Toyota’s New bZ Electric SUV Finally Gets It Right
Remember the Toyota bZ4X? The electric SUV that felt like it was designed by committee and delivered with hesitation? Well, Toyota clearly listened to the criticism because they’ve completely reworked it for 2026. And they’ve done something almost unheard of in today’s automotive market: they made it better AND cheaper.
Meet the simply-named Toyota bZ. The “4X” is gone, and so are many of the compromises that made its predecessor so underwhelming.
Finally, A Competitive Price Tag
Here’s the headline that got my attention: the new base model bZ XLE starts at $36,350. That’s over $2,000 cheaper than the least expensive 2025 bZ4X was. In an era where every new car seems to cost thousands more than the last, this is a welcome surprise.
There is a trade-off: the entry model gets a smaller 57.7-kWh battery that delivers 236 miles of range (down from 252) and only 168 horsepower (down from 201). But for urban dwellers and those with regular access to charging, this might be the perfect budget-friendly EV option.
The Sweet Spot: XLE Plus Trim
If you’re like me and range anxiety is real, spend the extra $3,000 for the XLE Plus. This gets you the larger 74.7-kWh battery, 314 miles of range, and 221 horsepower. Suddenly, you’ve got an electric SUV that can genuinely handle road trips.
Even better, this upgraded model only costs $855 more than last year’s base bZ4X while offering significantly more range and power. That’s a tradeoff I’ll take any day.
They Fixed The Charging (Finally!)
The bZ4X’s charging performance, especially in cold weather, was… not great. Toyota has addressed this with several key improvements:
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Tesla NACS Port: All 2026 bZs come with the Tesla charging port, giving you access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network
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Faster AC Charging: The onboard charger now handles up to 11 kW (up from 7 kW) for quicker home and destination charging
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Battery Preconditioning: The car will now automatically heat or cool the battery when you navigate to a DC fast charger, ensuring optimal charging speeds regardless of weather
These changes address the single biggest frustration with the previous model and finally make the bZ a viable option for people without guaranteed home charging.
How Does It Stack Against The Competition?
I compared the specs and prices against two key rivals:
vs. Hyundai Ioniq 5: The base bZ undercuts the Ioniq 5 by nearly $8,000. Even the fully loaded bZ Limited AWD is over $13,000 cheaper than the equivalent Ioniq 5 Limited AWD. The Hyundai offers slightly more cargo space but not enough to justify that price difference for most buyers.
vs. Chevy Equinox EV: This is a closer fight. The base Equinox EV is actually $1,355 cheaper than the base bZ and offers slightly more range. However, the top-tier bZ Limited AWD undercuts the top Equinox EV by $2,340 while offering nearly identical practicality.
The Verdict: Is This The Toyota EV We’ve Been Waiting For?
The 2026 bZ feels like the electric Toyota that should have arrived first. It addresses the bZ4X’s biggest flaws while actually reducing the price. The combination of competitive range, Tesla charging compatibility, and Toyota’s reputation for reliability makes this arguably the most compelling electric SUV value on the market right now.
Is it perfect? The base model’s reduced range will be a dealbreaker for some. But for the first time, Toyota has an electric vehicle that doesn’t feel like a compliance car or an afterthought. They’ve built a genuinely competitive EV that deserves your consideration. Image Source- motortrend.com
The Good:
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Lower starting price than outgoing model
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Significant range improvements on higher trims
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Tesla NACS charging standard
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Battery preconditioning for faster charging
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Competitive pricing against rivals
The Not-So-Good:
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Base model has less range and power than before
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Real-world range still falls short of claims (like all EVs)
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Some competitors offer more cargo space
