2026 Toyota bZ XLE Review: Features, Highlights
USA TODAY Cars’ Keith Laing examines the best features of the 2026 Toyota bZ XLE electric vehicle, focusing on its performance, interior technology and cargo space.
- The 2026 Toyota bZ is the automaker’s first fully electric vehicle and features 25% more battery life than its predecessor.
- Starting at less than $35,000, the bZ is an affordable option in the electric SUV market.
- This electric SUV offers a smooth ride, a spacious interior, and an EPA-estimated 314 miles of range per charge.
The Toyota bZ is the automaker’s first fully electric vehicle, and after undergoing a mid-cycle refresh in 2025, the 2026 model features 25% more battery range than previous versions.
I spent a week driving the 2026 Toyota bZ The 2025 Toyota bZ also earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick+ award, but the 2026 version underperformed in the organization’s most recent round of testing.
The XLE we tested is the base model of Toyota’s bZ and starts at just under $35,000. Pricing for the upgraded Limited trim starts at $43,300. I recently tested the Chevrolet Blazer EV, bZ’s main competitor in the electric SUV segment.
The 2026 Toyota bZ is notable for its standard features, affordability, and practicality. After a week of hands-on testing behind the wheel of Toyota’s first all-electric vehicle, here’s what we learned.
What makes the 2026 Toyota bZ stand out?
The 2026 Toyota bZ stands out from its segment rivals with its unique new exterior and interior design. It also has a strong value proposition (starting at just under $35,000 for the base model), which propels it to the top of the rankings, as the average price of a new electric vehicle is nearly $54,532, according to Cox Automotive.
During our week of testing, the Toyota bZ’s interior and cargo area felt very spacious for daily driving needs. We also enjoyed the bZ’s large screen for infotainment, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
How does the 2026 Toyota bZ drive?
Performance, usability and efficiency
The 2026 Toyota bZ offers a smooth, quiet and comfortable ride with excellent battery life. It handles well and accelerates quickly, making it fun to drive every day. Daily drivers often forget that they are driving an electric vehicle until it is time to charge the battery.
The Toyota bZ is nimble, and the Japanese automaker has decided to keep the vehicle’s dimensions the same during its 2025 facelift.
The 2026 Toyota bZ is powered by a lithium-ion battery and uses a single electric motor for front-wheel drive models and dual motors for all-wheel drive models. Toyota says total system output can reach up to 338 horsepower. This electric SUV is front-wheel drive and has an EPA-estimated driving range of approximately 314 miles per battery charge. Our base model road test vehicle only lost about 20% of its battery after a week of field driving.
Does the 2026 Toyota bZ fit your lifestyle?
Load capacity, space, practicality
2026 Toyota bZ is 184.6 inches long, 65 inches high, and 73.2 inches wide (without mirrors). The base model we tested had 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, which we found to be plenty for hauling luggage and groceries. Folding the rear seats significantly increases interior space to approximately 56 cubic feet.
Is the 2026 Toyota bZ worth it?
price, value, competition
Pricing for the 2026 Toyota bZ starts at $34,650 before taxes and surcharges, which seems like a modest price considering recent new car prices. Two trims are available, ranging from the base model XLE to the top-of-the-line Limited. Top-trim Limited vehicles start at $43,300 but come with all the bells and whistles, including all-wheel drive, a panoramic roof with a power sunshade, and a split-roof rear spoiler.
I really like the Toyota bZ XLE. If you want to save as much money as possible, this is the one to choose. For the most features, I’d choose the Limited trim ($43,300).
The Toyota bZ competes in the electric five-seat SUV segment with models from competitors such as the Tesla Model Y, Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Chevrolet Blazer EV. According to CarGurus, the bZ was the 6th cheapest electric car in the U.S. in 2025.
Who should buy the 2026 Toyota bZ?
If you want an affordable electric SUV that offers great value at a fair price, you should buy the 2026 Toyota bZ.
The base model trim we tested comes with a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, the Japanese manufacturer’s suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane tracing assist, and road sign assist.
