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USA Today
13 hours 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. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Drive Further for Less — Meet the Hybrid SUVs Under $45K That Save You Big at the Pump
Hybrid SUVs are getting a lot of attention lately. Because of their comfort, spaciousness, and utility, they are an attractive option for many car buyers. Add to that their increased fuel efficiency, and you have one hot market sector. This article explores the most affordable and fuel-efficient SUVs on the market today. We will examine both standard hybrid SUVs and affordable plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Note that many SUVs on this list appear twice, once for the standard hybrid SUV and once for the PHEV version. For each SUV, we will report some hard numbers on mileage and gas savings so you can make the most informed decision about what to buy. We have ordered this list from the least expensive to the most expensive manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP). All of the MSRPs on this list are below $45,000, making them within affordable reach for most new car buyers. We also examined the fuel efficiency and EPA-estimated gas savings of the hybrid SUV compared to the standard non-hybrid model. If there was no non-hybrid model for comparison, we compared the hybrid SUV with the average 2024 vehicle's 28 miles per gallon (mpg), per the EPA's Average Annual Fuel Savings data. Lastly, we looked at each vehicle's overall value and utility with details about the car's passenger room, cargo room, and performance on the road. All of the vehicle information comes from the manufacturers' websites. The 2025 Kia Niro Hybrid gets 53 mpg in the city, 54 mpg on the highway, and 53 mpg combined. There is no non-hybrid version of the Niro. The EPA-estimated annual fuel savings compared to the average 2024 vehicle is $819 per year, or $69 in gas savings per month. The Kia Niro offers great mileage and a lot of utility at a very affordable price. While its standard hybrid powertrain may not be as quick and powerful as its plug-in hybrid sibling (also listed in this article), it does the job for running errands around town and getting the kids from point A to point B. As a small crossover, the Niro's five-seat cabin is snug, but it can comfortably seat four adults. Cargo space behind the rear seats is 22.8 cubic feet. The 2025 all-wheel drive (AWD) Corolla Cross Hybrid gets 45 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway, and 42 mpg combined. By comparison, the non-hybrid Corolla Cross gets 30 mpg combined. The EPA-estimated annual fuel savings over the non-hybrid Corolla Cross is $463 per year, or $39 in gas savings per month. The Corolla Cross Hybrid is not only considerably more fuel-efficient than the standard Corolla Cross, but it's also quicker and more powerful, with three electric motors assisting the gas engine. The five-seat interior has adequate space to seat four adults comfortably. The small crossover offers 21.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. The 2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid gets 42 mpg in the city, 44 mpg on the highway, and 43 mpg combined. By comparison, the non-hybrid Sportage gets 28 mpg combined. The EPA-estimated annual fuel savings over the non-hybrid Sportage is $605 per year, or $51 in gas savings per month. The Kia Sportage really hits the sweet spot when it comes to affordability, fuel efficiency, and utility. It offers a smooth and comfortable ride and has a more powerful engine than its non-hybrid counterpart. Its spacious, five-passenger cabin offers excellent head and legroom in both rows. Its cargo room is massive for its segment, clocking in at 39.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. The 2025 AWD Toyota RAV4 Hybrid gets 41 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway, and 39 mpg combined. By comparison, the non-hybrid AWD RAV4 gets 30 mpg combined. The EPA-estimated annual fuel savings over the non-hybrid RAV4 is $374 per year, or $31 in gas savings per month. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a practical choice for car buyers who want fuel efficiency, comfort, and cargo space wrapped in one sensible package. The hybrid has a stronger powertrain than the non-hybrid RAV4, offering excellent acceleration. There is ample head and legroom in both rows, and the cargo space behind the rear seats is a roomy 37.5 cubic feet. The 2025 AWD Ford Escape Hybrid gets 42 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 39 mpg combined. By comparison, the non-hybrid AWD Escape gets 28 mpg combined. The EPA-estimated annual fuel savings over the non-hybrid Escape is $490 per year, or $41 in gas savings per month. The Ford Escape Hybrid has a lot going for it in the fuel efficiency department and offers a comfortable ride as a daily commuter vehicle or an around-town family car. The cabin offers lots of passenger room, with plenty of legroom in the adjustable, sliding rear seats. Cargo space is adequate, measuring 