2026 Toyota bZ

Overview The name “bZ4X” doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, which is probably one of the reasons that Toyota has renamed its electric compact SUV to just “bZ” for 2026. The bZ’s updates go well beyond just its new name, with sizable improvements made to its electric powertrain, charging tech, and interior layout. The bZ is still offered with the choice of front- or all-wheel drive, and both receive a much-needed bump in power. The FWD model now has 221 horsepower, and the AWD model has 338 horsepower. Combined with higher range capabilities from all-wheel drive trims and tweaked styling both inside and out, the updated bZ appears to be a more appealing package in both name and capability. What’s New for 2026?Thanks to upgraded electric motors, all-wheel-drive variants get a bump to 338 horsepower, up from 215 ponies previously. According to Toyota, range is up by 25 percent compared to the 2025 model, to a claimed 314 miles. A NACS (North American Charging Standard) port replaces the old CCS port, so the bZ can now charge at Tesla Superchargers. The battery pack in the front-wheel-drive XLE model decreases in capacity from 63.4 kWh to 57.7 kWh, while all other models get a new, larger 74.7-kWh pack. Toyota says that the bZ can now charge from 10 to 80 percent in around 30 minutes on a DC fast charger, and the AC charge speed is faster thanks to a higher-capacity 11-kW on-board charger. A new preconditioning system makes sure the battery is at optimum charging temp before you plug in. Styling is updated too, featuring a tweaked front end and a new dashboard design.Pricing and Which One to BuyThe price of the 2026 Toyota bZ is expected to start around $42,000 and go up to $46,000 depending on the trim and options.XLE$42,000 (est)Limited$46,000 (est)Toyota hasn’t released pricing information for any of the bZ’s trims yet, but they will likely be more expensive than they were before. While we’ll have to wait to give a definitive recommendation based on value, the all-wheel-drive XLE will likely offer the best blend of features and driving range for its price. Standard features on the XLE include 18-inch alloy wheels, front and rear ambient lighting, an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 60/40 split folding seats, and heated front seats. Getting Started with EVsEV Motor, Power, and PerformanceThe bZ’s comprehensive update includes new electric motors, meaning that all versions of the bZ have a higher power output than they did previously. Front-wheel-drive XLE and Limited models now produce 221 horsepower from a single electric motor, while their all-wheel-drive counterparts now deliver 338 horsepower from two electric motors located at the front and rear. With this additional get-up-and-go, the bZ now has comparable power to rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Volkswagen ID.4. We’ll update this section with driving impressions once we’ve had the chance to get behind the wheel of the new model. 0–60-MPH TimesToyota claims that all-wheel-drive models can reach 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. We’ll update this section when we have a chance to test the bZ’s acceleration capabilities for ourselves. More on the bZ SUVRange, Charging, and Battery LifeA NACS (North American Charging Standard) port replaces CCS port found in the previous bZ4X, which enables the bZ to charge at Tesla Superchargers. The battery pack in the front-wheel drive XLE model decreases in capacity from 63.4-kWh to 57.7-kWh, which also drops its range to an estimated 236 miles, per Toyota. All other models get a new and larger 74.7-kWh pack, which Toyota estimates will afford 278 miles of range in the AWD Limited, 288 miles in the AWD XLE, 299 miles in the FWD Limited, and 314 miles in the FWD XLE. Toyota says that the bZ can charge from 10 to 80 percent in around 30 minutes on a DC fast charger, and AC charging speed is faster thanks to a higher-capacity 11-kW on-board AC charger.Interior, Comfort, and CargoThe bZ has a spacious, airy interior that incorporates a digital gauge display and a 14.0-inch central touchscreen. The 2026 model’s redesigned dashboard is less bulky and appears to improve upon some of the previous model’s odd sightlines and difficult-to-see gauge display. The wide center console between the front seats features two wireless smartphone charging pads and open storage underneath, although there’s no glovebox. The previous model offered an optional radiant heating element in the lower dash that warms front-seat riders’ legs, but we don’t yet have confirmation that this option is continuing for 2026. We don’t expect the 2026 model’s cargo capacities to change: the bZ has no frunk, and the rear cargo hold volume maxes out at 26 or 28 cubic feet, depending upon the model (versus 38 cubes for the RAV4).The Car and Driver DifferenceInfotainment and ConnectivityThe bZ’s infotainment needs are fulfilled by a 14.0-inch display that is operated by a combination of physical and touch controls. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, which plays audio through a six-speaker or optional nine-speaker audio system. Two wireless smartphone chargers sit below the central screen. How to Buy and Maintain a CarAs more information becomes available, we’ll update this story with more details about: