2026 Toyota bZ vs 2025 bZ4X: What Actually Changed?

Cory Fourniquet
7 days ago
4 min read

2026 Toyota bZ XLE on the left, 2025 Toyota bZ4X XLE on the right.

Highs

✅ 314 Miles of Estimated Range – A legit 25% boost from the outgoing model. EV range anxiety? Solved.

✅ 338 Horsepower on AWD Models – That’s a 50% jump in power. This one finally moves like an EV should.

✅ Tesla-Compatible NACS Port – Pull straight into Superchargers without blocking two stalls or fighting with adapters.

✅ Lexus-Like Interior Upgrades – Higher-end materials, dual wireless chargers, and a massive 14" screen? Yes, please.

Lows

👎 Still No Glove Box – It’s a mid-cycle refresh, but we’d love a little more functional storage.

👎 Same Steering Wheel + Cluster Setup – Visibility remains awkward depending on your height

👎 No Ventilated Seats on XLE Trim – Once you’ve had ‘em, you don’t want to go back.

👎 EV Punch Still Lacking in Base Models – You’ll need AWD to really feel the 338-hp difference.

Toyota just dropped the "4X" and picked up its game. The 2026 Toyota bZ—formerly known as the bZ4X—isn’t just a name change, it’s a full-blown glow-up that finally makes this all-electric SUV worth a serious look.

Forget mild updates. Toyota went back to the lab and addressed nearly every complaint by boosting range, cranking up the power, ditching the piano black, and borrowing a few slick tricks from Lexus. I recently had the opportunity to take it for a spin at Toyota HQ, and here’s this was my take.

The Glow-Up Is Real

Let’s start with the face. Toyota dumped the clunky gloss black overfenders of the outgoing model and went with slick, body-colored fenders that give this SUV a more refined, cohesive look. The front-end redesign is clean, modern, and way more premium. This isn’t just a restyle; it’s a whole vibe shift.

Even the wheels and tires got a refresh. Wheel designs keep the bZ looking modern while tires change from Bridgestones to Toyo Open Country tires that feel better suited for a vehicle that finally wants to perform.

Tesla Plug, Meet Toyota Badge

If you’ve ever tried to charge a non-Tesla EV at a Tesla Supercharger, you know the struggle. Adaptors, apps, and short charge cables. The 2026 bZ solves that with a smart move: the new NACS port sits up front on the passenger fender, letting you pull in head-first at Superchargers without blocking two stalls. It’s the kind of detail that shows Toyota’s actually listening.

314 Miles of Freedom

The range bump isn’t just impressive, it’s essential. Going from 252 miles to 314 puts the bZ in real competition with Hyundai, Chevy, and even some Teslas. And with 338 horsepower on AWD models, this thing finally delivers the EV punch it was missing. The difference between the bZ and the bZ4X is night and day. I guarantee that if you drive the old and new back-to-back, you'll swear you're in two different SUVs.

Interior: From Subaru to Lexus

Inside, the bZ ditches the piano black fingerprint magnet panels and replaces them with a sleeker, more durable material. The dash layout is cleaner, and the center console got a total overhaul. Dual wireless charging pads. Hidden storage. Lexus-sourced infotainment. This isn’t just a minor interior refresh; it’s a redesign done right.

And let’s talk screens: The 14" touchscreen now handles everything from climate to safety settings, with a snappy interface borrowed straight from Lexus. The driving experience feels dialed in, focused, and light years ahead of the previous model.

On the Road: EV Punch Finally Arrives

Behind the wheel, the upgrades translate to a much more engaging drive. That 50% power boost changes the entire driving experience. In the 2026 bZ, stepping on the accelerator actually moves the needle. You get that EV torque surge that makes daily driving fun again. No more waiting for it to wake up; it just goes.

Final Verdict: From Meh to Must-Test

Toyota finally gave the bZ4X what it needed to compete. It went from a forgettable compliance car to a legitimate contender in the electric SUV space. If you were eyeing the old bZ4X but couldn’t commit, this new version makes the decision easy.

It’s not perfect, some quirks remain, but the improvements are real, and they matter. More range, more power, smarter design. Toyota took the feedback and made the right moves. Now it's your turn to get behind the wheel and feel the difference.