Why the 2026 Toyota bZ Could Be the Best Affordable EV Yet

Toyota is bringing some serious upgrades to its electric game with the all-new 2026 Toyota bZ. Gone is the slightly awkward bZ4X name, and in its place is a sharper, better-performing, and more practical small electric crossover. From styling tweaks to big jumps in range and power, the new bZ is Toyota’s way of saying, “We heard you.”

Let’s start with the headline numbers. The new bZ delivers up to 314 miles of range when equipped with the XLE FWD Plus trim. That is a 25 percent boost over the outgoing model’s 252-mile maximum. Even the base XLE front-wheel-drive version gets a lift to 236 miles, while the Limited FWD trim stretches that to 299 miles. For those who need all-wheel drive, the XLE AWD offers 288 miles, and the Limited AWD version delivers 278 miles. Every version comes equipped with the North American Charging Standard plug, meaning compatibility with Tesla Superchargers and charging speeds up to 150 kilowatts.

Battery options vary by trim. The base XLE FWD uses a 57.7-kilowatt-hour battery, while the remaining models benefit from a larger 74.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. This replaces last year’s smaller packs and helps unlock more power too. The front-wheel-drive models now produce 228 horsepower, up from 201. All-wheel-drive trims make a healthy 338 horsepower, slashing the 0 to 60 miles per hour time to just 4.9 seconds. For comparison, the smaller battery base model makes only 168 horsepower and takes 8.0 seconds to hit highway speeds.

Beyond numbers, Toyota has taken time to address styling and comfort. The rugged black wheel cladding has been swapped for body-colored trim, though the plastic look is still available for those who prefer it. The front end is smoother, more refined, and borrows a bit of personality from Toyota’s Camry and Prius models. The base XLE rides on 18-inch wheels, while Limited models get 20-inch wheels. There are eight total exterior colors, including six premium paint options.

Inside, the bZ has a redesigned center console that now includes Qi wireless charging. A massive 14-inch touchscreen is now standard, and the dashboard layout feels cleaner and more upscale. A six-speaker audio system is included, but a nine-speaker JBL premium sound system is available as an upgrade. Safety remains a high priority, with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 now standard. That includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and other advanced driver aids.

Materials and space have also seen improvements. Cloth seats are standard, but Toyota offers its SofTex synthetic leather in either gray or black. The steering wheel is also wrapped in SofTex. Front passengers get 42.1 inches of legroom, while rear-seat passengers enjoy 35.3 inches. Cargo space comes in at 27.2 cubic feet, slightly more than the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Pricing has not been announced yet, but considering the 2025 bZ4X started at $38,465, expect the new model to start just under the $40,000 mark.