Toyota is making an attempt to better its standing in the battery-electric-vehicle segment in the U.S. with the 2026 bZ, an evolution of the vehicle previously known as the bZ4X and a key part of the automaker’s plan to grow its BEV portfolio as consumer demand increases.
The bZ not only makes the brand nomenclature simpler for buyers by eliminating the bZ4X moniker introduced with the vehicle in spring 2022 but also increases the slow-selling CUV’s appeal thanks to more power and greater range and an upgraded interior.
The upgraded bZ has up to 50% more power, with 338 hp for the combined system on all-wheel-drive trims, up from the 214 combined system net hp on the prior AWD trim. The 5-door CUV has a range of up to 314 miles (505 km) of estimated range (XLE, FWD Plus model), an increase of 25% over the outgoing model, which was rated at 252 miles (406 km). Front-wheel-drive models also boost their output, now delivering up to 221 hp (previously 201 hp).
The Toyota BEV is now equipped with a North American Charging System (NACS) port. Under ideal conditions when using DC fast charging it is capable of charging from 10% to80% battery capacity in around 30 minutes; it also adopts Plug & Charge capability, a protocol that allows automatic identification, authentication and authorization at selected charging networks, reducing the need for multiple mobile charging smartphone applications or fumbling with credit cards at the charger site.
The 2026 bZ battery options include a 57.7-kWh and 74.7-kWh unit, providing a variety ofranges: 314 miles for the XLE FWD Plus grade with a 74.7-kWh battery; 299 miles (481 km) for a Limited FWD grade with a74.7-kWh battery; 288 miles (463-km) for the XLE AWD grade with a 74.7-kWh battery; 278 miles (447 km) for a Limited AWD model with a 74.7-kWh battery; and 236 miles (380 km) for the XLE FWD trim with a 57.7-kWh battery.
A new battery pre-conditioning function on all models is designed to bring the battery to an optimal temperature for DC fast charging, which can enable faster charging in colder climates.
AWD bZ models will feature the X-MODE system. X-MODE allows the driver to select a mode according to the road conditions, automatically changing to optimize brake control, damping and power delivery at the wheels for greater control and traction. The system also has “GripControl,” which Toyota says leverages motor drive power modulation to achieve more capable off-road performance.
The bZ is built on Toyota’s BEV-dedicated e-TNGA platform, developed with Subaru and also used for the Toyota bZ3 (China only), the Subaru Solterra and Lexus RZ 450e. This architecture allows for a low center of gravity and rigid chassis due in part to the high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack placed flat under the floor.
Toyota notes that those vehicles employ a lightweight body structure with sections of high-tensile-steel-reinforced frame components around the battery pack, coupled with a dynamic suspension, to give the Toyota, Subaru and Lexus vehicles a more rigid driving feel.
The bZ has an 8.2-in. (208-mm) ground clearance, 184.6-in. (4,689-mm) overall length, 73.2-in. (1,859-mm) overall width, and 65-in. (1,651-mm) overall height (including antenna). The wheelbase is 112.2 ins. (2,851 mm).
Interior
On the inside, both the XLE and Limited grades have a slimmer dashboard design than the current model and come with front and rear ambient lighting that includes 64 available colors, as well as Dual Qi-compatible wireless smartphone chargers. Additional standard features for both grades include a heated SofTex-trimmed 3-spoke steering wheel with regenerative braking paddle switches, and a heads-up display.
All trims come standard with a 14-in. (36-cm) touchscreen that runs the Toyota Audio Multimedia system. All Toyota bZ models are equipped with a standard six-speaker audio system, and an optional JBL Premium Audio system with nine speakers, including an 8-channel 800-watt amplifier and 9-in. (23-cm) subwoofer.
The bZ has plenty of competition in the growing compact BEV CUV segment: Ford Mach-E, Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, VW ID.4 and Nissan Ariya. Increased ranges in the new bZ should help it up its sales game. The whole segment, though, seems to be a war of cheap lease deals these days.
Since its introduction three years ago, the bZ4X has been one of the lowest volume BEV CUVs in the U.S. market, tallying only 5,600 sales in the first quarter of 2025, well behind the segment-leading Tesla Model Y with its roughly 77,000 Q1 2025 sales, according to Wards Intelligence data. The Ford Mustang Mach-E was the second-best-selling BEV CUV in the U.S. in Q1, with roughly 11,600 deliveries.
The 2026 bZ goes on sale in late summer, with pricing set closer to the on-sale date. The 2025 bZ4X is priced between $37,070 and $43,195. The BEV is built at Georgetown, KY.
