Toyota's Electric Evolution: The bZ Woodland SUV Arrives with Power and Space
If you had visited a Toyota dealership seeking an electric vehicle just a few years ago, you would have left disappointed. Today, the landscape has transformed dramatically. Toyota now offers three electric crossovers, with a three-row SUV set to debut before year's end. Leading this charge is the new bZ Woodland, a rugged and elongated version of the compact bZ SUV, designed to deliver more power, enhanced space, and optional all-terrain tires.
A Strategic Shift in Toyota's EV Approach
Toyota faced significant criticism for its delayed entry into the electric vehicle market, lagging behind competitors like General Motors and Hyundai, which have established comprehensive battery-powered lineups. Initially, Toyota emphasized its hybrid technology but eventually collaborated with Subaru to develop the all-electric bZ4X. The 2022 launch of the bZ4X encountered numerous challenges, including limited availability and technical issues. In response, Toyota redesigned the model, removed the "4X" designation, and reintroduced it as the 2026 bZ. While retaining the same mechanical components and interior as its predecessor, the new version features an upgraded battery, power unit, and charging system, making it a substantially improved vehicle internally.
Scott MacKenzie, director of corporate and external affairs at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, emphasizes that the company has now set ambitious sales targets and secured ample supply to address previous acquisition difficulties.
Design and Dimensions: Rugged and Spacious
The Woodland shares its platform with the Subaru Trailseeker, offering a similar driving experience but with distinct styling. At the front, it mirrors the bZ with the innovative "Hammerhead" lighting design, which positions the daytime running lights (DRLs) higher and the headlights lower on the bumper, creating Toyota's new signature electric vehicle face. Beyond the front doors, the Woodland distinguishes itself with a longer roof and a boxy rear end that lends a more truck-like appearance.
Measuring 14 centimetres longer than the standard bZ, the Woodland maintains an identical wheelbase, with the additional length concentrated behind the rear wheels. This design translates to 173 litres of extra cargo capacity, totaling nearly 1,000 litres before folding down the rear seats. Rear passenger space remains comparable, but increased head and shoulder room enhance the sense of spaciousness.
Embracing its outdoor-inspired theme, the Woodland features unpainted front fenders, elevated roof rails, and an additional centimetre of ground clearance. Inside, the cabin closely resembles that of the bZ, though it comes better equipped with standard "Softex" faux leather seating, dual wireless phone chargers, and a 64-colour ambient lighting system.
Performance and Charging Capabilities
Powered by dual 167-kilowatt electric motors, the Woodland generates a total of 375 horsepower, making it the most potent model in Toyota's electric lineup. This enables acceleration from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in just 4.4 seconds, rivaling the performance of a GR Supra. Equipped with the same 74.7-kilowatt-hour battery as the bZ, the Woodland achieves up to 452 kilometres on a single charge, though this range decreases to 418 kilometres with all-terrain tires.
Charging is facilitated through a Tesla-style NACS port, with a maximum DC fast charging rate of 150 kilowatts. Toyota estimates a 10 to 80 percent charge in approximately 30 minutes, a standard benchmark in today's market. Notably, the vehicle can access Tesla Supercharger stations across North America without requiring an adapter.
Driving Experience and Off-Road Features
On winding southern California roads, the Woodland proves to be both quick and enjoyable to drive, offering instant acceleration that firmly presses occupants into their seats. A laminated windshield and front windows ensure a quiet cabin at high speeds, while improved damping provides a smoother ride compared to the bZ, likely due to the increased ground clearance.
Standard features include "X-mode" all-wheel drive and "grip control," which allows drivers to select a crawl speed for navigating rough terrain or obstacles without manual throttle or brake inputs. This system functions as a low-speed, off-road cruise control, automatically activating hill descent control on steep declines by modulating brakes and electric motors. During testing on challenging courses, it demonstrated impressive capability, making advanced off-road maneuvers accessible even to inexperienced drivers. While not on par with dedicated off-road vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler or Toyota Land Cruiser, the Woodland stands out as a highly capable electric crossover.
Availability and Pricing
The bZ Woodland will be manufactured alongside the Subaru Trailseeker at Subaru's Yajima plant in Japan, with sales expected to commence next month. Pricing starts at $59,900, reaching $64,900 for the premium package, which includes optional all-terrain tires at no additional cost.