33.5 cubic feet. The 2025 AWD Hyundai Tucson Hybrid gets 38 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway, and 38 mpg combined. By comparison, the AWD non-hybrid Tucson gets 26 mpg combined. The EPA-estimated annual fuel savings over the non-hybrid Tucson is $590 per year, or $49 in gas savings per month. While offering significantly more fuel efficiency over the standard non-hybrid Tucson, the Tucson Hybrid also has a more powerful engine, making for quicker acceleration and a more pleasurable drive. Passenger space is ample, with plenty of legroom in the rear seats, which also recline. It also offers some of the largest cargo space in its segment, with 38.7 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats. The 2025 AWD Mazda CX-50 Hybrid gets 39 mpg in the city, 37 mpg on the highway, and 38 mpg combined. By comparison, the non-hybrid AWD CX-50 gets 28 mpg combined. The EPA-estimated annual fuel savings over the non-hybrid AWD CX-50 is $457 per year, or $38 in gas savings per month. The stylish, fun-to-drive Mazda CX-50 Hybrid has more engine power and better fuel efficiency than its non-hybrid counterpart. Its five-seat interior is made of premium materials and comfortably seats four adults. It has adequate cargo space with 31.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid gets 43 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 40 mpg combined. By comparison, the non-hybrid CR-V gets 30 mpg combined. The EPA-estimated annual fuel savings over the non-hybrid CR-V is $405 per year, or $34 in gas savings per month. The Honda CR-V Hybrid checks all the boxes for a compact SUV: it has a smooth ride, ample passenger space, and good cargo room. It also has more power and much better fuel efficiency than the non-hybrid CR-V. There is plenty of head and legroom in the front and rear seats, and there is ample cargo space with 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The 2025 Kia Niro PHEV's miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) is 108 MPGe combined. It has an all-electric range of 33 miles and a total range of 510 miles. The EPA-estimated annual fuel savings over the average 2024 vehicle is $919 per year, or $77 in gas savings per month. The first plug-in hybrid on our list, the Kia Niro PHEV, delivers big with huge fuel savings and a 33-mile all-electric range that will cover many an errand around town. The PHEV's powertrain is also quicker and more powerful than the hybrid Niro's. Seating is snug, but the Niro will comfortably fit four adults. The cargo space is smaller than the hybrid's, measuring only 19.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The 2025 AWD Subaru Forester Hybrid gets 35 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and 35 mpg combined. By comparison, the non-hybrid Forester gets 29 mpg combined. The EPA-estimated annual fuel savings over the non-hybrid Forester is $287 per year, or $24 in gas savings per month. While not as fuel efficient as the competition, the Subaru Forester Hybrid makes this list because its MSRP is below $35,000. It also offers better fuel efficiency and more power than its popular non-hybrid version. You also get that classic Subaru reliability in a vehicle that appeals to the adventurous outdoors crowd. The Forester offers plenty of passenger space, with room for five adults to relax and stretch out. Cargo space is 27.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The 2025 Ford Escape PHEV gets 101 MPGe combined. It has an all-electric range of 37 miles and a total range of 560 miles. EPA-estimated annual fuel savings over the non-hybrid Escape is $724 per year, or $60 in gas savings per month. The Ford Escape PHEV has a more robust powertrain than the Escape Hybrid due to a more powerful electric motor. It also has remarkably more fuel efficiency than its hybrid sibling. The passenger space is just as roomy as in the hybrid version. The cargo space in the PHEV is slightly less than the 33.5 cubic feet found in the hybrid. The 2025 Lexus UX 300h Hybrid gets 45 mpg in the city, 41 mpg on the highway, and 43 mpg combined. There is no non-hybrid version of the UX. The EPA-estimated annual fuel savings compared to the average 2024 vehicle is $605 per year, or $51 in gas savings per month. If you're looking for luxury and fuel efficiency in a small SUV, then you will find it in the Lexus UX. With more power and better acceleration than previous years' models, the UX delivers on city streets and the highway. The compact SUV is snug when it comes to passenger room, and its cargo space is only 17.1 cubic feet, but its small size makes it a great urban SUV. The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid gets 36 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway, and 36 mpg combined. By comparison, the non-hybrid Santa Fe gets 24 mpg combined. The EPA-estimated annual fuel savings over the non-hybrid Santa Fe is $675 per year, or $56 in gas savings per month. The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid offers excellent fuel economy for an SUV that seats up to seven, making