And the award for the most improved EV goes to... the 2026 Toyota bZ

Toyota’s small electric SUV has been heavily revised and rebadged simply as the bZ. It uses a new 74.7 kWh battery, silicon carbide power electronics, and is offered in front- or all-wheel-drive; North American models swap the CCS1 inlet for a Tesla-style NACS socket.

Our test XLE FWD Plus carries a $37,900 sticker and the EPA’s longest bZ range: 314 miles, up from 252 miles for the pre-facelift car with a 71.4 kWh pack. With 221 hp to the front wheels and 4,156 lbs to shove along, the XLE FWD Plus is not quick — 0–60 mph takes about 8 seconds — but it proved a capable city car.

In Eco the car feels even more deliberate, and efficiency is strong: more than 4 miles/kWh should be easy and our last drive averaged 5.7 miles/kWh. DC fast charging is rated up to 150 kW for 10–80 percent in roughly 30 minutes; all bZs include adapters for CCS1 and J1772, though the charge-port location can force tight parking at some Superchargers.

toyota bz, electric suv, 74.7 kwh, silicon carbide, nacs, ccs1, epa range, xle fwd, dc fast, 150 kw