New and improved Toyota bZ is cheaper, sort of, than the bZ4X it replaces

Toyota Canada announced pricing for the 2026 model year of its compact electric SUV, which is available to buy sale now.

2026 Toyota bZ exterior
The 2026 Toyota bZ is available to buy in Canada now. – Toyota Canada Inc. photo

The all-new Toyota bZ has way more power and driving range, a more accessible charging port and more tech than the bZ4X it replaces.

And yet, the starting Canadian price for Toyota’s compact electric SUV is similar to the outgoing model.

The starting Canadian manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the 2026 bZ is $45,990, which is $515 less than the 2025 bZ4X’s starting MSRP of $46,515.

While the MSRP is lower, the estimated fees and levies being tacked onto the purchase price appear to be higher now, bringing the 2026 bZ’s price to $49,648, which is $80 more than the 2025 bZ4X’s starting price – that’s according to Toyota Canada’s media package.

Keep in mind, fees and levies may vary by location. Toyota Canada’s online configurator has the 2026 bZ available with lower fees and levies, bringing the EV to a starting price of $49,108, representing a decrease of $540 compared to the 2025 bZ4X – go figure.

The bZ also tops out at a higher price than the bZ4X, and the lowest-priced all-wheel-drive bZ is $6,374 more expensive than the lowest-priced all-wheel-drive bZ4X was.

New bZ powertrain

The all-wheel-drive versions of the bZ have about 50 per cent more power and up to 25 per cent more driving range than the outgoing bZ4X, but the front-wheel-drive version actually has a slight decrease in both range and power.

The all-wheel-drive models are fitted with a 77-kWh lithium-ion battery, giving the mid-range XLE AWD grade an estimated driving range of 468 kilometres and the top-of-the-line Limited grade a range of 438 kilometres.

The dual-motor all-wheel-drive models get a combined 338 hp, which is 50 per cent more than the bZ4X’s total output. Toyota said all-wheel-drive models will sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds.

The single-motor front-wheel-drive XLE trim gets a 57.7-kWh battery and an estimated driving range of 380 kilometres.

The FWD version gets 168 hp, which is actually a decrease from the bZ4X’s FWD model, which had 201 hp. The range is also lower as the FWD bZ4X was good for an estimated 406 kilometres.

Improved charging

The bZ now comes standard with a North American Charging Standard charge port, giving it access to a growing network of public Level 3 charging stations such as Tesla Superchargers.

The on-board Level 2 AC charger is now faster, with a capacity of 11 kW, compared to the bZ4X’s 7 kW.

2026 Toyota bZ interior
The Toyota bZ gets dual wireless charging docks and a 14-inch centre screen. – Toyota Canada Inc. photo

Tech updates

Every bZ now comes with more standard tech, including Toyota Multimedia with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, with controllable features via sight, touch and voice.

The SUV gets a 14-inch centre screen, up from the previous 12.3-inch monitor. It also gets a suite of connected services, three USB charge ports, dual 15-watt wireless phone charging docks and a 1,500-watt A/C outlet with deck plug.

The Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is standard across all grades.

Three grades to choose from

The 2026 bZ is available in three grades in Canada.

Starting Canadian pricing (estimated) is as follows:

  • XLE FWD – $49,648 (MSRP of $45,990 plus fees and levies)
  • XLE AWD – $57,048 (MSRP of $53,390 plus fees and levies)
  • Limited AWD – $65,348 (MSRP of $61,690 plus fees and levies)

Full model details are available on the Toyota Canada website.


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