Look out GM, Ford and Honda: Toyota just got serious about EVs with 2026 bZ small SUV
PLANO, Texas – The 2026 Toyota bZ makes a leap forward with improvements for everything from the subcompact EV's name to its charging system. The 2022 bZ4X was an uncharacteristic disappointment from the world's largest automaker. Overpriced and under-equipped, it was hamstrung by everything from uncompetitive technology to a ludicrous name.
Toyota listened to its critics and turned one of the world's most formidable continuous improvement machines loose.
Renamed the bZ ― still not poetry, but the badge no longer looks like a laser printer threw up ― the new model is competitive with small electric SUVs like the Kia Niro, Hyundai Kona and Fiat 500e.
The 2026 bZ goes on sale in the second half of 2025. Detailed figures for price, range and charging will be available later.
I recently drove a loaded bZ Limited through the exurbs surrounding Toyota's North America headquarters in Plano. It felt like a completely different vehicle from the bZ4X Limited I tested a couple of months ago.
More: 2025 Toyota bZ4X EV disappoints, but a change may be coming
25% range increase to 314 miles
50% power increase to 338 horsepower
NSCS charging port
Plug & Charge compatibility
Improvements to the '26 bZ start at the EV's heart: battery, charging and motors.
The bZ gets two sizes of lithium-ion battery: a 74.7 kWh unit delivers up to 314 miles range and a 57.7 kWh unit rated at 236 miles. The battery is now capable of pre-conditioning, which speeds up charging and reduces energy use in cold weather.
More: 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 SUV brings style and tech to electric family haulers
A built-in NACS charging port provides access to Tesla's DC fast charging network. An adaptor will be necessary for CCS chargers common at other charging stations. An onboard charger upgraded from 7 to 11 kW will hasten charging at the 240v connections most EV owners use at home. Plug & Charge software makes charging fast and easy at participating chargers including Electrify America, EVgo, ChargePoint and Tesla.
Maximum power increases dramatically, from 214 to 338 hp for the AWD model and 201 to 221 hp for FWD.
The exterior styling benefits from updated front LED running lights and fascia that bring the nose into harmony with Toyota's "hammerhead" nose. Body-color front fascia and cladding around the wheels is also new.
The '26 fairly leaps away from stops compared with its under-power predecessor. Toyota claims a 4.9-seconds 0-60 mph for the AWD bZ. It was mum on the previous model's acceleration, and not out of modesty.
The steering was responsive in my time in neighborhoods, shopping districts and along wide, smooth roads that curved between corporate campuses and public parks.
The brakes are firm and easy to modulate. New steering column paddles adjust regenerative braking to recapture energy, but there's no one-pedal setting to bring the bZ to a full stop.
The front seat is roomy, with a big center console that holds two new wireless charging pads. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
The new dash has a 14-inch touch screen. The instrument cluster is new, too, bigger and easier to read.
A heat pump reduces energy use for heating and cooling the cabin.
Standard heated steering wheel and front seats further reduce cold-weather energy use. Climate control options include ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and a radiant front-seat foot and leg heater.
Price and charging time are huge unknowns, but there's lots to like about the 2026 Toyota bZ.
Its improved power and battery size give it competitive performance and range. Revised lights and exterior color pattern make it look like a grown-up vehicle, as opposed to the bZ4X's cobbled-together appearance.
The interior of my bZ Limited was comfortable, trimmed in appealing soft materials and roomy.
It's a huge step forward to Toyota's EV status, worth a look from anybody shopping for a small electric SUV.
Front- or all-wheel drive compact electric SUV
Seats five
Base price: TBA
On sale second half of 2025
Model tested: bZ AWD Limited
Price as tested: TBA
Power: One electric motor on each axle (167 kW front/87 rear)
Output: 338 hp; torque NA
Transmission: Single-speed direct drive
0-60 mph: 4.9 seconds AWD, 8 seconds FWD (estimate)
Battery: 74.7 or 57.7 kWh lithium-ion
EPA estimated range on a charge: 314 miles FWD; 288 miles AWD; 236 miles; FWD 57.7 kWh battery
Maximum charging speed: 150 kW DC; 11 kW 240v AC
Charging time: TBA
Maximum charging rate: 150 kW
Wheelbase: 112.2 inches
Length: 184.6 inches
Width: 73.2 inches
Height: 65 inches
Ground clearance: 8.2 inches
Passenger volume: 94.4 cubic feet
Cargo volume: 27.7 cubic feet behind rear seat (25.8 w/JBL speakers)
Curb weight: 4,453 pounds
Assembled in Aichi, Japan
Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2026 bZ is proof that Toyota just got serious about EVs
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