OJAI, Calif.—The 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland builds on the bZ lineup, including an off-road aptitude to electrical driving. It’s normal with all-wheel drive, twin motors, and 281 miles of vary. In case you’re conversant in the unique bZ4X, it’s possible you’ll be wrinkling your nostril about now, however I believe this new EV from Toyota has quite a bit going for it.
2026 Toyota bZ Woodland
Perhaps you want a little bit context. When the bZ4X first entered the scene for the 2023 mannequin 12 months, it had a humorous title and low vary. Frankly, until you have been simply in search of a commuter automobile, it was onerous to take Toyota’s first mass-produced EV severely. In 2026, nevertheless, Toyota shortened the title to bZ, and it acquired a spread increase, which makes it a extra viable contender.
Including in some gentle off-road functionality, 6 inches of size, further cargo house, and loads of normal options, the brand new bZ Woodland is a contemporary tackle the “past zero” lineup. And my first impression is general favorable.
Tesla Charging
Together with most automakers within the U.S., Toyota made the change to the North American Charging Commonplace (NACS aka Tesla charging). Because of this the 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland can use the Tesla Supercharger community. Moreover, a CCS adapter is normal together with your buy, and this enables the bZ Woodland to make use of CCS chargers from distributors like Electrify America and ChargePoint as nicely. With a DC charging most enter of 150 kW, Toyota estimates that charging from 10 % to 80percent will take about half-hour.
Whereas the unique bZ4X solely had about 220 to 250 miles of vary, the bZ Woodland will get an estimated 281 miles of vary with the usual all-season tires. In case you go for all-terrain tires, vary drops right down to 260 miles. As a result of this was only a first-look take a look at, I can’t communicate definitively about whether or not these numbers are viable in the true world.
On the Street
After I slipped behind the wheel of the 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland, the very first thing I seen was how comfy the seats have been. They weren’t over bolstered and had a pleasant stability between firmness and cushion. I additionally had wonderful visibility out of the home windows, and as somebody on the brief aspect of the spectrum, my driving place was phenomenal. I’ll level out that taller drivers could have an issue seeing the gauge cluster due to the steering wheel, however I talked to a number of average-height drivers who all stated it was tremendous.
On highway, the bZ Woodland was loopy quiet—even with the all-terrain tires. I examined each units of tires, and didn’t hear a noticeable distinction between the 2. And loads of that’s most likely as a result of sound deadening supplies Toyota used.
And did I point out it was quick? With twin motors, the bZ Woodland has a complete system output of 375 horsepower, and it sends 198 pound-feet of torque to each entrance and rear wheels. This interprets to smile-worthy acceleration, irrespective of whether or not you’re popping out of a cease or attempting to cross on the freeway. It feels pretty nimble and simply typically comfy to drive.
Off-Street Critical?
Sure, however. We aren’t speaking loopy off-road functionality. The 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland has a floor clearance of 8.4 inches, and it has a typical off-road X-Mode with Grip Management to assist in slippery conditions. It’ll deal with mud pretty nicely—so long as the all-terrain tires don’t get caked—and you are able to do some small off-camber passes. The place the bZ Woodland will shine is in gentle off-road conditions like attending to that good campsite or trailhead.
We had the chance to take the bZ Woodland up a mountain on a muddy dust highway after the realm had acquired about 3 inches of rain. Issues had dried out a bit, and whereas issues have been nonetheless a bit slippy, the general management and grip have been strong. Plus, over the bumps and grooves, the experience was pretty easy.
Nothing’s Excellent
I’ll be trustworthy, there isn’t a lot I didn’t like concerning the 2027 Toyota bZ Woodland. Whereas the vary is lower than 300 miles, I do suppose 281 is a good exhibiting, and it’ll go well with most individuals’s life simply tremendous. I believed a number of the plasticky supplies on the console and door panels have been lower than superb, and at a value of about $48,000 for the car I used to be testing, I’d count on some type of flaps or prongs within the rear-seat cup holders to maintain a espresso in place.
The opposite huge factor I didn’t like will solely be an issue for shorter drivers, and that’s the awkward aspect opening for the arm relaxation cubby. As an alternative of a entrance latch or button, the bZ Woodland sports activities a pair of aspect buttons, and the one on the driving force’s aspect was obscured for me and onerous to entry. Sure, I might use the passenger-side button, however then I’d should lean over the console to entry what I would like contained in the arm relaxation.
Lastly, it is a heads up for tall drivers. Relying in your driving place, the steering wheel could bisect the gauge cluster, making it unseeable. Whereas I didn’t have an issue, and the variety of average-sized drivers I talked to didn’t have an issue, there was one 6-foot, 9-inch driver I talked to who stated it was an issue for him.
Costs and Trim Ranges
The 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland is nicely geared up and can solely are available in two trim ranges base and Premium. As an “off-road” mannequin, options like all-wheel drive, roof rails, and X-Mode are normal, and all-terrain tires can be found as a zero-cost possibility.
Base ($46,750): This mannequin comes normal with 18-inch wheels, twin wi-fi cellphone chargers, a 14-inch infotainment display screen, leatherette seats, heated entrance and rear seats, heated steering wheel, 4 USB-C ports, dual-zone local weather controls, the flexibility to make use of your cellphone as a key, 8-way energy adjustable entrance seats, a NACS to CCS adapter, and energy raise gate.
Premium ($48,850): This trim provides ventilated entrance seats, a rear digital camera mirror, driver’s seat reminiscence operate, a 9-speaker JBL audio system, and a panoramic fastened glass roof.
CG Says:
The 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland is a enjoyable and succesful EV with loads of vary for most individuals. It’s comfy, quiet, and fast. Plus, it has loads of normal facilities that assist stability out the worth tag. In case you have a look at the Restricted trim bZ, it prices the identical as the bottom bZ Woodland. In case you missed it, we loved our transient time with the 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland, and we will’t wait to spend extra time with it.
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