Tested: 2026 Toyota bZ Is Quicker, Nicer, and Better at Being an EV
Key takeaways
- Improvements to Toyota's compact electric SUV bring it closer to the competition in terms of driving range, charging capabilities, and acceleration.
- View exterior photos Andi Hedrick|Car and Driver6/10/26 UPDATE: This review has been updated with instrumented test results for a front-wheel-drive XLE Plus model.
- At this point, year-by-year changes to electric vehicles are starting to follow a familiar template.
Why this matters: an automotive development that could shape industry direction or buying decisions.
Improvements to Toyota's compact electric SUV bring it closer to the competition in terms of driving range, charging capabilities, and acceleration.
View exterior photos Andi Hedrick|Car and Driver6/10/26 UPDATE: This review has been updated with instrumented test results for a front-wheel-drive XLE Plus model.
At this point, year-by-year changes to electric vehicles are starting to follow a familiar template. You squeeze a bit more power out of the electric motors, you juice up the battery pack, you improve the charging system, and boom—you've got a more appealing product. Toyota is following this script with the 2026 bZ, a compact electric SUV that replaces the previous bZ4X, becoming a far more competitive model within the segment.