Final month we noticed the 2026 Subaru Solterra get unveiled with much-improved powertrains, styling and know-how, and now Toyota is following swimsuit with its model. We noticed the Euro-spec bZ4X facelift again in March, and the entire U.S. mannequin’s updates align, however there may be one huge bit of stories — Toyota is simplifying the EV’s title within the U.S., now simply calling it the bZ for 2026. It’s kind of of a wierd transfer, as bZ is already a sub-brand in different markets with fashions like bZ3, bZ3X and bZ7 on sale with a shared design language. Does that imply the U.S. will get no different electrical bZ fashions or will they only have totally different names? I suppose we’ll have to attend and see.
Title apart, the 2026 bZ does appear like a giant enchancment over the outgoing bZ4X. Its styling is nicer, its vary is longer, it has much more energy, its tech higher, and it has the NACS charging port now. It nonetheless won’t be essentially the most aggressive car in its class, however the brand new bZ will no less than be much more interesting to much more consumers.
Refreshed cabin
As with the Solterra, some trims of the bZ may have body-color exterior panels as an alternative of the big black plastic fenders of the previous bZ4X, which makes the automotive look much more upscale. Its slim C-shaped lights and totally different entrance bumper higher align with different new Toyotas just like the Crown Signia, and there are small tweaks to the rear finish.
The bZ additionally shares its redesigned inside with the Solterra. It has a extra horizontal design and a redesigned heart console that look so much nicer, and supplies have been improved. The central touchscreen is now 14 inches as customary and is operating an up to date infotainment system, with a quantity knob and mixture of bodily and digital controls for local weather features. The bZ4X’s unusually formed steering wheel and gauge cluster positioned far again on the sprint stay, however the cluster not has a encompass. The bZ additionally will get a pair of wi-fi chargers, 4 USB-C ports, and 64-color ambient lighting.
Tons extra vary
The entry-level bZ XLE trim, which has a single motor on the entrance axle, shall be obtainable with a brand new 57.7-kWh battery pack that provides a Toyota-estimated vary of 236 miles. Each different trim has a 74.7-kWh pack, barely bigger than what you may get on the previous bZ4X (71.4 kWh for front-wheel drive and 72.8 kWh for all-wheel drive). The Restricted AWD and XLE AWD fashions will do 278 and 288 miles, respectively, up from 222 and 228 miles final yr. Entrance-wheel-drive automobiles have even higher vary figures, with the highest mannequin lastly passing 300 miles of vary. The Restricted FWD will go 299 miles whereas the XLE FWD Plus trim will go 314 miles, based on Toyota (versus 236 or 252 miles for FWD bZ4Xs final yr).
Toyota added a brand new battery pre-conditioning system that can get it to optimum DC quick charging temperatures shortly, and it may possibly both be activated manually or robotically. Different new thermal administration tools features a water-to-water exchanger, a heating adjustment valve and a warmth pump. The bZ now makes use of the Tesla-style NACS cost port, with an 11-kW on-board AC charger as an alternative of the previous 7-kW unit. Toyota is not but saying what the bZ’s cost speeds shall be, but it surely’ll in all probability match the 150-kW max of the Solterra. The corporate does say it’s going to be capable to go from 10% to 80% in half-hour, and it will have Plug & Cost functionality.
Extra energy, too
The outgoing bZ4X made simply 201 horsepower in front-wheel-drive guise and 214 hp with all-wheel drive, however each new bZ has extra energy than both. The FWD mannequin now has 221 hp, however AWD automobiles get 338 hp, the identical as the brand new Solterra XT. Toyota says it’s going to be capable to do 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Additionally new for the 2026 bZ are paddle shifters on the steering wheel that modify the regenerative braking drive, and AWD fashions will get an X-Mode that optimizes the powertrain for off-road situations.
Each 2026 bZ may have 18-inch wheels, a heated steering wheel, heated energy entrance seats, LED projector headlights, an influence tailgate, and Toyota’s Security Sense 3.0 suite of driver-assist options. The Restricted provides 20-inch wheels, ventilated entrance seats, and different security options like lane-change help. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is customary, too. Pricing hasn’t been introduced, however the 2026 bZ will attain Toyota sellers within the second half of this yr.