it an ideal choice for families. It's a great daily driver to run errands around town or take the family on a road trip. The Santa Fe's modern interior has spacious seating in the first and second rows. The third row seating is a bit snug, but it will accommodate kids and teens quite well. The storage capacity behind the third row is 14.6 cubic feet and expands to 40.5 cubic feet with the third row seats folded. The 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid gets 36 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 36 mpg combined. By comparison, the non-hybrid Sorento gets 26 mpg combined. The EPA-estimated annual fuel savings over the non-hybrid Sorento is $519 per year, or $43 in gas savings per month. The Kia Sorento Hybrid is a family-friendly, three-row SUV that will save you money at the pump. The hybrid version has better acceleration than the non-hybrid due to its electric motor. The cabin seats six, with comfortable captain's chairs in the second row and two seats in the third row. The third-row seating is snug and best for kids and small adults. And while cargo space behind the third-row seats is limited to 12.6 cubic feet, that expands to a maximum of 45 cubic feet of space with the third-row seats folded. The 2025 AWD Hyundai Tucson PHEV gets 77 MPGe combined. It has an all-electric range of 32 miles and a total range of 420 miles. EPA-estimated annual fuel savings over the non-hybrid Tucson is $740 per year, or $62 in gas savings per month. The five-seat AWD Tucson PHEV joins the Tucson Hybrid on this list, with both being quicker and more fuel-efficient than the standard Tucson. The added benefit of the PHEV is its 32-mile all-electric range, which saves even more on fuel. Passenger space is uncompromised in the PHEV, with plenty of room for adults in the rear seats. The cargo capacity in the PHEV is slightly less than in the hybrid, coming in at 31.9 cubic feet behind the second row seats. The 2025 AWD Kia Sportage PHEV gets 84 MPGe combined. It has an all-electric range of 34 miles and a total range of 430 miles. EPA-estimated annual fuel savings over the non-hybrid AWD Sportage is $850 per year, or $71 in gas savings per month. The AWD Kia Sportage PHEV is the most fuel-efficient and most powerful of the Sportage models. It offers a smooth drive with good acceleration, and its spacious cabin seats five adults comfortably. Its cargo space behind the rear seats is slightly less than the hybrid version, at 34.5 cubic feet. The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV gets 64 MPGe combined. It has an all-electric range of 38 miles and a total range of 420 miles. EPA-estimated annual fuel savings over the non-hybrid Outlander is $400 per year, or $33 in gas savings per month. With an upgraded modern interior and room for seven, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a good choice for families. Its all-electric range of 38 miles will cover a lot of family errands around town without using an ounce of gas. The Outlander also scores well in the passenger space department, with ample legroom for adults in the first two rows and adequate legroom for kids in the third row. Cargo room behind the third row is scant but expands to 30.8 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded. The 2025 AWD Dodge Hornet PHEV gets 77 MPGe combined. It has an all-electric range of 33 miles and a total range of 360 miles. EPA-estimated annual fuel savings over the non-hybrid AWD Hornet is $750 per year, or $63 in gas savings per month. The Dodge Hornet PHEV may have a higher price tag than the standard non-hybrid Hornet, but it makes up for that in its 33-mile all-electric range, substantial fuel savings, and gripping performance. It offers an engaging drive with confident handling on city streets and the highway. The 5-seat cabin offers ample room in the front row, with adequate room for two adults in the second row. The cargo capacity behind the rear seats is a mediocre 22.9 cubic feet. The 2025 AWD Toyota Crown Signia Hybrid gets 39 mpg in the city, 37 mpg on the highway, and 38 mpg combined. There is no non-hybrid Crown Signia to compare. The EPA-estimated annual fuel savings over the average 2024 vehicle is $457 per year, or $38 in gas savings per month. The Toyota Crown Signia may cost a bit more than other hybrids, but it offers an upscale interior, a comfortable ride, all-wheel drive, and good fuel efficiency. The 5-seat midsize SUV has ample passenger space and can comfortably fit 5 adults in its two rows. Its cargo space measures 25.