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USA Today
3 days ago
- Automotive
- USA Today
2026 Toyota bZ review: Major upgrades make it a serious EV contender
2026 Toyota bZ review: Major upgrades make it a serious EV contender Show Caption Hide Caption Video first drive: 2026 Toyota bZ gets major makeover Big increases in power and range, new features and more make Toyota's renamed SUV a significant player among small SUVs. Improvements to the '26 bZ start at the EV's heart: battery, charging and motors. The Toyota bZ goes on sale in second half of 2025. 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. Key improvements to 2026 Toyota bZ 25% range increase to 314 miles 50% power increase to 338 horsepower NSCS charging port Plug & Charge compatibility Radical makeover 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. Toyota Tundra recall: Is Toyota's most expensive truck reliable or plagued with issues? 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. Driving impressions 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. Why buy a 2026 Toyota bZ? 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. 2026 Toyota bZ at a glance 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@ Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. 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The Drive
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
Good Luck Charging the Mercedes-Benz CLA EV
Wouldn't it be ironic if future-proofing something also meant it's unusable today? Such is the problem for anyone who gets the upcoming Mercedes-Benz CLA EV. Mercedes has confirmed that its new, entry-level electric vehicle is designed for 800-volt DC fast chargers, but as a result, it's not compatible at all with common 400-volt chargers—you're either charging ultra fast or ultra not at all. The new CLA EV is equipped with Tesla's North American Charging System (NACS) port. However, as InsideEVs reports, a Norwegian EV enthusiast discovered that the CLA doesn't support charging that is less than 500 volts, which consequently means the car won't be able to use any of the NACS stations throughout the Tesla Supercharger network after all. This isn't just a European problem because no Superchargers in the U.S. currently support 800-volt charging either. Who does? Coincidentally, Electrify America's entire charger network supports 1,000-volt charging. Oh, but CLA owners are going to need an adapter to use them. Although the CLA EV has both a NACS and J1772 charging port, EA stations utilize CHAdeMO for up to 50 kW of charging speed and CCS for speeds up to 350 kW. It remains to be seen whether Mercedes will be distributing CCS1 adapters, but as somewhat of a workaround, the in-car navigation system will direct drivers to the few and far between compatible stations. Home AC charging is also an option, of course, but that method takes hours. Gee, thanks, Mercedes. Mercedes-Benz Representatives from the automaker said this charging inconvenience cannot be remedied with a software update because the issue is a hardware one. And that was the plan all along. 'The CLA can't use 400-volt DC chargers,' a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson from Europe confirmed with InsideEVs . 'We consciously rely exclusively on pure 800-volt charging technology, where we do not have to make any compromises in charging performance.' From the U.S. side, the response was similar: 'While it is not possible to charge at 400-volt DC charging stations, the Mercedes-Benz navigation with Electric Intelligence leads to the compatible high-performance chargers, where charging with up to 320 kW is possible with the new CLA.' Sounds annoying, but it's really a fault of the current charging infrastructure, which is on an endless loop of playing catch-up. CLA EV owners aren't alone in this predicament, as other EV models, both luxury and otherwise, are set up with 800-volt architectures and higher. These include the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV9, Lucid Air, Lucid Gravity, and Porsche Taycan. The thing is, though, all of these other EVs can use lower-powered 400-volt chargers. Topping off the battery at one will take longer, but at least it still works. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are currently 61,261 Level 2 public charging stations nationwide. That figure drops to 12,234 for Level 3 DC fast chargers, of which 800-volt stations are a mere fraction. The number of EV charging stations is growing and the infrastructure is improving, but for CLA EV owners, probably not fast enough. On the brighter side, something tells us the lease deals on this thing are going to be absurd. Beverly Braga has enjoyed an eventful career as a Swiss Army knife, having held roles as an after-school teacher, film critic, PR manager, transcriber, and video producer – to name a few. She is currently a communications consultant and freelance writer whose work has appeared in numerous outlets covering automotive, entertainment, lifestyle, and food & beverage. Beverly grew up in Hawaii but roots for Washington, D.C., sports teams.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
How Much Does It Cost To Charge a Tesla?
