Toyota's most affordable EV is a great car with some bad helicopter parent-y quirks
The 2026 Toyota bZ is a new, affordable electric SUV that offers a practical, family-friendly driving experience similar to the RAV4. While the vehicle performs well on the road, it features unconventional styling and intrusive driver-assistance features.
Why it matters
As Toyota expands its EV lineup, this model represents a critical attempt to capture the mass-market midsize SUV segment with an accessible price point.
The Toyota bZ makes the transition from gas-powered cars to EVs a breeze. Its quirky styling and constant jangles hold it back. Ben Shimkus/Business Insider The 2026 Toyota bZ rides like an all-electric RAV4 — with some funky design choices. I drove the bZ, Toyota's most affordable EV, for a week. The bZ is a great family car that really, really cares about your coffee intake and posture. Toyota's refreshed, midsize EV — the 2026 bZ — looks nothing like other Toyotas. Its backside is sharply sloped and angular, giving it a profile that resembles a doorstop. It might win a Pontiac Aztek lookalike contest. Step inside, and even the dashboard has some funky angles, including a gauge cluster that sits unusually far back from the steering wheel. The 2026 Toyota bZ is a very family-friendly SUV with some quirky design choices.
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