2026 Toyota bZ First Drive: The EV for People Who’ve Been Waiting for Toyota to Act Like Toyota
By Nik Miles | TestMiles.com
Let’s play a game. Ask the average American who’s leading the electric vehicle charge, and odds are they’ll mutter “Toyota” between bites of breakfast burrito. And you know what? That’s adorable.
Because until now, Toyota’s electric efforts have been more myth than momentum. Their first real crack at an EV—the memorably forgettable bZ4X—had the range of a short nap and charged with the urgency of a sleepy sloth. It also had a name that sounded like a password your IT department generated to punish you.
But plot twist: Toyota’s back with a sequel. It’s just “bZ” now—like when a pop star drops their last name to signal reinvention. And this bZ, dear reader, might actually be good.
So, What’s Changed?
Oh, just everything that mattered.
The range? Now over 300 miles if you spec it right. Charging? It finally talks to Tesla Superchargers, meaning you can actually drive cross-country without spreadsheet planning. Speed? The all-wheel-drive version does 0–60 in under five seconds. That’s quicker than your mate’s “sports” car and most espresso machines.
And the name? Just two letters. Because, much like Prince, Toyota is done explaining itself.
Specs, If You’re Into That Sort of Thing
- Battery Options: 57.7 kWh or 74.7 kWh
- Range: 236–314 miles (estimated)
- Drive: FWD or AWD
- Power: 221 hp (FWD), 338 hp (AWD)
- 0–60 mph: 4.9 sec (AWD), 8.0 sec (FWD)
- Charging: 10–80% in 30 mins at 150 kW
- Charger Plug: NACS (aka Tesla plug)
- Interior Mood Lighting: Yes, 64 colors—because you deserve options
Is It Actually Any Fun?
If you’re looking for tail-out cornering and tire smoke, kindly redirect your gaze to something German and twitchy. But for everyone else? This thing scoots. The AWD trim gives you enough shove to feel cheeky at red lights, and if you really put your foot down, you’ll find yourself breaking speed limits in states you haven’t even entered yet.
The FWD version? Perfectly civil, thank you very much. Gets the job done. No drama. Just enough power to make merging onto the freeway feel less like a trust exercise.
Ride, Handling & Other Vibes
Comfortable. Confident. Slightly overcooked pudding.
Toyota’s still fine-tuning things, but the pre-production bZ we drove had a cushy, floaty ride in the FWD model. The AWD was firmer, more composed, and generally more interested in being a car rather than a marshmallow.
Steering? Light and a bit vague—like a politician with an election coming up. But it’s easy enough for city driving, which is probably where most bZs will spend their lives.
Interior: What’s It Like in There?
Imagine the bZ4X got a spa weekend and came back looking refreshed, rested, and slightly more premium. That’s the new bZ.
There’s a 14-inch screen that looks great, feels responsive, and still doesn’t entirely match the snappiness of, say, a smartphone from 2019. But it works. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are both wireless, though connecting your Pixel still feels like teaching an old dog new tech. Meanwhile, your iPhone friends are already streaming Taylor Swift.
Toyota’s included two wireless charging pads upfront. Brilliant, until you stomp the accelerator and your phone does its best impression of a frisbee.
There’s also voice control that actually listens, navigation that actually plots a route with charging stations, and a steering wheel that… still blocks the instrument display if you sit like a normal person. Toyota, darling, call me. We need to talk about sightlines.
Is This the EV to Save Toyota’s Reputation?
Let’s not get carried away. It won’t walk on water or bring peace to Congress. But it is a major improvement over its predecessor, and—crucially—it now feels like Toyota’s actually trying. The bZ isn’t perfect, but it’s practical, comfortable, fast enough, and finally competent on a charger.
It’s not a Model Y killer, but it does enough right to lure loyal Toyota buyers who’ve been waiting for something electric without needing a decoder ring to understand it.
Final Thoughts: Should You Wait or Pull the Trigger?
If you’re the sort of person who trusts Toyota the way Brits trust tea, the bZ might be your first EV. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel—it just finally remembered to put tires on it.
Pricing is still TBA, but if Toyota lands this in the mid-$40K range with federal credits still on the table, expect sales to surge. Especially as more bZ models, the Lexus EVs, and the upcoming three-row hauler trickle into the lineup.
Toyota’s been the sleeping giant in the EV space. With the 2026 bZ, it might just be rubbing its eyes and reaching for the coffee.
Like what you’ve read? Stay in the driver’s seat with more automotive wit, grit, and insider insight. Follow @NikJMiles and @TestMiles for stories that always go beyond the spec sheet.