Despite recent turbulence, Tesla still remains at the top of the list of manufacturers in the electric vehicles (EVs) market. And Tesla owners don't have to pay for gas, but they do have to pay to charge their cars — so do they save money overall? Read Next: For You: The cost of charging a Tesla depends on electricity rates, charging speed and battery capacity. Let's take a closer look. Typically, Tesla charging costs range from $13 to $18 for a full charge, according to 8MSolar. If you are thinking of switching from a gas-powered vehicle to a Tesla model, the cost to charge your vehicle at a charging station can range from free to upwards of $40. Several factors can affect this cost, the most important being the size of your Tesla battery pack and your location. After all, different-sized batteries take different amounts of time to charge and the cost of electricity varies by location as well. The amount of money you'll pay to charge your vehicle at a charging station largely depends on the charging station you use as well. Here are some key takeaways for what it costs to charge an electric vehicle: Prices at Electrify America stations range from $0.31 to $0.43 per kilowatt hour. Some charging stations, like Volta stations, are ad- and retailer-supported, and they are completely free to use. Considering most Tesla vehicles have a 50 kWh battery, the cost to charge the vehicle at a charging station ranges from absolutely free to around $22. If you have a 100kWh battery, it may cost up to $43 to charge your vehicle at a charging station. These estimations often put charging your Tesla at a 50% price reduction from average fuel costs. Good To Know: In the United States, the cost of electric utility services varies greatly depending on your area. For example, in Austin, Texas, the average residential electricity rate is around $0.12 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) whereas the average for San Francisco is much higher at $0.37 per kWh. The national average cost of electricity per kWh is $0.20. On the other hand, if your home charging comes from solar power, your cost will be substantially less. These statistics are good to know when comparing to gas prices or considering charging networks' average costs, which are as follows: A 50 kWh Tesla battery costs about $13 to charge. A 100 kWh Tesla battery costs about $18 to charge. The national average gas price as of March 2025 is $3.08 per gallon Tesla Superchargers are the big thing in electric vehicle charging right now. Although Tesla doesn't share its pricing, several reviews suggest it costs an average of $25 to fill up at Tesla Supercharge stations or report typical costs of around $0.25 per kWh. Level 3 Superchargers are capable of extra-fast charging speed, giving Tesla drivers between 162 and 200 miles of range in about 15 minutes. The effect charging your Tesla will have on your electric bill largely depends on two factors: Electricity cost per kWh in your location The amount you drive Simply put, the more your energy company charges you for electricity, the more it will cost you to charge a Tesla at home. Moreover, the more you drive, the more you'll need to charge. The average American drives about 1,200 miles per month. Teslas have between 50 and 100 kWh batteries with the average Tesla range being around 267 miles. With the average cost per kWh in the U.S. being $0.20, the average increase to your electric bill if you charge your Tesla at home 100% of the time could be somewhere between $50 and $100. Keep in mind that these are broad averages. Drawing on the examples presented, if you live in California, you'll likely see a much higher increase in your electricity bill than someone who lives in Texas would. The bottom line is that with ever-increasing gas prices, EVs are simply more cost-effective for your monthly budget. As such, it's significantly cheaper to charge most Teslas at home or at a charging station than fill up your tank at a gas station. More From GOBankingRatesI'm a Retired Boomer: 6 Bills I Canceled This Year That Were a Waste of Money This article originally appeared on How Much Does It Cost To Charge a Tesla? Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
'Fun on the road or trail': Why rugged EVs are now in demand
If Sophie Dower had her way, she'd be rock crawling and ripping donuts in her Ford Mach-E Rally every weekend. The Santa Clara, California, resident said she was a "die-hard Jeep person" before she purchased the Mach-E Rally, the more extreme version of the automaker's electric crossover, last August. Its design -- 19-inch rally-style alloy wheels, racing stripes and prominent rear-spoiler -- are instant conversation starters at the off-road park she frequents with her husband. "People ask me all the time, 'Tell me about your car, it looks really cool,'" she told ABC News. "Half the people think it's just a trim package. Others say, 'What did you do to the Mach-E? This can't be stock.'" Going electric hasn't hampered Dower's off-roading lifestyle. She "tops off" her Mach-E Rally at an Electrify America station near the state park, grabbing lunch while