Toyota to Introduce Rugged Electric SUV in 2026
The automotive world is buzzing with excitement as Toyota prepares to launch its latest electric vehicle (EV), the bZ Woodland, next year. This all-electric SUV is designed for light off-road adventures and utility use, offering a unique blend of ruggedness, premium interior, and advanced technology.
The bZ Woodland will be available in the U.S. alongside Toyota's other recently announced BEV, the small C-HR CUV. This new addition to Toyota's bZ (Beyond Zero) electric vehicle lineup is a 250-mile-range, dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric SUV with off-road-tuned suspension, balancing practicality and capability.
Key specifications and features include:
- Powertrain: Dual electric motors with AWD, delivering between 214 hp (per one source) and 375 hp (per another) [1][2].
- Suspension: Tuned for light off-road terrain, with revised coil springs and shock absorbers to handle dirt trails, gravel, and snow [1].
- Range: Up to 250 miles per full charge, balancing practicality and capability [1].
- Interior: More refined cabin than previous models, with higher-quality materials, soft-touch surfaces, optional quilted leather upholstery, and a driver-focused dashboard. The centerpiece is a large 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system [1].
- Charging: Fast DC charging support that can replenish the battery efficiently (inferred from Toyota’s EV approach but not explicitly stated for this model) [4].
- Additional features: Multiple drive modes and regenerative braking to enhance efficiency and control on various terrains [1].
The bZ Woodland is positioned as a more rugged, utility-oriented variant within Toyota’s bZ electric vehicle lineup, targeting buyers looking for an adventure-capable EV SUV with a premium interior and AWD traction.
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite is standard on the bZ Woodland, providing features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, lane tracing assist, pre-collision system, road sign assist, automatic high beams, and Safe Exit Alert. The bZ Woodland also features Grip Control, which manages engine torque and braking independently on each wheel to optimize traction in off-road conditions.
The bZ Woodland is slightly taller than the standard bZ due to increased ground clearance and roof rails. It shares a 14-in. center multimedia touchscreen with its BEV stablemates but is longer with a higher roofline and more cargo space. The exterior boasts gray body cladding, black overfenders, and unique 18-in. wheels.
Unlike in gas-electric hybrids, Toyota presently has a single BEV model on sale in the U.S. in the current bZ4X. The bZ Woodland offers increased horsepower (375 hp) compared to the bZ, but this results in a slightly reduced range (estimated at 260 miles or 418 km).
The bZ Woodland includes an X-Mode that applies power and traction to the wheels in sloppy road conditions and Toyota's Grip Control for enhanced off-roading capability. This rugged EV is designed with outdoor adventures in mind, emphasizing ruggedness and capability.
Toyota's recent refresh and name change for the bZ, as well as the Woodland variant and the C-HR, is the company's effort to more seriously compete with Tesla, Hyundai, and other BEV-sector heavy hitters. As the world's largest automaker by sales volume, Toyota's entry into the BEV market is a significant development. The bZ Woodland is set to debut in 2026, and it's sure to turn heads and raise the bar for rugged EVs.
- The automotive industry is eagerly awaiting Toyota's upcoming electric vehicle (EV), the bZ Woodland, which is planned for release next year, as it offers a unique combination of ruggedness, premium interior, and advanced technology.
- The finance sector is closely watching Toyota's entrance into the BEV market, as the company, being the world's largest automaker by sales volume, is rapidly expanding its electric-vehicles (EVs) lineup with the bZ Woodland.
- The lifestyle of outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure-capable EVs is set to transform with the arrival of the rugged bZ Woodland, promising a blend of off-road capability, utility, and a driver-focused cabin.
- The technology used in the bZ Woodland, Toyota's latest all-electric SUV, includes features such as dual electric motors, off-road-tuned suspension, fast DC charging support, a large touchscreen infotainment system, and multiple drive modes to optimize efficiency on various terrains.
