Toyota’s electric crossover is leveling up for 2026. The model that was the bZ4X is now just the 2026 Toyota bZ. It comes with more power, more range, and new tech inside. Pair that with some styling changes and convenient features that are must-haves on EVs, and the new bZ should find a lot more buyers and happy owners.
Ho-Hum bZ4X Becomes 2026 Toyota bZ
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X was the brand’s first mainstream electric vehicle in North America, but it didn’t exactly impress with its specs. A maximum of 214 horsepower for the AWD version, and 252 miles of range if you picked the front-drive model, while missing some crucial EV features.
For 2026, Toyota has gone through almost the entire system. The new 74.7kWh battery holds only slightly more than last year’s 72.8 kWh pack, but the new efficiencies boost AWD range from 228 miles to 288.
The front-driver offered 71.4 kWh last year for 242 miles of range, but this year delivers 314 miles from the new pack. The range improvements are so substantial that Toyota now offers a smaller 57.7kWh pack for XLE front-drive that manages 236 miles, almost as many as last year’s big battery.
Faster Charging Plus More Horsepower
Along with the new pack, the bZ finally has battery pre-conditioning. This lets it get to the perfect temperature for the fastest charging before you get to a Level 3 charge station. It can seriously speed up charging in cold weather.
The electric motors have been upgraded with new silicon carbide semiconductors. They allow for higher output, meaning AWD models now make 338 horsepower. Front-drivers now deliver 221 horsepower.
A heat pump is new this year. It warms and cools the EV while using less electricity than a conventional EV heater or AC unit, giving it a lower impact on range. The 2026 bZ will also have a NACS charge plug, meaning it can use the Tesla Supercharger network.
Toyota has added a new 14-inch touchscreen as standard. It comes with a slimmer dash design, twin wireless phone chargers, and more extensive ambient lighting. Heated front seats and steering wheel are also standard. Toyota even now offers heated dash sections that radiate heat into the driver and passenger footwells.
2026 Toyota bZ Gets New Styling
The exterior design changes clean up the look of the bZ, making it more in tune with the brand’s other crossovers like the Crown Signia. The body-color fenders are optional, replacing the cladding, but only on black, gray, or white-painted models.
AWD models keep the Subaru-designed X-Mode AWD control system. It offers multiple terrain modes, including the new this year Grip-Control model that Toyota says “achieves capable off-road performance.” The 2026 Toyota bZ will arrive at dealers in the fall. Toyota hasn’t announced pricing, but expect it to be higher than the $37,070 starting price of the 2025 bX4X model it replaces.
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