the vehicle's battery is recharged. Twenty minutes later she's in her element, sloshing through mud and testing the capability of the Mach-E. Then she makes the nearly three-hour trek back to her house. "I get home with about 10% battery left," she said. "I haven't had any close calls with range." Electric vehicle sales in the U.S. are rising; however, convincing the majority of mainstream Americans to permanently ditch internal combustion cars and trucks continues to be an industry-wide problem. "EVs will take off when they can charge quickly and when the experience mimics a gas-powered car," Tony Quiroga, editor-in-chief of Car and Driver, told ABC News. Automakers are now targeting niche markets to boost sales. Instead of highlighting range or battery times, selling points include an EV's off-road capability and weekend warrior cred. Plus, the latest electrics have the brawny, boxlike styling that consumers seek. "The ruggedness of an SUV and truck is really appealing," said Quiroga. "People like lifted trucks and sitting higher. Trucks and SUVs are returning to their roots." According to a recent survey from AutoPacific, an automotive forecasting firm, consumers who intend to purchase an EV care a lot more about its off-road appearance and performance package than other features. "Beefier suspension, off-road tires, locking differential, skid plates, ruggedness -- EV shoppers are definitely more interested in all of this," Robby DeGraff, manager of product and consumer insights, told ABC News. "We really haven't seen that many rugged and off-roading EVs with the exception of the Rivian R1T and R1S and Hummer EV. Off-roading is hot and it's smart for automakers to try to make their vehicles more exciting." MORE: How the pandemic brought out the off-road 'animal spirits' in drivers The good news for consumers is that there's a long list of rugged EVs coming in the next two years. EV startup Rivian introduced the R3 compact SUV and the more sporty R3X last year. This winter, Volvo launched the EX30 Cross Country, a small SUV that can perform skillfully on muddy tracks and ankle-deep snow. Its got the looks, too: rear skid plates, mud flaps, a roof basket and wheel arch extensions. Scout Motors is taking reservations online for its two highly anticipated EVs, the Traveler SUV and Terra truck. Several available models can scratch the off-roading itch now: the Ford Mach-E Rally, GMC Hummer EV, Mercedes-Benz G580, Chevy Silverado EV and Rivian's R1T and R1S. Hyundai recently added the XRT trim to its Ioniq 5. Evangelists and novices alike will be pleased with the hatchback's 0.9-inch suspension lift, unique tuning, multi-terrain mode and bolder, more rugged appearance. "We're at a point now where automakers have to take the next step to boost EV sales -- it's not just charging and 0-60 mph times," said DeGraff. "Consumers are willing to spend thousands of dollars on high-performance packages and off-road equipment." MORE: The warming planet is changing the ecosystem. It's also bad for automakers Donna Dickson, chief engineer of the Mach-E Rally, said Ford, like its competitors, is developing EVs for drivers who "love being outdoors." "We're showing customers that EVs can do just about anything," she told ABC News, noting that the Mach-E Rally "can go and play anywhere." "The vehicle has anti-roll bars, underbody protection plates and a rear spoiler, plus tuned suspension and unique wheels," she said. "With 265 miles of range, you can get to the trail and back." But there are serious drawbacks to taking an EV in the backwoods and country, according to Jason Torchinsky, co-founder of The Autopian website. "EVs have a lot of compromises if you want to go off-roading," he told ABC News. "The logistics are harder. There are fewer charging stations in remote areas. Off-road vehicles need to be boxy, tall and large with big wheels and specialized tires -- these are terrible for range." He pointed to the Chevy Silverado EV, which has a curb weight of 8,800 pounds. "Boulders could crack and be crushed and if you get stuck, recovery is a huge issue now," he said. "The truck will sink because it's so heavy." Torchinsky said having a gas-powered range extender in an EV, which Scout Motors is providing for its EVs, makes a lot of sense when adventure calls. Massive battery packs can add more range but they, too, come with drawbacks: added weight. Plus, hefty suspensions and body parts can quickly raise the cost of a vehicle, Torchinsky said. "If you want to go off-road in an EV, it's certainly worth a try," he said. "I don't want to discourage anyone. EVs are capable but they don't make a lot of sense." He added, "Cars are irrational purchases and people will buy something because they think it's cool." DeGraff agreed, noting that many of these EV owners are "likely not going 4x4ing a lot." "They're buying them for the design and extra capability -- and to get through a snowstorm," he said. "No one wants an 8,000-pound vehicle damaging the great outdoors." Chevrolet is trying to woo traditional truck disciples by demonstrating just how capable an electric truck can be in