Like To Have a Choice? The 2026 Toyota bZ EV Offers a Range of Options, Power and Trims, All Under $46KA Girls Guide to CarsErica MuellerFri, September 18, 2026 at 10:00 AM UTCAdd us on GoogleErica MuellerThe 2026 Toyota bZ should be the blueprint for a cost-effective, easy-to-live-with EV with a respectable range and charging setup. Saying I loved it is an understatement.Have you ever been friends with someone for a while, then you run into their sibling, whom you've never met before, and instantly you know they must be sisters? That was my experience with the Toyota bZ after driving the Toyota CH-R. These small electric cars are so very similar that at first you might wonder why make and sell both? I did. But a little research and a week spent in each provided some insight and a clear favorite for me.The Toyota bZ offers more trim levels, more power, and more space, since it's a noticeably bigger car. So what's the big difference? The CH-R is a sub-compact SUV that comes only with all-wheel drive. It's meant to be sporty, capable, and youthful. The bZ offers AWD on XLE Plus and Limited trims, and exclusively on the Woodland trim—giving buyers the choice between a higher range or capability. You get more horsepower options, too, but more on that later.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt has a wider price range, too, starting at $34,980 to $46,750, depending on whether or not you get all-wheel drive or not. Here's what else shoppers need to know.This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.The Choice is Yours With the 2026 Toyota bZThe interior of the 2026 Toyota bZToyota made something very clear: buyers have the power to choose. You get to choose between three battery sizes (and therefore, three different horsepower ratings and maximum ranges), all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive, and an off-roading trim if you want one. There are only two trims of the bZ, the XLE and the Limited. The bZ Woodland gets its own dedicated webpage, as a completely separate build.Here's a simple breakdown of Toyota's trim strategy for the bZ:AdvertisementAdvertisementBase, XLE FWD ($34,900): 168 horsepower with the smallest battery. Maximum range is 236 miles.XLE Plus FWD ($37,780): 221 horsepower and 314 miles of rangeXLE Dual-Motor AWD ($41,575): 338 horsepower and 288 miles of rangeLimited Single Motor FWD ($42,957): 221 horsepower and 299 miles of rangeLimited Dual-Motor AWD ($47,450): 338 horsepower and 278 miles of rangeThe Interior is Thoughtful and All-InclusiveThe driver's center of the 2026 Toyota bZTwo wireless charging pads for phones. Why is this such a luxury? Thank you, Toyota! The 2026 Toyota bZ also has 4 USB-C charging ports so absolutely everyone arrives at their destination with a full charge. The 14" multimedia touch screen is easy to navigate, and you still get some tactile knobs for things like climate control. 64 color options for ambient lighting were something I didn't realize I'd value so much in an EV at its price point, but… Here we are.I like that there are options for seat covers – either an easy-to-clean cloth or soft leather-like covers. In the Texas heat, cloth is my favorite, but the leather-look is really sharp. The panoramic moonroof (+$1,000) really adds to the ambiance inside, and makes you want to get out and explore, day and night. There's storage under the middle console that is perfect for small items that would otherwise drift about the vehicle.Cargo Space is Family-Friendly, and FlexibleThe rear cargo hold is spacious, perfect for familiesCargo space is something I always need more of, and the Toyota bZ offers 27.7 cubic feet of it behind the rear seats. Then the rear seats can fold down and create an even bigger, very flat space. This and the larger interior overall were some of the biggest selling points for me when I was comparing the bZ to the CH-R.AdvertisementAdvertisementI was also impressed with the amount of storage space under the cargo area—all of the charging cables/adapters fit under there with room to spare. Oh yeah, and if you're wondering, the retractable cargo cover is a super-easy tension rod that can be removed and replaced in seconds. I needed to take it out when I had the seat down to accommodate some larger cargo, and I was so impressed with how easy it was to operate.For rear passengers, fitting back there is easy. They all have 35.3 inches of breathing room; an elbow pad with cupholders is built into the middle seat; and each passenger has a rear-facing A/C vent with a dedicated USB-C charging port, and heated seats are available on higher trims.We Talked About Range, But How About Charging?A 2026 Toyota bZ chargingThe 2026 Toyota bZ is equipped with the North American Charging System (NACS) and multiple adapters so you can charge anywhere, including Tesla Superchargers. The 2026 model has an improved level-2 charging system to help speed up at-home charging. And, at a DC fast charging center, the bZ can go from 10%-80% charge in about 30 minutes. We experienced this multiple times and it was impressive.Worried about when and where to charge? The Toyota app can show you where charging stations are, help you schedule charging times at home so you're charging during off-peak hours and spending less, and allow you to set up plug-and-charge options so that you aren't having to mess with multiple charge-point apps and accounts. The car comes with an 8 year/100,000 mile warranty that covers electric vehicle components.The 2026 Toyota bZ is an Approachable, Fashion-Forward EVThe front quarter end of the 2026 Toyota bZThe 2026 Toyota bZ we drove had the Heavy Metal gray exterior with a Midnight Black Metallic roof. I think it's really sophisticated, but I also love the blue or red with a black roof! While the CH-R I drove got some odd comments, the bZ really impressed my friends. They both drove great and I enjoyed them equally, but they are designed for completely different audiences, and I think my friends and I have passed "modern, edgy, cool" and are ready to appreciate something a little more classic.