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and expands to 68.8 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded flat. The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid gets 37 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and 36 mpg combined. By comparison, the non-hybrid Grand Highlander gets 24 mpg combined. The EPA-estimated annual fuel savings over the non-hybrid Grand Highlander is $675 per year, or $56 in gas savings per month. The Toyota Grand Highlander is the only SUV on this list that seats up to 8 passengers. The family-friendly SUV offers a smooth ride and plenty of passenger space, including room for adults in the third row. It also has excellent fuel efficiency for its segment, making it great for around-town errands. Cargo capacity behind the third row is 20.6 cubic feet, which expands to 57.9 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded. The 2025 AWD Toyota RAV4 PHEV gets 94 MPGe combined. It has an all-electric range of 42 miles and a total range of 600 miles. EPA-estimated annual fuel savings over the non-hybrid AWD RAV4 is $674 per year, or $56 in gas savings per month. While it is the most expensive SUV on our list, the 2025 AWD Toyota RAV4 PHEV offers excellent fuel efficiency and the highest all-electric range on this list at 42 miles. The RAV4 PHEV also has the most power of all the RAV4 configurations, adding a bit more pep to its drive. Like in the RAV4 Hybrid (also on this list), there is ample passenger room for 5 adults across both rows. The PHEV's cargo space behind the rear seats is slightly less than the RAV4 Hybrid's, but is still a good 33.5 cubic feet. All of the hybrid and plug-in hybrid SUVs on this list carry good value due to their price, gas savings, and utility. Ten of the 21 vehicles on this list have an MSRP of less than $35,000, and all feature good to great gas savings over their non-hybrid counterparts. If you are looking for a fuel-efficient SUV at a good price, then start with this list and use the mileage and fuel savings numbers to pencil out whether buying the Hybrid or PHEV version of the vehicle is the right choice for you.
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Sheriff makes decision on Paisley paramedic who crashed into taxi
Amanda Keenan, 35, was behind the wheel of the vehicle in Glasgow's Calton on September 24 2023. Keenan and a crew were transporting a 71-year-old woman to Glasgow Royal Infirmary after her heart had stopped while at home. Keenan, of Paisley, Renfrewshire, failed to give way or slow down an appropriate amount at a red light. She continued to drive while the taxi - an orange Kia Niro - moved off a green light across from her. This resulted in the two vehicles colliding in the middle of the junction. Keenan pleaded guilty last week at Glasgow Sheriff Court to driving without due care or attention. Sheriff Tony Kelly deferred conviction until this week to determine whether to grant an absolute discharge. This means that the first offender's criminal record would remain clean. The sheriff watched CCTV of the incident and heard submissions on similar cases from Keenan's lawyer Jacqueline White. The lawyer further stated: "Miss Keenan advises that she reduced her speed at the junction. "When she got to the red light, you have to reduce your speed or give way. "She was attempting to get a patient to hospital while colleagues were attending to the patient." Sheriff Kelly granted the absolute discharge and he said: "In all the circumstances of what happened and what was known to you it is inexpedient to inflict punishment. "I will not proceed to conviction and that is the end of the matter." The court earlier heard that the medics attended the woman's home as she had difficulties breathing. A decision was made to transfer her to hospital as the woman had went into cardiac with Keenan being the driver. Prosecutor Kirsty McKenzie said: "CPR was being carried out in the back of the ambulance." The blue lights and sirens were activated on the vehicle which drove up to London Road at its junction with Arcadia Street. Miss McKenzie said: "On approach to a red traffic signal, Keenan failed to slow down. "She proceeded the red light without checking for emerging traffic from the driver's side. "A taxi driver emerged from Arcadia Street and when his lights went green he emerged and collided with the driver's side of the ambulance." The hearing was told that the ambulance was unable to be moved after the collision. The fiscal depute stated that there was evidence of brakes being applied by Keenan at the time but she did not "give way." Neither Keenan or the taxi driver needed hospital treatment. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. It was revealed that Keenan paid a speeding fine months before the incident which was unrelated to her employment.
Western Telegraph
5 days ago
- Western Telegraph
Careless driver admits injuring man in A477 Red Roses crash
Dean John, 58, of Rhyd Y Gors in St Clears, was charged with causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving. It was alleged that John was driving a Kia Niro on the A477 at Red Roses without due care and attention on August 25 last year, which led to another man being seriously injured. For the latest crime and court news for west Wales, you can join our Facebook group here. John pleaded guilty at Swansea Crown Court on May 27. The case was adjourned, and the defendant will return to be sentenced on June 20.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
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@ 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
