Toyota is Getting Serious About EVs, and the 2026 Toyota bZ Shows Just How Much
We took the Toyota bZ for a spin and after catching our collective breath, found a lot to love in this revamped EV.
Sometimes you need to live an experience to learn from it. That can be said about the 2026 Toyota bZ, the second generation of the first electric SUV from Toyota, formerly known as the bZ4x.
For 2026, the bZ, as it’s now known—and which puts the image of a busy bee in my head—Toyota has clearly learned a lot and is not shy to share. The new and improved EV now goes further, delivers more power and has more capability, all in addition to the shorter, snappier, and easier-to-remember name.
The bZ isn’t the only new or revamped EV in Toyota’s 2026 lineup; we’ll also see an EV version of the CH-R, a new Lexus RZ F Sport and an EV version of the Lexus ES, as well as more models offering only hybrid and PHEV versions, including the uber-popular Toyota RAV4. In all, it shows Toyota’s progress on its march toward full electrified efficiency. To get a feel for where the journey will take us, we hopped in the cute and clever bZ to go for a spin and see how far Toyota has come.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. Additionally, I was Toyota’s guest for this test drive, but all opinions are 100% my own.
It’s Better to Be Best Than Be First
This idea describes part of Toyota’s pragmatic approach to its cars, trucks, and SUVs. As a brand that’s known for reliability and longevity, the brand likes to rigorously test every detail to know it will go the distance. That’s not easy to do in the age of EVs; hybrid technology, which Toyota led, is not yet 30 years old, and EVs are much younger. There just isn’t a ton of experience to lean on yet.
Which explains why the first Toyota bZ4x was not as well received as some of the brand’s other cars and SUVs, such as the Prius or the RAV4: The company needed to put a product out there and learn from it.
They did this with the Prius—early models were nothing like they are now—and even the RAV4, which took a while to become the powerhouse it is today.
For 2026, Toyota made huge strides with the bZ; it’s more delightful inside, more fun to drive, and now, includes an off-road Woodland edition.
Read: Toyota RAV4 Woodland vs. Subaru Forester: The Ultimate Off-Road Hybrid Showdown
More Power and More Miles in the 2026 Toyota bZ
Getting serious about EVs includes letting these cars do what they do so well: go the distance, quickly. The bZ offers six power and range options:
- The front wheel drive XLE model, with a single motor, will deliver 235 miles of range and 168 HP
- XLE Plus, also FWD, will deliver a 314-mile range and 221 HP
- XLE AWD will have a range of 288 miles and 338 HP—and will likely be the sweet spot for buyers
- The Limited FWD model will have a range of 299 miles and a power output of 221 HP
- Limited AWD is estimated to have a 278-mile range and 338 HP
- The Woodland Edition will have a 260-mile range and power output of 375 HP
Read: I Took a Solo Road Trip in the Mustang Mach-E Using Public EV Chargers. This is How It Went
More Comforts Fill the 2026 Toyota bZ’s Cabin
Getting into the bZ, you instantly see it: Double phone charge pads that sit side by side, allowing you and your bestie to charge wirelessly at the same time. What you’ll have to fight over is the under-console storage bin (ahem, it’s for the driver), which is small but very convenient. Anyone who really needs to plug in a phone can do it there, too; two USB-C ports are tucked into the space, and there are two on the rear of the center console.
Our Limited AWD edition also featured a panoramic sunroof, SofTex leatherette seats (XLE models are finished with cloth seats), heated front seats, ambient lighting, a premium JBL sound system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The new, larger multimedia screen features the Toyota operating system with navigation, system settings, and “Hey Toyota” voice assistance, which is one of my favorite features in any car.
Read: The 2024 Subaru Solterra is a Beautifully Rugged All-Electric SUV
The bZ’s EV Drive System Features Some Smart Details
There are the things you expect on an EV: to see your range, to easily find charge stations, and a nav system that takes you near charge stations on your route.
And then, some things are complete delights, and that’s where I’d put this clever notification on the driver display: as you change the fan speed or cabin temperature, the driving range changes. You can see just how many miles you’ll get with the temperature set to 78 versus 68, and even how it changes as you change the fan speed (this is the fan and air icon on the driver display). The outside temperature was quite warm during our test drive, but we were able to add (or subtract) about 50 miles of the range just by changing the climate settings.
And then, it comes with plug & charge. Add your payment information to your Toyota app and then plug the car in to a charger, and it automatically charges both your car and your credit card. It’s so easy and so good.
Driving, and Parking, the Toyota bZ
We drove the Limited AWD and can say for certain, it tosses you back in your seat when you floor the accelerator. And it was fun. I loved having navigation on the driver display, which, as with the Prius, sits back toward the windshield and away from the driver. Even though it’s not right in front of you, everything is easy to see, including your level of regenerative braking.
Regen braking is found on the bZ’s steering wheel; paddles can be pulled to adjust the amount of regen you’re using as you drive. You’ll see it indicated by the down arrows next to the “D” on the driver display. Each pull of the left paddle adds another down arrow and more regenerative braking; each pull of the right paddle reduces regen braking.
Another feature we tried out and really loved is the auto park feature. Push a button (with a steering wheel icon) just next to the air vents and under the starter button. Then, you’ll be prompted through the stages of auto park: the Bz will find a spot and steer into it, managing the car’s speed, braking, gear shifting, and turning.
I love this feature for drivers with limited mobility, who perhaps can’t fully turn to look behind the car or have trouble seeing past the car’s corners, or for whom parking, especially parallel parking, is a challenge.
The Toyota bZ Is Built with a Tesla-Style NACS Charger
As a 2026 model, the Toyota bZ will be delivered with a Tesla-style NACS charger built in. The good news is that if you already have, or buy, a NACS home charger, you’re set for the future. More good news: you can use the vast and fairly reliable Tesla Supercharger network.
And then, more good news: Toyota is providing adaptors for CCS1 level 1, 2, and 3 chargers, the dual charger outlet found on most cars until now. So, essentially all public chargers are open to the bZ, and as more public chargers switch over to NACS, you’re set.
The bZ Woodland Edition Completes the Picture
This might be the most exciting part of the 2026 Toyota bZ lineup: A Woodland edition designed for off-roading will be offered. It was developed in partnership with Subaru, which introduced the Trailseeker EV, essentially an electrified version of the Subaru Outback, earlier this year.
The Woodland edition is equipped with standard AWD, off-road drive modes, a panoramic view camera with terrain modes, rugged reinforced roof rails, leatherette seating, and it’s slightly longer and taller with more interior space; buyers can add all-terrain tires and premium features including an upgraded JBL sound system.
Driving the Limited edition left me wanting more, and there is certainly more to discover when the bZ makes its way to dealerships in the latter half of 2025, which is when pricing will be announced, too. Toyota has solved so many early issues and found a lot of ways to improve what was already a pretty good start on Toyota’s EV journey.
More About:Car Reviews