Toyota fills out its weak EV lineup with the bZ Woodland SUV

For years, Toyota has been criticized for sitting on the sidelines as the electric vehicle revolution swept through the auto industry. Instead of riding the wave, The Japanese auto giant has doubled its efforts in the field of hybrid carsWith only one electric car being introduced to the American market, bZ4X which was poorly reviewed. But as sales growth slows and governments begin to remove incentives for electric vehicles, Toyota’s caution was seen in retrospect as strategic. Now, with other automakers pulling out, Toyota is finally coming off the sidelines.

The Japanese auto giant announced last week New Highlandera three-row SUV with over 300 miles of range, car-to-load capabilities, and some “Made in America” goodwill. Today, it takes off again with the bZ Woodland, a compact SUV with plenty of exterior flair, with a full spec sheet to go with first drive impressions.

The bZ Woodland is the off-road version of the bZ compact SUV (formerly called bZ4X), which was for many years Toyota’s only electric offering in the United States. But the automaker wants you to think of it as a complete reimagining of the bZ more than just a simple change in trim level. While it shares some DNA with the standard bZ, the Woodland adds nearly six inches of length and an extra inch of headroom in the back, with a total of 74.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. That’s significantly more than the bZ’s standard 67.1 cubic feet.

The bZ Woodland features a dual motor and all-wheel drive system that delivers 375 horsepower and 0-60 mph acceleration in just 4.4 seconds. The electric vehicle’s EPA-estimated range of 281 miles is similar to other battery-powered compact SUVs. But with all-terrain tires, that estimated range drops to 260 miles.

The charging port is NACS, which means the bZ Woodland will be able to charge through Tesla’s Supercharger network. Under the right conditions, the 74.7 kWh battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 30 minutes. As in the Highlander, the battery can be pre-conditioned to ensure the ideal charging temperature.

With 8.4 inches of ground clearance, the bZ Woodland is ready to handle even the toughest off-road conditions. It can tow up to 3,500 pounds and comes standard with a pair of roof rails. The 18-inch aluminum wheels feature aero flaps for improved dynamics.

But if the timing of the bZ Woodland is intriguing, the price may seem even more confusing. It starts at $46,695 (including delivery charges), which is about $5,300 more than its platform twin, the Subaru Trailseeker. Toyota is co-developing its electric vehicles with Subaru, which means the bZ Woodland is essentially a version of the $41,445 Trailseeker. Are there $5,300 worth of improvements to bZ Woodland?

Even if that’s not the case, it’s great to see Toyota finally getting into the electric car world. The powerful crossover is expected to reach dealerships in March 2026.