Check out this rare 1991 Toyota Sera from Japan
The Sarasota, Fla., driver was in a 1991 Toyota Sera with butterfly doors. He says only 16,000, including his, were built in Japan.
Fox – 13 News
Strong Points
- Beautiful and comfortable cloth seat
- Sporty ride and quick steering
- Range increased by 25%. NACS is standard equipment
Cons
- Terrible ergonomics due to digital cluster arrangement
- One-pedal driving prohibited
- no flank
Toyota bZ will be fully improved for 2026 It has a new, simpler name, new base model, more power, longer range, and faster charging. Many of the shortcomings of the previous model have been addressed, creating a more competitive compact all-electric SUV.
First off, the bZ (formerly bZ4X) is fun to drive. AWD model achieves significant horsepower improvement (from 214 hp up to 338 hp), it offers snappy acceleration and good high-speed stability despite a top speed of just 163 mph. Excellent chassis control and body composure in corners provide great entertainment on winding tracks. Steering is light and very quick, better than average for a compact SUV. Brake feel and throttle control are also solid. Still, there’s plenty of tire slam, wind noise, and gut shake over rough roads.
The interior features cool black and white woven heated cloth seats with smart shapes for maximum comfort. Unfortunately, the rest of the cabin is devastated by miles of black plastic.
I like the center stack on the new dual wireless charger, but I wish it had more storage space, as well as being able to put larger items without having to reach under the console. And the gearshift takes up a lot of space that could be put to better use.
Deputy editor Billy Rehbock said there were too many buttons on the steering wheel and the adaptive cruise button was confusing. He was particularly annoyed by the two buttons that appear to be for lane keeping, one to enable cruise control and one to set cruise control. A third button controls cruise control, and yet another button controls the vehicle’s following distance. Judges also complained that too much information was crammed into a small chunk of gauge, making it difficult to read.
But the judges’ biggest complaint was the placement of the driver’s digital display, which sits at the base of the windshield, forcing an awkward driving position. Poor ergonomics mean you have to sit high and the steering wheel is almost in your lap to see the gauges clearly. Then I glance at the infotainment screen propped up against the dashboard, and the system immediately alerts me to return my eyes to the road. We appreciate that the new 14.0-inch infotainment screen has dedicated climate controls on the bottom and a nifty colored physical knob, all of which represent a clear improvement.
The rear seating area has plenty of space and also features seatback pockets, air vents, USB ports, and heated chairs. However, there’s no getting away from how bleak it all looks. The power tailgate gives way to a spacious trunk with no storage space, but a lower storage area perfect for bag hooks, a high-wattage 120V outlet, and charging cables.
of bZ starts at a lower price than previous models — Good value for a vehicle that improves significantly in key areas (power and range) and offers a peppy, sporty ride (for those who can find a good seating position to check the meter).
This review is conducted as part of the 2026 SUV of the Year (SUVOTY) test, in which each vehicle is evaluated based on six key criteria: efficiency, design, safety, engineering excellence, and performance of value and intended functionality. Eligible vehicles must be completely new or significantly modified.
Photo credit: Lenz Daun
