5 Differences Between the 2025 Toyota bZ4X and the 2026 Toyota bZ

For 2026, Toyota is tweaking its electric vehicle strategy. Not only is the automaker expanding its lineup with two new electric SUVs (the C-HR and the bZ Woodland), but it’s also refining its current bZ4X’s formula. This spring, at its North American headquarters in Plano, Texas, Toyota unveiled the 2026 Toyota bZ. In many ways, it’s an evolution of the bZ4X.

To help highlight how the 2026 Toyota bZ differs from the 2025 bZ4X, here are 5 key differences we’ve identified between these two models.

1. First, the 2026 Toyota bZ gets a new name

Late last year, we learned exclusively that the bZ4X would be getting a new name. A few months later, it was confirmed: it’ll now simply be called the bZ. The letters bZ stand for “beyond Zero,” while the “4” indicates vehicle size and the “X” means crossover. For 2026, Toyota has decided to simplify things with a name that’s easier to remember and pronounce.

It’s worth noting that the bZ4X didn’t do poorly in terms of sales. Despite some jokes and criticism, this fully electric crossover found thousands of buyers in 2024. By comparison, the bZ4X outsold several EVs in its segment nationwide.

2. The 2025 bZ4X and 2026 bZ stand apart in styling

Looking back, it’s clear the Toyota bZ4X featured polarizing styling. It’s easy to see why some buyers were put off by its looks. Without starting entirely from scratch, Toyota did tweak several design elements on the new 2026 bZ. The most noticeable change? Its wheel arches are now painted the same colour as the body, giving it a more seamless, uniform appearance. Some of the sharp angles have also been softened, helping it blend in better on the road. The front end has been lightly reworked, too, featuring LED headlights and Toyota’s signature hammerhead shark shape.

3. Big differences in power output

When comparing the 2025 bZ4X and the 2026 bZ, Toyota’s most significant change comes in the form of power. The 2025 bZ4X, in its base LE front-wheel-drive version, had a 201-horsepower electric motor. The equivalent 2026 bZ drops to just 168 horsepower—a notable decrease that’s a bit puzzling.

On the flip side, the XLE AWD and Limited AWD versions of the 2026 bZ crank things up to 338 horsepower. That’s a huge jump from the 214-horsepower found in their 2025 counterparts. It does make us wonder why Toyota opted for so much power in an electric crossover. We’re curious to see the reasoning behind it.

4. Driving range isn’t the same either

Just as Toyota adjusted power figures, it also changed driving range.

The 2026 front-wheel-drive bZ XLE has a 57.7-kWh battery that delivers up to 378 km, according to Toyota’s estimates. By contrast, the similar 2025 version was rated at 406 km by Natural Resources Canada.

Meanwhile, the XLE AWD and Limited AWD models use a larger 77-kWh battery, offering ranges of 460 and 430 km, respectively. That’s a big improvement over the 2025 versions, which were rated at 367 and 357 km.

The new 2026 bZ also features a battery preconditioning function and a thermal management system, which should help maintain range in colder weather.

Toyota bZ Woodland 2026: A More Adventurous All-Electric SUV

5. The 2026 Toyota bZ comes with a NACS charging port

Another new feature on the 2026 bZ versus the 2025 bZ4X is the addition of a NACS (North American Charging Standard) port. This makes it easier to use Tesla’s charging network—definitely handy when travelling.

In closing, the 2026 bZ is expected to arrive at dealerships in the second half of 2025. We should know its pricing by then. For now, keep in mind that the main differences between the 2026 Toyota bZ and the 2025 bZ4X are its new name, updated styling, revised power, adjusted driving range, and the new charging port.