The 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland is the Subaru Trailseeker's Twin
For an EV that wasn't getting much love, the revised bZ4X (renamed bZ for 2026) is the center of the brand's attention right now. For the 2026 model year, Toyota is adding a more rugged variant known as the bZ Woodland. No, the Woodland moniker isn't a trim level the way it is on the RAV4 and the Sienna. This time around, the bZ Woodland is its own model, and there's more to it than just a name. If it looks familiar, that's because the recently announced 2026 Subaru Trailseeker is its twin and will sell alongside the smaller Solterra. Here's what we know about the new bZ Woodland for 2026.
The 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland might look very similar to its shorter sibling, but it trades the standard bZ's new and more refined body-colored wheel arches for black cladding and mounts them over fresh 18-inch wheels with removable covers. Buyers can also choose all-terrain tires, while a smidge of a suspension lift adds 0.1 inch of ground clearance, for a total of 8.3 inches, matching the Trailseeker. Rugged black roof rails and flatter, reshaped taillights mimic those found on the Prius, Camry Hybrid, and the new electric CH-R. A larger quarter window hints at the model's increased overall length, up nearly six inches from the bZ's 184.6 inches to 190.2.
Unlike the standard bZ, which offers both front- and all-wheel drive along with two battery choices, the Woodland provides a standard dual-motor AWD setup. It would be tough to back up the Woodland name with two-wheel drive. There will also be what's known as the X-MODE system, a function that allows the driver to flip a switch and select a mode according to the road conditions, which will automatically change to optimize brake control and power delivery at the wheels for improved control and traction. While you won't go bouldering in the Woodland, it can take more than just gravel trails.
Whereas the standard bZ gets a 57.7-kWh battery pack, the Woodland boasts the same optional 74.7-kWh battery pack as the bZ with an estimated 260 miles of range. Like other models in the bZ family, the Woodland includes an NACS charging port, providing charging convenience at Tesla's robust Supercharger network. DC fast-charging from 10 to 80 percent takes about 30 minutes.
In terms of performance, the Woodland is no slouch. It delivers 375 horsepower, 37 more than the standard AWD bZ. It should prove to be about as quick as the Subaru Trailseeker, which clocks in at 4.4 seconds from 0 to 60. Towing capacity is rated at 3,500 pounds, though range will drop significantly when hauling heavy loads, not atypical of most EVs. Cargo space is "over 30 cubic feet", according to Toyota, which is a little more than the bZ's 27.7 cubic feet.
The 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland comes with a Panoramic View Monitor with Multi-Terrain Monitor, SofTex-trimmed seating, a 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen, dual wireless Qi charging, and ambient lighting. There's a single upgrade Premium Package that comes with a JBL Premium audio system, a large fixed glass panoramic roof, a digital rearview mirror that provides an unobstructed image of what's behind, ventilated front seats, a memory driver seat, and memory side view mirrors.
Pricing for the bZ Woodland hasn't been announced, but it's expected to exceed the 2025 bZ4X XLE AWD's starting price of $40,545 (including $1,395 destination charge). Full specifications and pricing will be revealed closer to its launch in early 2026.
It's great to see Toyota finally infusing life into its bZ line, and it couldn't come at a better time to boost the model's sales. Adding a larger, more rugged version to the lineup is a smart move, and simplifying the name can't hurt matters, either. The bZ Woodland has enough range to be compelling, and the additional power puts it up there with some of the quicker electric crossovers. While it won't satisfy real off-roaders, it's a compelling choice for eco-conscious families who want to do more than just cruise the boulevard and run weekend errands.
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