Transport Evolved - The 2026 Toyota bZ (BZ4X): Has Toyota Finally Built Its EV Camry?
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Toyota has a long and complicated history with EVs. Despite being one of the first automakers to produce an EV more than 20 years ago, it's spent much of the time since trying to convince people that EVs aren't a great idea. It's spent years promoting its hybrid technology and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles instead. And it's spent hundreds of millions on ad campaigns that conflate "battery electric", "hybrid electric" and "electrified."
And when Toyota introduced its first EV for much of the world in over a decade, the BZ4X felt like a product designed to feel adequate but not take away customers from its hybrid market. It performed adequately, but it wasn't a competitive vehicle in a crowded marketplace.
Sales of that BZ4X were never particularly high - but for the 2026 model year, Toyota made some sizable improvements to the TGNA platform on which it, the Lexus RZ and Subaru Solterra is based, improving battery pack specs, charging capabilities, and drivetrain. And the result? As we've just found out - a much more compelling, affordable, and enticing car for someone who wants Toyota Camry-like vibes... but with an electric heart.
Watch on YouTube — or if you'd prefer (we would), PeerTube.
Chapter Breakdown:
00:00 – Intro & Montage
01:34 – The bZ (and how it varies to the Solterra)
03:38 – Trims & Pricing
04:37 – Interior
06:20 – Our Review Process
08:21 – Performance & Specs
10:08 – Roof, Screens & Drive Modes
13:37 – Charging
16:18 – Range & Road Trips
18:52 – Verdict: The Camry of EVs
Sponsors And How To Support Us!
Support the Show:
Donate Bitcoin: 1QRZRGCCXUKPDZ2DZ9KX9JYJXMZDYHYGFZ0MN4WH
Join the Conversation:
Subscribe to our Main Channel, Transport Evolved or our second channel, Transport Evolved Take Two
Don't forget to check out Kate Walton-Elliott's new venture, Antithesis Press!
Credits:
Music: via Artlist.io
Host: Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield
Color: Vi Horton
Art & Animation : Erin Carlie
Producer: Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield
Toyota has a long and complicated history with EVs. Despite being one of the first automakers to produce an EV more than 20 years ago, it's spent much of the time since trying to convince people that EVs aren't a great idea. It's spent years promoting its hybrid technology and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles instead. And it's spent hundreds of millions on ad campaigns that conflate "battery electric", "hybrid electric" and "electrified."
And when Toyota introduced its first EV for much of the world in over a decade, the BZ4X felt like a product designed to feel adequate but not take away customers from its hybrid market. It performed adequately, but it wasn't a competitive vehicle in a crowded marketplace.
Sales of that BZ4X were never particularly high - but for the 2026 model year, Toyota made some sizable improvements to the TGNA platform on which it, the Lexus RZ and Subaru Solterra is based, improving battery pack specs, charging capabilities, and drivetrain. And the result? As we've just found out - a much more compelling, affordable, and enticing car for someone who wants Toyota Camry-like vibes... but with an electric heart.
Watch on YouTube — or if you'd prefer (we would), PeerTube.
Chapter Breakdown:
00:00 – Intro & Montage
01:34 – The bZ (and how it varies to the Solterra)
03:38 – Trims & Pricing
04:37 – Interior
06:20 – Our Review Process
08:21 – Performance & Specs
10:08 – Roof, Screens & Drive Modes
13:37 – Charging
16:18 – Range & Road Trips
18:52 – Verdict: The Camry of EVs
Sponsors And How To Support Us!
Support the Show:
Donate Bitcoin: 1QRZRGCCXUKPDZ2DZ9KX9JYJXMZDYHYGFZ0MN4WH
Join the Conversation:
Subscribe to our Main Channel, Transport Evolved or our second channel, Transport Evolved Take Two
Don't forget to check out Kate Walton-Elliott's new venture, Antithesis Press!
Credits:
Music: via Artlist.io
Host: Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield
Color: Vi Horton
Art & Animation : Erin Carlie
Producer: Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield
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