When it comes to hybrids, Toyota seems to be the leader, with the enormous success of the Prius, which then flowed into hybrid versions of other vehicles like the Camry, Corolla, Highlander and RAV4 - all of which have been great sellers. But when it comes to EVs, Toyota seems to be a bit more cautious. For a short time, a RAV4 EV was available in California, but that didn't amount to much. Finally in 2023, we saw the first mainstream EV from Toyota - the bZ4X. Today, the bZ4X continues, well sort of.
For 2026, the bZ4X is now known simply as the bZ. Along with the name change comes many improvements that make the bZ a much better overall EV.
The bZ (which stands for "beyond Zero") is a midsize SUV that's about the size of a RAV4 and is closely related to the Subaru Solterra. The same platform used for the bZ is also used by Lexus for their RZ450e all-electric SUV.
Looking at the bZ, it's hard to see any differences from the previous bZ4X. So how do you spot a bZ? The easiest way to tell is by the wheel arches - they are now painted the same color as the body, giving it a more seamless, uniform appearance. Harder to spot are some of the sharp angles around the vehicle that have been softened and the front end that has been lightly reworked. For the most part, though, it's very hard to tell the difference between the two.
Power differences, however, are more notable, both in a good and bad way. First the bad - the base bZ, the XLE, which uses a single motor powering the front wheels, has a power output of 168 horsepower. That's a 33 hp drop from last year's base bZ4X LE, which made 201 hp. But after that, things look much better. The bZ XLE Plus makes 221 hp in standard front-wheel drive form. Add in all-wheel drive, and that increases to a whopping 338 hp. Both of those out power the most powerful bZ4X, which made 214 hp.
And along with a bump in power is an increase in driving range. The XLE, with its 57.7-kilowatt-hour battery pack, has a range of 236 miles while the XLE Plus (same features as the XLE but with a larger, 74.7 kWh battery pack) is rated at 314 miles with FWD and 288 miles with AWD. Larger wheels decrease the range of the Limited to 299 miles with FWD and 278 miles with AWD. Depending on trim level, the bZ4X had a range of 222 and 252 miles.
Along with the increased power and longer range, the bZ gains a NACS (North American Charging Standard) port. This makes it easier to use Tesla's charging network. This is very helpful, especially when travelling, as Tesla charging stations seem to be popping up everywhere.
The tester is an XLE FWD Plus, so it has a 221 hp motor and a range of 314 miles. It carries with it an MSRP of $40,468.
From the driver's seat, the bZ feels much like a Toyota Prius, which comes as no surprise since both use the same multifunction steering wheel and small main instrument display. The interior is spacious, and a nice size (12.3 inches) touchscreen dominates the dash. The wide center console between the two front seats features standard wireless smartphone charging and open storage underneath. Oddly enough, though, there is no glovebox. There's also no frunk (front trunk), so like your typical small crossover, all cargo is kept in the rear. The bZ can hold up to 28 cubic feet of cargo.
Like most other Toyota models, the bZ comes standard with a suite of driver-assistance features including pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, lane departure mitigation, blind-spot monitoring and automated emergency braking.
On the road, the bZ feels much like a regular SUV, such as a Toyota RAV4, just quicker. For day-to-day transportation, the bZ is ideal, with its easy-driving nature and comfortable ride.
Pricing for the bZ starts at around $36,350 for the base XLE and can go up to $45,000 for the top-of-the-line Limited. With it comes a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty as well as a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty and eight years of coverage for the battery. A few added extras Toyota throws in are three years of roadside assistance and two years of free scheduled maintenance.
As you can see, there is much more to the bZ than its new, (easier) name. It's more powerful, has a longer range, and receives a minor exterior makeover. For those EV shoppers that skipped over the bZ4X, the bZ is now definitely worth looking at. And for those that liked the bZ4X - well you will be liking the bZ even more.