You may think EVs are expensive with limited range. Understandable, but what if there was an electric crossover that cost little more than a comparable gas-powered model? And it comes from an automaker renowned for battery and motor technology? Check out the 2026 Toyota bZ.
As with the similar Subaru Solterra and Lexus RZ, the bZ did not get off to a good start. It had short driving range, long recharge times, and prices that had drivers looking at competitors instead. With updates for 2026, that changes.
Styling recalls Prius, RAV4 and Subaru. All fair because the front shares “hammerhead” styling with its siblings. I like the upper blade that splits lamps with vertical light clusters below. Moving to the side, its RAV4 vibe shines. It sits a little lower with a more aggressive stance, but the profile is pure Toyota. Around back, taillamps channel Subaru. It’s all handsome riding on 18” wheels with thick tires, but is maybe a little too familiar for some.
There’s a lot of Prius inside too with a wide 14-inch infotainment screen, flatscreen gauges forward on the dash and twin wireless phone chargers in the console. Our XLE came with cloth- and vegan leather seats, but were heated – as was the steering wheel. There’s no panoramic sunroof nor branded audio system, but phones connect wirelessly through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Copious storage under the console and within the console help mommies and daddies with babies.
Safety was paramount. Automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise with lane centering and blind spot warning with intervention are included – as are rear cross traffic alert and safe exit assist to keep adults and kiddies from stepping into traffic. I only wish it had hands-off cruising on the highway.
If you want to maximize range, choose your model carefully. All-wheel-drive versions boast 338 horsepower and 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds with around 280 miles range. Our XLE delivers 221 horsepower for 0-60 mph in 7.8 seconds. That’s quick enough, but nothing exciting. Range is a lengthy 314 miles.
All-wheel-drive is helpful if you live in snowy climates or you rally race on weekends (not recommended), but front-drive crossovers with traction control handle inclement weather adeptly. Recharge times have improved; fast charge to 80% in 30 minutes or fully recharge at home on 240v in 9.5 hours. Toyota also changed to a NACS port, making the bZ compatible with Tesla Superchargers.
I did it all this week – drove half-way from Indianapolis to Cincinnati and back, zipped to the airport and picked up my daughter at school. It feels heavy, smooth, and settles comfortably on the highway. The hands-free power hatch and split/fold rear seats swallowed a heap of boxes for work. It is truly the RAV4 of electric crossovers, ready for daily chores and family fun.
Best of all, it’s little more expensive than a comparably equipped RAV4 or Camry. Base models start at $34,900. Our comfortably equipped XLE came to $40,633. Even better, it drinks not a drop of $4.60/gallon gasoline. I think you’ll find it compares very favorably to the Chevrolet Equinox EV, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Nissan Leaf and similar Subaru Solterra.
2026 Lexus RZ 550e AWD
Imagine if Lexus borrowed the Toyota bZ and saturated it with luxury. Go ahead and add the sportiness of F Sport trim and confidence of all-wheel-drive too. Add about $20,000 for the upgrades. It’s called the RZ 550e.
Lexus created a future-forward shape with tons of attitude that still looks like a Lexus my mother would enjoy. Styling is considerably more aggressive than the bZ with angry LED headlamps, boomerang driving lamps and a wide spindle facia hanging an illuminated logo. Sharply sculpted fenders and angled black lower cladding add slashes of beautiful anger– all placed over black 20-inch wheels. Check blue brake calipers that add flair.
I could move into the interior, lush with deeply bolstered seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, layers of blue-stitched materials. Infotainment is handled via 14-inch touchscreen and wireless phone connections. Soak in the Mark Levinson audio system under a glass roof that goes from opaque to clear with a button. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and heated steering wheel greet all seasons. Safety tech includes all the latest plus a rearview camera mirror, head-up display and safe exit assist to keep kiddies from stepping into traffic.
Compared to the efficiency-focused bZ, the RZ 550e is a supercar harboring 402 horsepower for 0-60 mph in a scant 4.1 seconds. Quick. All-wheel-drive puts it all to pavement without a squirch. Like its down-market sibling, the RZ is enhanced to the NACS plug standard. Recharge times are similar, fast charging 10-80% in 30 minutes or a full recharge on a 240v home charger in 9.5 hours. Don’t plug into a wall outlet because that takes about 50 hours.
Range is a downside of AWD and performance leanings. While the Toyota easily tops 300-mile range, the RZ 550e posts 229 miles – not terrible, but we should be talking about another 100 miles to match best in class. I also wish for hands-off highway cruising as in its key domestic competitor.
Beneath the skin, much of the RZ is shared with the Toyota bZ and Subaru Solterra, but our F Sport has retuned suspension and steering for a more engaging experience. Even so, the chassis soaks up rough pavement and feels very settled on the road with nothing squeaking, creaking nor rattling.
As expected, the RZ is more expensive than the bZ, but it’s still very competitive. Base models start at $47,395, rising to $62,034 for our 550e AWD. Compare that to the Audi Q4 e-tron, BMW iX3 50 xDrive, Cadillac Optiq and Genesis GV60.
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Send comments to Casey at AutoCasey@aol.com; follow him on YouTube @AutoCasey.