I drove the 2026 Toyota bZ — and it's improved, but is it enough? In this full review and test drive, I break down everything new about Toyota's first fully electric SUV in North America, formerly known as the Toyota bZ4X. From the bigger battery and added power to the refreshed exterior and interior design, it's a better EV and Toyota has clearly listened to early criticism. But one major issue remains: winter range loss. When the bZ4X first debuted in 2024, it received lackluster reviews for limited range, confusing battery differences between single motor and dual motor configurations, and some polarizing design choices. For 2026, Toyota addressed many of those concerns with a larger battery pack, more horsepower, updated technology, and refined styling inside and out. On paper, the 2026 Toyota bZ is a far more competitive electric SUV than the original. However, in real-world winter driving conditions, the bZ still loses a significant amount of range — a problem that competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Volkswagen ID.4, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Chevy Equinox EV have made measurable progress on. If Toyota doesn't improve cold-weather battery efficiency, the bZ risks falling further behind in an increasingly crowded electric SUV market. In this video, I cover: ✅ What's new for the 2026 Toyota bZ (battery, power, design) ✅ Real-world range and winter driving performance ✅ How it compares to the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, VW ID.4, Ford Mustang Mach-E & Chevy Equinox EV ✅ Who this electric SUV is actually best for ✅ Whether Toyota fans should buy or wait If you're shopping for the best electric SUV in 2026, considering a Toyota electric car, or wondering whether the bZ is finally worth it, this review has everything you need to know. 📌 CHAPTERS 00:00 - Introduction 00:48 - Why the early update 01:05 - Power and Range Improvements 03:32 - Now Equipped with Tesla Charge Port 04:12 - Winter Range Test 06:34 - Best EVs for Winter Range Loss 07:20 - Exterior and Interior Review 10:00 - Final Verdict #ToyotabZ #ToyotabZ4X #ElectricSUV #EVReview #Toyota2026 #ToyotaEV #ElectricCar #bZ4XReview #HyundaiIoniq5 #KiaEV6 #ChevyEquinoxEV #FordMustangMachE #VWID4 #BestElectricSUV #WinterEVRange #CarReview #TestDrive #electricvehicles Get vidIQ to grow your channel faster! 🚀 https://vidiq.com/TheNovakReport
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Good review. Toyota seems to be improving the bZ, but EV buyers are tougher now. Better than before is not enough if charging, range, software, and price are not all competitive.
We get a battery pack that gives us 591km in Australia. We just ordered and getting it in August. Selling our Lexus Hybrid for it. The BZ is a brilliant car and EV for the money. Managed getting a few $$$ off and a level 2 wall charger for free with the purchase.
The BZ lost its triple beam headlights or maybe it was the previous Solterra For lower single beams. Is that a brightness range downgrade? Also, I would like a comparison between the Solterra and BZ as well as the BZ Woodland and the Trailseeker
I went to Brimell Toyota late last year. This senior ranking sales guy kept telling us all about the new and improved “BeeZee” and would not change his Spiel despite us gently inquiring on the specifics of the BeeZed. I suppose he thought he was more “local” than us, both him and us immigrants to Canada. Stay awesome! What other automotive reviewer has ever mentioned Aristotle 😁 At that time we passed on the BZ and decided to wait for the mysterious (at that time) and (still) elusive 2026 RAV4 PHEV. However, having seen a few reviews of the 2026 BZ, most notably the Car Care Nut’s and yours, we are warming up to the idea of going fully electric. As for other manufacturers doing better on the cold weather range loss, personally, we are willing to accept it in exchange of Toyota’s stellar history of long term reliability on all other components.
I think the front end is ugly and the choice of colors is dismal.
Solterra is same platform for much less
Anyone who claims that short range is not a severe EV impediment, does not regularly drive longer journeys in all weathers.
For those 2026 Toyota bZ owners, is the insurance premium cost reasonable for you? How much are you guys paying for the annual premium?
My mate has a Corolla estate company car but is being forced to switch to electric shortly. He's picked this model. Amazingly, in non-Touring guise it' s 5 inches longer than the Corolla estate which is a pretty big car itself with more room inside and a very capable hybrid. He's retiring soon and glad not to be having to use electric for long journeys. He will likely look to purchase the Corolla when the lease expires.
Anyone else having problems with the car play and phone disconnecting
It is very nice to have a review of an EV from the Canadian climate since the range loss in the cold was my biggest concern as well. I think you are correct that the range loss is not going to be a real issue in daily life. In most populated places where EV has some popularity there seems to be enough chargers to keep the long drive going. Thanks for the reveiw!
Biggest vehicle mistake ever. I chose the 2026 bZ Limited because and I was reasonably happy until I stopped by a new array of Tesla V4 Superchargers. It made sense to Toyota engineers to move the new NACS port to the front passenger side as a mirror image of Tesla's rear driver side. The result is that the V4 cable - HUNG ON THE LEFT - has to cross the front of the vehicle and it rubs the painted front fascia and BARELY reaches under the port door to enter the port at a tight angle. Had Toyota not outsmarted themselves, they'd have left the port on the left and created a straight line from the V4 to the port with plenty of slack. (V2 and V3 Superchargers won't reach, regardless, so moving that port was a BAD idea.) Now, when I travel - which is now very doubtful unless and until I trade this thing - I'll have to find drive-through spaces or find a good auto body shop to repaint the fascia when I get home.
I already have a 5-year old EV, so the EV end of things I am used to. NBD. As a taller person, I worry about being able to see the instrument cluster. I guess I would need to visit a dealer and sit in the car just to get a feel for how big a deal it actually is.
I absolutely love my BZ compared to my wife’s Tesla
Needs HUD
Route planning not available?
Bought a 2026 Solterra -- $9k off MSRP with factory incentives until the end of April. Love it so far. We live where winters are mild (never drops below 40's (5 Celsius) during the day). Like the fact that the Solterra has AWD, Subaru eyesight. Insurance is half that of a Tesla.
It appears the Subaru version (Solterra) Premium is 2K less (already AWD) than if you got the Toyota XLE w/AWD. MSRP wise.
If I can't drive even at least 300 km in the worst cold....that's not acceptable. Add to that I need to do 300 km and it's all highway. Having to reroute and go well out of my way to try to find a charger in the worst weather is a nightmare. All I want to do is to be able to drive 300 km in the winter without having to recharge when I'm going back and forth to work. I am not asking for too much😮
Recite the alphabet, it’s “zee”. “Zed” is French.