2026 Toyota bZ5X Pictures, MPG, Redesign

2026 Toyota bZ5X Pictures, MPG, Redesign   –  The bZ5X’s crossover styling is a bit heavy-handed, with its bulky matte-black cladding. All trims include 18-inch wheels. The dash is similar to the one found in the redesigned Toyota Prius, with a high-mounted instrument cluster above the squared-off steering column. The fabric-covered dash looks and feels nice. While the Prius has a dash-mounted centre touchscreen, the bZ5X’s tablet-style display rises out of the centre console, which is finished in high-gloss black plastic. It’s all wrong, because it blindingly reflects sunlight like a mirror.

2026 Toyota bZ5X Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior and Interior

While most of the bZ5X’s climate functions are icons, they’re on a dedicated panel rather than in the centre screen’s menus, and the temperature controls are toggle switches. The stereo volume buttons are better than a slider icon, but nowhere near as good as a simple dial. The drive modes are buttons on the console.

Visibility is good, but thanks to that odd combination of steering column and far-forward instrument cluster, I found it difficult to find a seating position where the wheel didn’t obstruct some of the cluster’s readout. I really like that the charge ports are protected by plastic covers that flip open when you spring their latches. Most electric vehicles (EVs) use rubber covers on floppy tethers that are far less convenient.

2026 Toyota bZ5X Specs

The base bZ5X L includes an eight-inch touchscreen, USB Type-A and Type-C charging ports, cloth seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, auto-levelling LED headlights, heated mirrors, and variable intermittent wipers. My next-step-up LE substituted a 12.3-inch centre screen for the eight-inch one, plus a power tailgate, heated front seats and steering wheel, under-dash radiant leg-and-foot warmers, and rain-sensing wipers.

The XLE then adds a wireless charger, fabric and faux leather upholstery, an auto-dimming mirror, cargo privacy cover, and panoramic sunroof. Its available Technology package beefs that up with a hands-free tailgate, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, advanced parking assist, and 20-inch wheels.

Engine and Performance

The bZ5X L and LE use a single motor that drives the front wheels, making 201 hp (150 kW) and 196 lb-ft of torque, with single-speed automatic transmission. That’s the same as the Subaru Solterra, while the Volkswagen ID.4 has the same horsepower but 229 lb-ft of torque. The Kia EV6 beats both at 225 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque in its rear-drive-only configuration. Opt for the bZ5X in all-wheel drive, with two motors, and they combine for 214 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque.

While not as powerful as the AWD version, my tester was fine for everything I needed it to do. It’s sprightly from a stop, reaches highway speeds promptly, and still has enough guts as needed for passing.   2026 Toyota bZ5X Pictures

2026 Toyota bZ5X Fuel Economy

The bZ5X is rated by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) for a range of 406 km in FWD, and 367 km in AWD. Of course, that’s dependent on several factors, including driving habits and ambient temperature. At one point, freshly charged up on a warm day, the gauge gave a rather optimistic range of 455 km – and which promptly dropped to 360 km when I turned on the climate control. All EVs experience some range loss when heating or cooling the cabin, but that’s the most I’ve ever seen an estimated range fall because of it.  2026 Toyota bZ5X Pictures

Among two-wheel-drive rivals, the Nissan Ariya is rated at 348 km; the Chevrolet Bolt EUV at 397 km; and, depending on battery size, the Volkswagen ID.4 is 336 or 443 km, and the Kia EV6 is 373 to 499 km. The bZ5X is rated at 1.8 Le/100 km in the city, 2.2 on the highway, and 2.0 in combined driving. (That’s for litres equivalent, comparing the electrical energy to corresponding gasoline energy, and it’s within decimal-places of its rivals.)

2026 Toyota bZ5X Safety Features

As of the time of writing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had rated the bZ5X as “Good,” the highest rating possible. This rating was based on testing done by the IIHS, which included an updated side-impact test that more closely resembles being struck by a larger SUV. Nevertheless, it loses out on one of the most sought-after accolades given by the non-profit due to its “Poor” headlamp rating.  2026 Toyota bZ5X Pictures

All trims come with adaptive cruise control, emergency front braking, lane-keep assist, and the back-up camera that’s mandatory on all new vehicles, but blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert comes only on the LE and XLE. That top trim further adds emergency rear braking.

2026 Toyota bZ5X Price and Release Date

The bZ5X in FWD starts at $46,880 in L trim and $51,880 for the LE. The AWD trims are the XLE at $56,880 and XLE Technology at $64,640. This Toyota’s Subaru cousin is AWD-only and runs from $56,290 to $64,090.  2026 Toyota bZ5X Pictures

Among some of its two-wheel-drive competitors, the Chevrolet Bolt EUV starts at $42,348, but others are pricier: the Volkswagen ID.4 at $48,545; the Kia EV6 at $49,995; and the Nissan Ariya at approximately $52,500, all prices including delivery but before any applicable rebates. From behind the wheel, my tester didn’t feel like an almost-$52,000 vehicle, but EVs still aren’t inexpensive and the 2026 Toyota bZ5X is priced competitively in the segment. If you’re ready to plug in, give Toyota’s first-ever electric a look.