2025 / 2026 Toyota bZ4X / bZ
The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia replaced the Toyota Venza in the brand’s lineup. (Credit : Jack Kazmierski)
Based on the Crown sedan, the Crown Signia has more ground clearance and more cargo room. (Credit : Jack Kazmierski)
The passenger cabin is quiet and refined, with a whole host of creature comforts. (Credit : Jack Kazmierski)
The Crown Signia packed with must-have technologies, including a 12.3-inch multimedia screen. (Credit : Jack Kazmierski)
Say good-bye to the Toyota bZ4X and hello to the much-easier-to-remember Toyota bZ. Toyota has made a number of big changes to their only fully-electric vehicle (at time of writing) for the 2026 model year—the most obvious being the name change.
Like the 2025 bZ4X, the 2026 bZ will be available with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. However, power output for both powertrains has changed significantly: FWD models are now rated at 168 hp (vs. 201 hp for 2025 MY), while AWD models now get 338 hp (vs. 214 hp for 2025 MY).
Range has changed as well. According to NRCan, 2025 FWD bZ4X models have a range of 406 km, while AWD versions come with a range of either 367 of 357 km, depending on the trim. For 2026, FWD bZ models have a range of 380 km, while AWD models top out at either 468 or 436 km, depending on the trim.
Comfy ride
We had the opportunity to drive the 201-hp front-wheel-drive bZ4X earlier this year, and were delighted with the comfortable ride and the unusually generous rear-seat legroom. Taller passengers will not be able to complain about cramped quarters.
The passenger cabin is well-insulated from outside noise, thanks in part to a windshield and front side windows made with acoustic glass—standard equipment on all trims.
Peppy and fun-to-drive, the 2025 bZ4X has enough power and torque for day-to-day city driving, as well as for more aggressive maneuvers at highway speeds. The new 338-hp bZ should be even more capable and much quicker, resulting in a more dynamic and engaging driving experience for the new model year.
Well-equipped
For 2026, the bZ is available in three trims: XLE FWD, XLE AWD, and Limited AWD. All trims come nicely equipped with a long list of standard features and amenities.
Some of the more notable include two wireless phone chargers, a headlamp cleaning system, a 120V AC power outlet, three USB-C charging ports, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a 14-inch multimedia display, a NACS charging port (for DC fast charging at select Tesla Superchargers), two-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, two-way power adjustable driver lumbar support, a windshield wiper deicer and rain-sensing wipers.
Toyota has packed the bZ with a very long list of standard safety features and technologies. In addition to Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (includes automatic high beams, lane tracing assist, lane departure warning, dynamic cruise control, road sign assist, pre-collision system, and proactive driving assist), all trims get a full array of airbags, a blind spot monitoring system, rear seat reminder, front and rear parking assist with automatic braking, a safe exit alert, and much more. The top trim gets a few extra features, including a 360-degree camera, traffic jam assist, lane change assist, and front cross traffic alert.
While we’re on the topic of safety, the bZ4X/bZ has been recognized as a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and it gets a five/five star rating for crashworthiness from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
If you like the idea of the bZ, but are looking for something a bit bigger and more capable, stay tuned. Toyota has announced that they’re bringing the bZ Woodland to market in the new year. With standard AWD, more horsepower (375) and a range of 418 km, this midsize SUV is a bit longer, taller and has more ground clearance than the bZ. It also boasts 850 litres of cargo space, which betters the 784 offered by the bZ.
With a new name, new powertrain configurations, decent range, and a whole host of standard features and amenities, the 2026 bZ ticks many of the boxes fleets consider must-haves when looking for a capable ICE alternative.
Price and Specifications
Year Make Model Trim
2025 Toyota bZ4X LE
Base Price
$46,515
Notable Options
Optional Paint Colour: $255
Price as Tested (including taxes, freight, PDI)
$48,830
Powertrain
Single Electric Motor - Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
One-speed automatic
Horsepower
201 hp
Torque
196 lb-ft
Range (according to NRCan)
406 km
