Toyota’s all-electric bZ4X gets a price haircut for 2025, along with a stealthy new Nightshade Edition to spice things up. But is that enough to pull more buyers toward Toyota’s only EV offering in the U.S.? Let’s dig into the details.
The Big Price Drop
For 2025, Toyota (TM) seems to have realized that $43,000 for a compact EV was pushing its luck. The bZ4X XLE now starts at $38,465, including Toyota’s $1,395 destination fee. That’s a $6,000 price drop compared to last year, and it firmly plants the base model below the $40K mark.
- XLE FWD: $38,465 (252 miles of range)
- XLE AWD: $40,545 (228 miles of range)
Move up to the Limited trim and the savings keep coming. The top-tier bZ4X Limited FWD now starts at $43,195, while the AWD version costs $45,275—each down by $5,380 from 2024.
The price cuts make the bZ4X a far more competitive option in the EV crossover space, where rivals like the Ford (F) Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Ioniq 5 dominate.
Nightshade Edition: Blacked Out and Amped Up
Toyota’s Nightshade Edition makes its bZ4X debut for 2025. Based on the XLE AWD trim, the Nightshade gets the full black-out treatment:
- Black badges, door handles, and rear spoiler
- Black 20-inch alloy wheels
- Optional two-tone exterior (Wind Chill Pearl or Heavy Metal with a black roof)
- Inside: SofTex seats, red contrast stitching, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel
The price? $41,815, positioning the Nightshade just below the Limited trim. If you want to look like an electric ninja on wheels, this one’s for you.
Tech Upgrades Where It Matters
The Limited trim gains a few key driver-assist features for 2025:
- Traffic Jam Assist: Hands-free driving below 25 mph in heavy traffic (requires Drive Connect subscription)
- Lane Change Assist
- Front Cross-Traffic Alert
Beyond that, the 12.3-inch center touchscreen, panoramic glass roof, and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 all remain standard across the lineup.
Range and Performance: No Surprises Here
Toyota didn’t touch the bZ4X’s powertrain or battery for 2025, so the range and performance numbers stay the same:
- XLE FWD: 201 hp, 252 miles
- XLE AWD / Nightshade: 214 hp, 228 miles
- Limited FWD: 236 miles
- Limited AWD: 222 miles
These figures are fine for most commuters, but they don’t exactly scream innovation. The AWD models offer a marginal 13 hp bump, but it’s unlikely anyone will notice. If you want thrills, you’re still better off looking elsewhere.
The Bigger Picture: Can Lower Prices Save the bZ4X?
Let’s be honest—sales for the bZ4X have been sluggish. Toyota moved just 13,577 units through September this year. For context, Ford sold over 35,000 Mach-Es in the same period.
The $6,000 price cut is a smart move, but is it enough to lure more buyers? Toyota’s EV hesitance (and focus on hybrids) hasn’t exactly built excitement around the bZ4X. That said, the new Nightshade trim adds some much-needed style points, and Toyota sweetens the deal with one year of free EVgo charging and the option to bundle a ChargePoint Level 2 home charger with your lease or purchase.
Charge Complete
For 2025, Toyota’s playing catch-up in the EV game. The bZ4X’s lower price tag makes it far more approachable, while the Nightshade Edition adds a layer of cool to an otherwise understated EV.
It’s a solid step forward—but with competitors pushing faster and flashier, Toyota’s all-electric future still feels like it’s in first gear.
It’s ugly. Steering wheel cuts across instrument panel. Tiny range competitive only with a Leaf, and slow to charge. No rear wiper. Excuse please, WTH?