As gasoline prices remain in nosebleed territory, all-electric vehicles like the 2026 Toyota bZ are getting more attention than they might have otherwise.

Formerly known as the bZ4X, this year’s bZ (which stands for ‘beyond Zero’) is considered a Small Crossover ‘family’ SUV that comes with an improved driving range of anywhere from 235 to 315 miles per charge depending on trim.

(Note: This review will focus solely on the bZ and not on the bZ Woodland, which is a high-performance variant that is larger and comes with a more powerful engine and All-Wheel Drive.)

I will state upfront that I have mixed feelings on the bZ, as I had on the bZ4X.

It’s a cramped car, but in all fairness, I am more Fred Flintstone than George Jetson when it comes to size and body type.

At a starting price of $35K US, there are other roomier cars in the small car category that don’t make you feel like you are trying to shoehorn yourself into a bumper car.

EV enthusiasts complain that there is no ‘one foot’ driving with the bZ, but I will admit that the concept is lost on me since I need to be fully engaged when I drive, and that means using both the brake and the accelerator.

I did find the driving to be smooth and refreshing, not challenging at all – and that’s a good thing.

 That said, there is some appeal to the bZ. (Wow, do I miss the days when cars were named Edsel or Volare and not some alphanumeric algorithm.)

U.S. News and World Report, my go to source for real automotive news (in addition to gaywheels.com) says the 2026 bZ has a “comfortable ride, peppy acceleration [and an] easy-to-use infotainment [system]” – and I could not agree more.

Toyota has some of the best infotainment systems in cars that you can imagine.  Easy to use, easy to navigate, never a worry about saying the wrong thing or fingering the wrong menu item and suddenly winding up on America’s Funniest Home Videos.

Car and Driver feels the bZ is “more sprightly and lighter on its feet” that the old bZ4X, and, okay, I’ll go along with that.  There is some pep there.  You certainly feel like you are going along just fine with no issues, and in a small car, you clearly want that feeling.

Yet the bZ falls down in two other (for me) major areas: Front-Wheel Drive is the standard, and while good, anymore, people need All-Wheel Drive IMHO.  Adverse weather is part and parcel for these United States in the latter half of the Roaring Twenties. FWD is okay but AWD is better, especially if you are driving the Colorado high country, where it is mandatory if you do not have tire chains.

And just as with the bZ4X of the not-too-distant past, the steering wheel placement partially obstructs the gauge cluster, meaning that you have to maneuver your arms and your eyes so you can see everything clearly.

Toyota also has the C-HR (a subcompact, similar to the bZ) for 2026, and for 2027, there will be an all-electric Highlander (a midsized SUV).

Personally, I think Toyota’s all-gas, hybrid or plug-in hybrid cars are better.  But please let me know your thoughts.  EVs will do a better job of saving the planet than piston engines will, but as always, I want your input.

Well, it’s go-time here in the United States. If you haven’t yet voted, PLEASE vote today or tomorrow.  Do whatever you need to do so you can vote.  Please do not sit this one out.

I would love to tell you that we will know something – good, bad or otherwise – in a few days, if not sooner.

I would just like to remind everyone reading this to stay strong and know that we are here for you.  I know that sounds like a cliché, a throwaway line, something we would say to sell you something.

But we at gaywheels.com are all here to help however we can.  I will be honest, the next few months are going to be rough.  2027 may be even rougher.

You may need a car for all of it.  You will likely need more than that.

We will help you where we can.