grueling conditions. Earlier this month, the U.S. automaker entered its Silverado EV ZR2 off-road race truck concept in the annual Mint 400. The truck's performance in the desert, thanks to its electric propulsion system -- 1,100 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft of torque -- surprised the engineers, according to Tim Demetrio, manager of Chevy Performance engineering and motorsports competition. "We only had a week or two of testing in the desert before the race," he told ABC News. "We had some predictions on energy consumption. The truck went faster than expected and used less energy, so it was a win-win." Truck fans can look forward to the upcoming Silverado EV Trail Boss, said Demetrio, a self-described "gearhead." "The Trail Boss gives you added capability if you want to be a weekend warrior," he said. "It has a 2-inch lift, a new terrain mode and 35-inch all-terrain tires. We're building an enthusiast market around EVs." Demetrio argued that internal combustion vehicles have plenty of their own limitations outdoors. "There's more exposed componentry -- the transfer case, transmission, drive shaft -- plus greater potential for fluid leaks," he said. "This can leave you stranded in the desert." Brandon Girmus, a product planning manager at Jeep, has experienced firsthand the benefits of electrification in distant locales. He's taken the popular Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid to Hell's Revenge in Moab, Utah, a hazardous trail with steep climbs and descents. "You need plenty of torque at the wheels to safely negotiate that 30 percent grade," Girmus told ABC News. "EVs are superior in terms of torque delivery -- that's the beauty of an EV. Off-roading is all about maximizing torque." Girmus, like Demetrio, objected to the perception that EVs are inferior to internal combustion models. "There's a torque curve with ICE vehicles ... you don't reach your max torque right away," he explained. "You have to spool up that engine to a higher RPM, which increases the vehicle's rate of speed. With an electric vehicle, you have that max torque instantly -- as soon as you press on the accelerator." The company's second all-electric Jeep, the Recon, won't be available until later this year. Until then, Girmus is encouraging Wrangler 4xe owners to get out in nature. Plus, the company is in the process of installing charging stations at highly trafficked parks and trails. "Before I drove a Wrangler 4xe off-road, I was skeptical," he said. "But once I drove one in electric mode, I was hooked and forever changed." 'Fun on the road or trail': Why rugged EVs are now in demand originally appeared on
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The Lucid Gravity Is About to Gain Access to Tesla Superchargers
It's been just about a month since the first Lucid Gravity SUVs began arriving to customers, but the automaker is already rolling out a change that promises to be a major ease of use improvement for owners. That's because, as of January 31st, every Lucid Gravity will gain access to the Tesla Supercharger network — with no need for any additional adapter. The announcement shouldn't come as much of a shock to Gravity owners, given that the SUV is the first non-Tesla vehicle to be produced with the brand's North American Charging Standard (NACS) port. Lucid even went as far as to position the port on the rear driver's side of the vehicle for ease of use at the latest Tesla charging stations, which is an issue that other owners have faced when using adapters on the recently-opened network. 'Lucid Gravity offers next-level fast charging speeds and seamless access to the top charging networks including Tesla Superchargers and Electrify America,' said Emad Dlala, vice-president of powertrain at Lucid. 'To enable this experience for our customers, we developed new, unique technology to allow the 926-volt Lucid Gravity to charge seamlessly at up to 400 kW on 1000-volt charging equipment and at sustained speeds of up to 225 kW on 500-volt architecture fast chargers, including Tesla V3 Superchargers.' The ability to jump between charging networks with ease makes living with an EV easier, which is also why the brand will include CCS1-to-NACS and SAE J1772-to-NACS adapters with the Gravity. Thanks to the 900-volt architecture, the Gravity can add as much as 200 miles of range to its 123-kWh battery pack in just 12 minutes. (Not that you'll have to stop and charge that often, given that Lucid says the truck will do around 450 miles per fill-up.) You can even use some of that spare range to top up other EVs, thanks to bi-directional charging capabilities. These benefits aren't limited to the Gravity alone, however. Lucid will also extend seamless access to the Tesla Supercharger network to its Air sedan customers during the second quarter of 2025. Expect an update from the brand with specific timing in a few months time. Hopefully, easier access to fast charging is able to convince more people to give the brand's products a try. We surely weren't disappointed with our last Lucid experience. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
