Toyota has launched its first fully electric vehicle in Kenya, the bZ4X, through CFAO Mobility Kenya.
The launch took place today at the CFAO Mobility Toyota Showroom along Uhuru Highway and marks the brand’s entry into the country’s growing EV market after six decades of selling petrol and diesel vehicles in Kenya.
The name bZ4X stands for Beyond Zero, 4-Wheel Crossover. On a full charge, the car can travel up to 516 kilometers and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds.
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It comes with all-wheel drive and an X-Mode setting with grip control, which helps the car handle slippery or loose surfaces.
Ground clearance ranges from 206 to 212 millimeters, and the vehicle can wade through water up to 500 millimeters deep, making it suited to both paved roads and rougher terrain.
Charging is handled through a 150kW DC fast charger, which can take the battery from 10 to 80% in about 30 minutes. The battery itself is covered by an 8-year or 120,000-kilometer warranty.
CFAO says it will support the car through its network of 43 branches and service centers across the country, with technicians trained specifically to handle EV maintenance and repairs.
Speaking at the launch, CFAO Managing Director Arvinder Reel said the bZ4X allows customers to get strong electric performance without giving up the durability Toyota is known for.
Deputy Managing Director Joshua Anya described the car as part of Toyota’s broader plan to reduce carbon emissions through a mix of vehicle technologies, not electric cars alone.
The bZ4X is built on Toyota’s e-TNGA platform, an architecture designed for electric vehicles that keeps the car’s center of gravity low for better stability on the road.
Its exterior follows Toyota’s recent design language, featuring a front-end look the company calls “hammerhead,” along with styling meant to reduce drag.
Inside, the cabin is built around what Toyota calls a “Family Lounge” layout, aiming to give every seat, not just the front ones, a similar level of comfort and space.
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On safety, the bZ4X includes Toyota’s latest Safety Sense package, which covers a pre-collision warning system, lane trace assist to help keep the car centered in its lane, and safe exit assist, which warns passengers of approaching traffic or cyclists before they open a door.
The launch comes as Kenya‘s EV market continues to expand. By 2025, electric vehicle registrations in the country had passed 35,000, reflecting rising interest in alternatives to fuel-powered cars amid ongoing shifts in the energy sector.
The bZ4X retails at KES 11 million, inclusive of VAT.
