For 2026, Toyota’s compact electric crossover receives a major mid-cycle refresh as the Toyota bZ (dropping the old “4X” suffix). Toyota’s press materials make clear that the 2026 bZ “makes advancements in range, output, charging performance, and vehicle design”. The headline change is a new 74.7-kWh lithium-ion battery (on higher trims), boosting the estimated driving range to about 314 miles.
Toyota also added a North American Charging System (NACS) port, so the bZ can use Tesla Superchargers nationwide. In sum, Toyota says the refreshed bZ delivers “a Toyota BEV in a small SUV package that is ready for the all-electric road ahead”.
Exterior and Interior Design
The 2026 bZ keeps the same overall dimensions as before but with subtle styling updates. Toyota describes the new front end as sleeker, with slim LED daytime-running lights that flow into a lower-profile bumper, and color-matched fender moldings for a cleaner look.
MotorTrend confirms the overall footprint is essentially unchanged (ground clearance is up by only about an inch), but notes the bZ’s wheelbase is even longer than the latest RAV4’s – yielding a “seriously spacious” interior.
Inside, the cabin gets a more modern and premium layout. Toyota optimized the center console and slimmed down the dashboard. A new 14.0-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen sits atop the center stack (with integrated climate controls), a design reportedly carried over from the new C-HR. Below the screen, two large wireless phone charging pads replace the old bZ4X’s cluttered control panel.
Soft-touch materials and available 64-color ambient lighting give the interior a high-end feel. Overall, reviewers say the updated console and screen (plus wireless charging) make the 2026 bZ’s interior feel notably more advanced and user-friendly than the outgoing model.
Powertrain and Range
Toyota has overhauled the bZ’s powertrain for improved performance. The larger 74.7-kWh battery (plus a new 57.7-kWh base battery option) provides the energy boost. Toyota projects that the bigger pack delivers up to 314 miles of EPA range, and even the new smaller 57.7-kWh battery gives the base model more range than the old bZ4X’s larger pack. Reviewers note the 2026 bZ now easily exceeds 300 miles of range in real-world use, whereas the old bZ4X only managed the low-200s.
The electric drivetrain itself is upgraded. Toyota’s updated eAxles use silicon-carbide power electronics, boosting output by 50%. All-wheel-drive models now make 338 horsepower (up from 214 hp). That enables a Toyota-claimed 0–60 mph time of about 4.9 seconds. Front-wheel-drive models also gain power (now about 221 hp instead of 201).
MotorTrend observed that the Limited AWD tester felt “noticeably more eager and refined” thanks to the new 74.7-kWh pack and upgraded motors. In short, the 2026 bZ is much quicker than its predecessor and finally competitive with similarly-sized EVs.
Features and Technology
The 2026 bZ comes packed with modern EV features and connectivity. Key highlights include:
- High-Speed Charging: A Tesla-compatible NACS charging port and Plug-and-Charge support (automatic billing) give access to thousands of chargers. Toyota says the bZ can fast-charge from 10%–80% in about 30 minutes under ideal conditions.
- Infotainment: A standard 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen is paired with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Dual Bluetooth phone connectivity and an available Wi-Fi hotspot (4G) keep drivers connected.
- Interior Tech: The revised center stack includes two Qi wireless charging pads for phones. The cabin’s atmosphere is boosted by customizable 64-color ambient lighting. A JBL premium audio system is optional for audiophiles (standard is a six-speaker setup).
- Safety Suite: Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is standard on all models, providing a full complement of driver aids (pre-collision braking with pedestrian/cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot and rear-cross-traffic monitoring, and more).
Other connected features include Toyota’s Remote Connect app (with digital key functionality, remote start/lock, etc.) and a 5-year trial of Safety Connect roadside assistance. Overall, the new bZ offers the same Toyota family tech (Touchscreen, Safety Sense, app connectivity) as its larger counterparts.
Release Date and Pricing
Toyota says the 2026 bZ will arrive in U.S. showrooms in late 2025. The official announcement notes it is “expected to start arriving at Toyota dealerships in the second half of 2025”. (MotorTrend’s specs list a Summer 2025 on-sale date, and reports suggest deliveries may begin in the fall.)
No official MSRP has been published yet; Toyota will announce pricing closer to launch. Industry analysts expect a base price somewhere in the mid-$30,000s.
For context, MotorTrend estimates the starting price at roughly $35,000–$45,000 depending on trim. This would place it competitively against other compact EV crossovers.
Rumors and What to Expect
The refreshed bZ4X (as the 2026 bZ) is just one part of Toyota’s growing electric lineup. Other bZ-branded models are already here or coming soon:
- Toyota bZ5 (China): A new fastback EV crossover launched in China (May 2025) at a very low entry price (about ¥130,000, ~US$18,000). It uses BYD Blade LFP batteries (either 65.3 or 73.98 kWh) and offers up to about 630 km (391 miles) CLTC range. The bZ5 features a “smart cockpit” interior with a large touchscreen and advanced driver aids.
- Toyota bZ3 (China): An electric compact sedan (Corolla-sized) developed by Toyota/BYD for China. It combines Toyota’s e-TNGA platform with BYD’s LFP battery tech to achieve over 600 km CLTC range. The bZ3 carries forward the same hammerhead shark-nose design theme and a family-inspired “Family Lounge” interior concept. It is not currently slated for the U.S.
- Toyota bZ5X: A forthcoming three-row electric SUV (previewed in mid-2025) that will be larger than the bZ4X. Toyota has stated it should reach dealers by late 2025 with about a 280-mile range. Rumors suggest the bZ5X could be Toyota’s first EV to use its next-gen solid-state battery cells. The bZ5X is expected to have a premium, tech-rich cabin (likely with a large panoramic screen and advanced driver assists) and dual-motor AWD capability.
- Toyota bZ Woodland: Toyota also announced an off-road–styled variant of the bZ4X, branded as the bZ Woodland, for North America. Essentially the bZ4X Touring wagon, it will debut in late 2025 and go on sale in early 2026. It uses the same 74.7-kWh pack (about 260-mile AWD range) and adds rugged styling and (likely) some off-road hardware.
Beyond the “bZ” names, Toyota’s EV roadmap is ambitious. The company plans roughly 30 new BEV models by 2030, covering SUVs, sedans, and trucks. Analysts expect that number to include more bZ-series variants (and perhaps other Toyota/Lexus EVs like a future C-HR EV or Lexus ES EV). In short, the 2026 bZ is just the start of Toyota’s next-wave EV lineup, with many more models on the horizon
