2026 Toyota bZ Woodland First Drive Review + Video

It’s unlikely anyone at Subaru or Toyota will admit it, but it seems like the latest electric vehicles (EVs) they jointly developed were less of a combined effort than the first.

Where Subaru’s quirky looking Solterra and its Toyota twin — that’s since been renamed the bZ — have had the hallmarks of both brands from the very beginning, the oddly named Uncharted feels a lot more like a Subaru-badged version of the reborn Toyota C-HR. Conversely, it’s hard to shake the sense that the 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland is simply a Subaru by another name — and, indeed, that brand will sell you a Trailseeker that looks largely the same.

That’s not a criticism. In fact, that rugged connection makes the wagon-like bZ Woodland cool in the same kind of way as Blundstone boots. It might look and feel like a Subaru, but behind the badge is a versatile EV brimming with all kinds of utility for everyday adventures.

Stylish and Practical

The name is a bit bizarre, mostly because Toyota has used the Woodland moniker to refer to the rugged trim level for others in its lineup — including the best-selling RAV4 that was recently redesigned — but here, the bZ Woodland is an entirely separate model that sits alongside the bZ that came before it. That's not to say there are no similarities, though. Their underpinnings are identical, with the same shared platform as the other EVs in Toyota’s lineup; and it would take a keen eye to tell them apart as they’re heading towards you.

Viewed in profile, however, the bZ Woodland is very obviously an altogether different machine. Its stretched roofline oozes inherent practicality, as do the numbers. There's 957 L of storage space with the rear seats upright and 2,120 L with them stowed, which is nearly as much cargo room as the RAV4 offers, it’s just configured differently. And while the battery under the floor will be noticeable to those sitting in the back seat, it’s not enough to be considered uncomfortable — even for adults.

Up front, the telltale signs of electrification are on full display. The dash is impossibly low to provide outstanding outward visibility, while the centre console features an open compartment underneath —  a byproduct of the shift-by-wire system this EV employs. Up top, twin wireless phone chargers (which are standard, by the way) fill the space just below the 14-inch touchscreen in the middle of the dash, while the instrument screen sits high atop it.

While the latter has been the object of some critical ire since its introduction with the original bZ4X, it makes a head-up display entirely unnecessary since it puts critical drive-related information a short glance away from the road ahead. The touchscreen, too, while undeniably oversized, isn’t especially distracting thanks to the low-profile dash design.

Composed Personality

While the rest of the EVs in Toyota’s lineup come with the choice of powertrains and batteries, the bZ Woodland is offered in a single setup that pairs a 74.7-kWh battery pack with two electric motors and, of course, all-wheel drive. Net output is a punchy 375 hp, which is more than any other Toyota EV, including the upcoming Highlander that boasts three rows of seats and even more curb weight than the more than 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) this one is packing.

In spite of all that power — not to mention the torque, with each motor making 198 lb-ft of it, although not likely at the same time — this EV emphasizes smoothness over surging acceleration. OK, it only needs 4.4 seconds to hit 100 km/h from a standing start, according to Toyota, which is the same as its Supra sports car. That makes the bZ Woodland certifiably quick by any measure, but it doesn’t feel especially violent the way other EVs can, even with the pedal on the right pinned to the floor. Instead, highway speed arrives like a cascading yet calm wave.

The suspension tuning, too, feels ideally suited to the personality of this EV. Yes, at 215 mm (8.5 in) it’s got more ground clearance than most crossovers, electric or otherwise; and Toyota will even sell you one with a set of all-terrain tires. It’s also got a bit of unpainted body cladding and a pair of ladder-style roof rails that conspire to make the bZ Woodland look properly adventurous. But its on-road performance is the clear priority, and that’s where it excels.

There’s barely a hint of the big battery pack that sits low beneath the body, just a smooth and supple ride that could even be described as softly sprung, especially by EV standards. And while the adjustable regenerative braking could stand to be stronger — you also can’t bring the bZ Woodland to a complete stop by easing off the accelerator — it only serves to make this wagon even easier to get along with, whether in the city or on a winding road.

A Sensible Experience

Toyota has also made this EV’s various systems about as approachable as possible. From the infotainment system that includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, both of which are wireless, to the charging interface that features a Tesla-style port on the passenger-side front fender, there isn’t much guessing when it comes to the way the bZ Woodland works.

That North American Charging Standard (NACS) hookup supports peak DC fast-charging speeds of 150 kW, with the benchmark 10-to-80 per cent boost taking about 30 minutes in ideal conditions, according to Toyota. Meanwhile, with its 11-kW onboard charger, plugging into a 240-volt Level 2 connection like you might install at home should provide a full charge in roughly seven hours. And if you skip the all-terrain tires, you should expect 452 km of range. (That drops to 418 km with the more aggressive tires that are offered as a no-charge option.)

This being a Toyota, it also comes with all sorts of advanced safety and driver-assist systems including forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control that works in stop-and-go traffic. It also has surround-view cameras, automatic high-beam control, front and rear parking sensors, and more.

Meanwhile, standard amenities include heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, subscription-based satellite radio (with a three-month free trial), and subscription-based services like navigation that also include free trial periods. There are also twin wireless phone chargers on the centre console, four USB-C ports throughout the cabin, and a height-programmable power tailgate, plus phone-as-key functionality.

Of course, all that good stuff comes at a price, which in the case of the base bZ Woodland is $59,900 before freight ($1,930) and taxes. From there, the Premium trim adds a nine-speaker stereo (up from six), ventilated front seats, driver’s side memory settings, a fixed panoramic glass roof, and a camera-based rearview mirror for $64,900. That’s also the only way to get the optional all-terrain tire package, although it doesn’t add anything to the asking price.

Final Thoughts

There’s no question that’s a considerable sum, but it doesn’t seem entirely unreasonable for all that the 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland offers, either. The reality remains that electrification is an expensive technology that’s still in its relative infancy, and the costs haven’t come down to where they need to be in order to enjoy mass appeal. But in the case of this EV, instead of yet another sedan or crossover Toyota has delivered one that’s packed with adventure-friendly versatility thanks to its long-roof proportions.

More than that, the bZ Woodland drives exactly as it should: smooth, comfortable, quiet, and approachable. If this is your first foray into electrification, this wagon is about as good of an introduction you’re going to find.