2026 Toyota bZ First Drive: A Notable Improvement?

Motor Trend

4 days ago

The 2026 Toyota bZ's midcycle refresh goes somewhat beyond the usual. First, the name sheds some characters—gone is '4X,' leaving just 'bZ.' (It's short for 'Beyond Zero,' Toyota's planned nomenclature for electrified vehicles that's now been quietly shelved.)
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But the bigger story is in the powertrain. A slightly larger battery pack is teamed with new permanent-magnet motors to deliver more punch whether you go front- or all-wheel drive. The bZ can also go farther on a charge—a major sore spot from before when compared to the competition.
We drove a 2026 Toyota bZ Limited AWD and came away pleased with the changes. Now packing a slightly larger 74.7-kWh battery and a combined 338 hp, this version of Toyota's electric SUV feels noticeably more eager and refined.
It also ditches its CCS plug in favor of the now-standard North American Charging Standard (NACS)—aka the Tesla port—making it easier to juice up on the go. These upgrades alone make the new bZ a far more compelling choice than before.
Addressing the Main Concerns
In the fiercely competitive electric SUV segment, the bZ4X stuck out—but not in a good way. With a range of just 222 to 252 miles depending on the spec, it lagged well behind rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, which both comfortably clear the 300-mile range mark. The 2026 bZ isn't a range champ now, but it is a lot better with much more respectable figures of 235 to 314 miles.
There are also now two battery packs. The prior pack increases form 71.4 kWh to 74.7 kWh, while a smaller, 57.7-kWh pack is now used in the base model. However, even the base model has more range than before despite the smaller battery.
Another welcome upgrade for the 2026 Toyota bZ is that healthy boost in horsepower for all-wheel-drive models. The new bZ finally feels quick enough to hang with the pack. Toyota claims a 0–60-mph time of 4.9 seconds; we'll wait to put this EV through its paces with our testing equipment before stamping it official.
However, it's not all brighter sunshine and quicker acceleration. The base bZ—specifically the XLE with front-wheel drive—makes just 168 horsepower. We didn't get seat time in that version, but it sounds like a recipe for sluggish acceleration and a heavy feel.
Step up to the XLE FWD Plus or Limited FWD, and you'll get a more respectable 221 hp, which should be fine for daily driving.
In terms of styling, the awkward black body panels that made the front end look bulky and weird are gone. The new body-color panels are sleeker and give the 2026 bZ a cleaner, more polished—and less ugly—look.
How Does It Drive?
One area the bZ4X got right was ride quality. The 2026 bZ carries that torch forward; it glides over broken pavement and potholes with confidence, keeping the cabin calm and quiet. In fact, this is one of the nicest-riding Toyotas we've experienced. Body control stays tight through corners, and the handling feels settled and refined overall. It's the kind of composure you'd expect from a more premium badge.
We do wish Toyota had added more noise mitigation, as tire noise becomes quite noticeable at speeds above 50 mph. Some extra NVH tuning or sound-insulating glass could go a long way toward making the driving experience feel as refined as the ride. The steering strikes a nice balance—soft enough for comfort but connected enough to keep you engaged behind the wheel. The more powerful members of the lineup actually deliver some fun now.
Keeping the Goods and Some of the Bads
The 2026 Toyota bZ keeps the same overall dimensions as the outgoing bZ4X, with just a slight bump in ground clearance by about an eighth of an inch. Its wheelbase is longer than the freshly unveiled 2026 Toyota RAV4's, translating to seriously a spacious interior.
Back-seat passengers get generous head- and legroom, and with a flat floor, three adults can sit comfortably without feeling cramped. Cargo space is no slouch either: 27.7 cubic feet behind the second row and a whopping 94.4 cubic feet when the seats are folded down. There's plenty of room for gear, groceries, or weekend adventures.
The interior is a mostly inoffensive place, but we still don't love the speedometer's placement above the steering wheel rather than behind it. That pushes the steering wheel lower than usual, making for a somewhat awkward driving position that takes time to get used to.
The 2026 bZ's charging speed does not increase. All models still top out at 150 kW, which is average for the segment, and it means the bZ can't take full advantage of those ultra-fast 350-kW chargers popping up around the country. Toyota estimates it takes about 30 minutes to go from 10 to 80 percent, which is noticeably slower than rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which can hit that mark in just 18 minutes.
Is the 2026 Toyota bZ Worth It?
Those looking for a state-of-the-art EV won't necessarily find it in the bZ, but they will find a meaningfully updated SUV that brings Toyota's usual strengths to the electric world, namely a smooth ride and roomy interior.