Toyota has never shied away from embracing new technology, especially when that technology can improve both performance and efficiency while helping to create a greener planet. The brand led the hybrid revolution with the debut of the Prius in 1997, and it certainly hasn’t slowed down since.

Toyota has continued to leverage advancements in automotive design with the debut of new hybrid models, but many drivers don’t realize that Toyota has also been a trailblazer in the EV segment. The RAV4 EV hit the market alongside the Prius in 1997 as a fleet vehicle aimed at meeting California’s strict emissions requirements. The second-generation RAV4 EV, which was developed in collaboration with Tesla, enjoyed a wider release, but the compact crossover proved to be a little ahead of its time with a short production run that only lasted from 2012 to 2014.

Toyota went back to the drawing board and bided its time before introducing its next EV, but most drivers agree that the bZ4X compact crossover was well worth the wait. Released in 2022, the bZ4X ticked all the EV boxes, delivering an engaging ride and quick acceleration while notching up to 131 MPGe in the city in EPA testing.

The bZ4X was the first model in Toyota’s Beyond Zero (bZ) lineup. While the international market has been treated to four other bZ vehicles in the years since, the bZ4X remained the sole option in the American market. That all changes for 2026 as Toyota introduces a new, off-road-focused EV version in bZ Woodland.

The longer, estate-style version of the crossover EV features extra cargo room, a dual-motor AWD powertrain, and rugged styling that lend the bZ Woodland plenty of off-road appeal. The bZ4X has also been graced with a host of upgrades for the new year, and Toyota pared down its moniker to the decidedly snappier "bZ." Join us as we explore Toyota’s current bZ roster and learn how a quick visit to Toyota of Bowling Green, your Toyota dealer near Leitchfield, could mark the beginning of your EV journey.

Rugged and Ready: Exploring the bZ Woodland

We’ll start with the newcomer in the Toyota bZ Woodland. The new model is part of the brand’s Woodland lineup, which has seen some of Toyota’s most popular models given an outdoorsy makeover and a selection of off-road upgrades that allow them to venture a little further off the grid than the average vehicle.

The best-selling RAV4 Hybrid and Sienna minivan were the first to wear the Woodland badge, although those were just trims, not stand-alone models. Now it’s the bZ’s turn to get in on the action. The crossover boasts 8.3 inches of ground clearance to the bZ’s 8.2 inches, but it’s the bZ Woodland’s all-terrain tires that really set it up for success.

Traction is key when venturing off-road or facing the adverse weather that hits Leitchfield during the colder months, but the bZ Woodland’s Falken WildPeak A/T Trail tires are designed to provide all the grip you’ll need to power through tough conditions. Toyota’s X-MODE terrain system also ups the traction and is the perfect complement to the SUV’s off-road focus, allowing drivers to choose from custom settings that tweak the bZ Woodland’s traction control and torque distribution to better handle whatever the road might throw at it.

The new Toyota features a 360-degree Panoramic View Monitor camera that’ll help you spot off-road hazards and on-road obstacles before they can cause any serious damage, and overfenders that help shield the SUV from flying debris. Toyota has also stretched the original bZ by six inches, improving the SUV’s storage space by almost three cubic feet and upping its appeal among those seeking a new family vehicle with plenty of room for kids and cargo alike.

A dual-motor AWD powertrain comes standard on the bZ Woodland, which makes a huge difference when it comes to performance. The SUV can produce 375 hp with ease, which opens the door to some thrilling automotive antics.

The bZ Woodland is even speedier than the regular model and offers an improved towing capacity of 3,500 lbs in case you need to bring a small trailer or camper along on your next excursion. The bZ Woodland’s impressive performance does slightly impact the EV’s driving range with an estimated 260 miles per charge, but it’s a small price to pay for the go-anywhere attitude that it brings to the table.

Revamped and Recharged: The Upgraded bZ Shines

The regular bZ is not only packing a new name, but also a new, souped-up powertrain that’s sure to inject some excitement into your daily driving duties. Toyota has swapped out the bZ’s original electric motor for a new design that provides some obvious benefits in terms of raw performance, allowing the FWD model to produce 221 hp. That might only be a modest improvement on the 2025 model’s 201 hp, but it’s an entirely different story when all four wheels get involved.

When equipped with AWD, the new dual-motor bZ can churn out 338 hp. That’s a 58% increase over the 214 hp of the previous version and clearly proves that Toyota is aiming to up the bar in the EV segment with a family-friendly crossover that can speed from zero to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds.

The bZ also gains a little more range for 2025, thanks to the new 74.7 kWh battery pack. The larger battery allows the bZ to travel an estimated 314 miles, which is around 25% better than its predecessor. When it does come time to juice up the crossover, you won’t be waiting around for long.

Toyota has swapped out the old CCS charging port with a NACS port that’s compatible with Tesla’s 30,000 Superchargers. With the ability to charge from 10% to 80% in just 30 minutes at any of Kentucky’s 17 Supercharger sites, the new NACS port helps to alleviate the range anxiety that is often cited as a major roadblock in widespread EV adoption.

The crossover’s cutting-edge design isn’t limited to the bZ’s powertrain. The EV also features a generous array of advanced infotainment and safety tech, starting with a 14-inch touchscreen display. Two wireless chargers will ensure your devices are ready for a long day of cruising around Leitchfield, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto give drivers the chance to tap into their smartphone’s full potential to stream content, use apps, or keep in touch while they’re on the go.

The bZ’s safety credentials are strengthened by an arsenal of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) that range from automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist to adaptive cruise control and more. The rebranded SUV even includes Toyota’s Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) technology, which can take the wheel and handle all the acceleration and braking duties in low-speed scenarios.

Your Electric Journey Awaits: Toyota’s bZ Lineup

The bZ and bZ Woodland might mark two exciting additions to the Toyota lineup, but they’re not the only new EVs on offer for the 2026 model year. Toyota has also revived the subcompact C-HR crossover as an all-electric model for the new year.

This subcompact SUV shares the bZ’s e-TNGA platform, but represents a smaller alternative that’s still big on power with 338 hp courtesy of two electric motors. No matter which model you choose, you’ll be able to explore Leitchfield in style while enjoying all the performance and efficiency benefits that only an EV can offer.

If you’re ready to explore Toyota’s enticing new EVs, Toyota of Bowling Green is at your service. We know that making the transition to an all-electric vehicle can be an intimidating process, but we’re always here to provide guidance and answer any questions Leitchfield drivers might have about this exciting new technology.