Toyota Motor Corp. is overhauling its sole U.S. electric vehicle with a new name, upgraded range, faster charging, and a significant performance boost, the company announced Tuesday. The 2026 model-year electric SUV, now simply called the "bZ," replaces the original "bZ4X," which faced sluggish sales and critical reviews after its 2022 debut.
The redesigned bZ will feature up to 314 miles of range-an increase of 25%-and up to 50% more horsepower in its all-wheel drive variant, totaling 338 horsepower. The front-wheel drive model also gains a performance bump, from 201 hp to 221 hp. Toyota said the bZ will begin arriving at U.S. dealerships in the second half of 2025.
The updates mark a clear shift in Toyota's EV strategy, as the Japanese automaker seeks to reposition the bZ against top competitors like Tesla's Model Y and General Motors' Chevrolet Equinox and Blazer EVs.
A major new feature for the bZ is the inclusion of Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS), which allows Toyota EV drivers to use thousands of Tesla Superchargers across the U.S. The vehicle also adds Plug and Charge functionality, enabling automatic billing at third-party stations without requiring apps or QR codes.
Toyota has not disclosed the pricing for the new bZ. The outgoing bZ4X was priced between $37,000 and $42,000. While the bZ maintains the same E-TNGA platform shared with the Lexus RZ 450e and Subaru Solterra, the 2026 model introduces significant changes to styling, powertrain, and user interface.
Charging speed has also been improved. Under optimal conditions, Toyota claims the bZ can charge from 10% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes. The SUV will be available in two front-wheel drive battery configurations: a 74.7 kWh version offering 314 miles of range, and a 57.7 kWh pack with 236 miles. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be supported wirelessly via a new 14-inch touchscreen.
Visually, the vehicle has been refreshed with body-colored wheel arches, replacing the black plastic trim from the earlier model. Inside, the new bZ features an updated center console and digital instrument panel.
Despite early setbacks-including a 2022 recall over faulty wheel fasteners-the bZ4X gained traction over the past year. Toyota sold 5,610 units in Q1 2025, a sharp increase from 1,897 in the same period of 2024. Total sales since launch stand at approximately 35,000.
The automaker is also expanding its EV production footprint, with a $1.3 billion investment into its Kentucky facility to manufacture electric models, including a planned three-row SUV.
