to consumers are considered the 2023 model year.
- Debut: The U.S. production model was revealed in November 2021, with the official launch for the U.S. market occurring in Spring 2022.
- Availability: Sales to the public began in mid-2022, with the first models being the 2023 model year.
- Market Entry: Toyota announced sales in Japan would start in May 2022, and in the U.S., it started arriving at dealers in April 2022 and rolled out to all 50 states by the end of the year.
- Initial Sales: Toyota initially planned to bring a limited number of bZ4X models to the U.S. market in the first year due to supply constraints.
Why did the bZ4X fail?
Back in June, Toyota warned the owners of its BZ4X electric SUV that they should stop driving the vehicle and have it transported to a dealership. They issued this waning because of a severe problem; the wheels could fall off while driving even after a short time on the road.
Is bZ4X discontinued?
No, the Toyota bZ4X is not discontinued; it has been rebranded and redesigned for the 2026 model year as the Toyota bZ. This new model has a simplified name, new design elements, and a refreshed powertrain with improvements to range, charging speed, and performance.
This video explains the redesign and rebranding of the Toyota bZ4X into the 2026 Toyota bZ: 55sTechno RYouTube · May 20, 2025
Key changes for the 2026 model
- Name change: The "bZ4X" name is being dropped in favor of a simpler "bZ" name for the U.S. market.
- Redesigned exterior: The new model features a refreshed design, including a "hammerhead" front end and updated lighting elements.
- Improved performance: The 2026 bZ includes a new base model with a smaller battery, and has been updated with features like a pre-conditioning system for its battery to reduce charging times.
- Enhanced charging: The new model is compatible with the Tesla Supercharging network and has an upgraded 11 kW onboard AC charger, improving Level 2 charging speeds.
- Interior revisions: The interior includes a new 14.0-inch touchscreen, relocated climate controls, and a redesigned center console with wireless chargers.
This video discusses the discontinuation of the bZ4X in China and the introduction of the new Toyota bZ model: 1mKirk KreifelsYouTube · Mar 8, 2025
