The 2027 Toyota bZ returns for its fifth year in the lineup as Toyota’s most affordable electric SUV, and for the first time it arrives without the nameplate that launched it: the bZ4X badge is gone, replaced by a shorter, simpler name. Toyota announced the 2027 bZ on August 4, 2026, and the headline for this model year is continuity rather than change — the SUV carries over largely unchanged, with the updated design, bigger battery options and NACS charging port that arrived with the 2026 refresh.
Here is what the 2027 bZ offers, from range and battery sizes to pricing, grades and the timing for dealer arrivals.
What’s New for 2027
The short answer: not much, and that is deliberate. Toyota says the 2027 bZ “remains unchanged from the prior model year,” which means the current-generation body, the upgraded interior, the 14-inch multimedia screen and the North American Charging System (NACS) port all carry over. The important shift happened a year earlier, when the bZ4X was renamed to bZ and gained a substantially more powerful all-wheel-drive setup and a longer-range battery option.
For buyers, the practical effect is that the 2027 model is a known quantity: same trim walk, same charging hardware, same driving experience as the 2026 version.
Range and Battery Options
The 2027 bZ is offered with two battery sizes — a 57.7-kWh pack on the entry front-wheel-drive model and a 74.7-kWh pack on the rest of the lineup. Manufacturer-estimated ranges break down like this:
| Model | Battery | Est. range | Total system horsepower |
|---|---|---|---|
| XLE FWD | 57.7 kWh | 236 miles | 165 hp |
| XLE FWD Plus | 74.7 kWh | 314 miles | 221 hp |
| XLE AWD | 74.7 kWh | 288 miles | 338 hp |
| Limited FWD | 74.7 kWh | 299 miles | 221 hp |
| Limited AWD | 74.7 kWh | 278–299 miles | 338 hp |
Two things stand out. First, the XLE FWD Plus is the range champion at a manufacturer-estimated 314 miles — more than some larger, more expensive EVs. Second, the all-wheel-drive models trade a little range for a lot of power, jumping from around 221 hp to 338 hp total system output.
Power and How It Drives
Front-wheel-drive bZ models produce either 165 hp in the base XLE or 221 hp in the XLE FWD Plus and Limited FWD. All-wheel-drive versions deliver up to 338 hp, which makes the bZ one of the quicker compact electric SUVs in its price bracket and gives it confident passing power. The dual-motor setup also gives it the traction advantage that matters in rain, snow and gravel driveways.
Charging: NACS, Plug & Charge and Preconditioning
Every 2027 bZ comes with a NACS port, which means access to most DC fast charging stations in the United States without an adapter. Toyota quotes a 10% to 80% DC fast-charge time of roughly 30 minutes under ideal conditions, and the SUV supports Plug & Charge so billing starts automatically at compatible networks. Battery preconditioning is standard too, which helps the pack accept a faster charge in cold weather — a detail that matters more than peak charging figures for anyone who road-trips in winter.
At home, the included dual-voltage charging cable covers both a standard outlet and a 240-volt setup, and the onboard charger is quick enough to refill the pack overnight.
Grades, Interior and Technology
The lineup is simple: XLE, XLE Plus and Limited, each available in front- or all-wheel drive. Standard equipment across the range includes a 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen, wireless smartphone mirroring, SofTex-trimmed seating, customizable ambient interior lighting and dual-zone climate control. The Limited adds the premium touches — heated and ventilated front seats and the more powerful audio system.
Space is practical for a family of four: 42.1 inches of front legroom, 35.3 inches in the second row, and 27.7 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the rear seats, expanding to 56.9 cubic feet with the second row folded.
Safety: Toyota Safety Sense 3.0
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is standard on every 2027 bZ. The suite bundles adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, road sign assist and automatic high beams — the same hardware that has helped Toyota’s recent models score well in independent testing.
2027 bZ Price and Release Date
The 2027 Toyota bZ starts at $34,980 for the XLE front-wheel-drive model, excluding the dealer processing and handling fee. That keeps it among the most affordable EVs on sale in the US, in the same conversation as the Nissan Leaf, Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Chevrolet Bolt. Toyota says the first 2027 bZ models were expected to reach dealerships in September 2026.
Where It Sits in Toyota’s EV Lineup
The bZ is no longer alone. Toyota now sells three fully electric SUVs in the United States: the bZ, the smaller and more style-led C-HR, and the bZ Woodland, an off-road-flavoured variant with more ground clearance, all-terrain tires and extra cargo space that starts at $45,300. If you want maximum electric range for the money, the bZ is the value pick. If you need to leave the pavement, the Woodland is the one to look at. For buyers who want three rows and a fully electric drivetrain, the 2027 Toyota Highlander is the next step up — while the 2027 RAV4 remains the electrified option for drivers who are not ready to go fully electric.
Sales and Market Context
Since the bZ4X became the bZ, the model has quietly become Toyota’s best-selling EV. Industry reporting through the third quarter of 2026 put cumulative US sales at close to 25,000 units, with the bZ ranking among the four most popular EVs in the country behind the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 and the Hyundai IONIQ 5. For a Toyota that once took a cautious approach to battery-electric vehicles, that is a meaningful change in tone.
Warranty and Ownership
Toyota’s standard coverage applies to the 2027 bZ: 36 months or 36,000 miles of basic warranty, 60 months or 60,000 miles on the powertrain, and 8 years or 100,000 miles on the electric vehicle driving components, including the traction battery. As with any EV, the battery warranty is the figure that matters most for resale value, and Toyota’s terms are in line with the segment.
Should You Buy the 2027 bZ?
If you want a compact electric SUV with a long range, a straightforward grade structure and Toyota’s dealer and service network behind it, the 2027 bZ is one of the easiest EVs to recommend. The XLE FWD Plus is the sweet spot for range, while the AWD Limited is the pick for drivers who want the 338-hp setup and the extra equipment.
The main argument for waiting is that nothing changed this year, which means bargains may show up on remaining 2026 inventory. The main argument for buying now is that the bZ’s combination of price, range and charging access is already competitive — and the model year refresh that mattered has already happened.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Toyota bZ the same car as the bZ4X?
Yes. The bZ is the renamed bZ4X. Toyota shortened the badge with the 2026 refresh and kept the name for 2027, along with the upgraded powertrain, longer-range battery option and NACS charging port.
How much range does the 2027 bZ have?
Manufacturer estimates range from 236 miles in the base XLE front-wheel-drive model to 314 miles in the XLE FWD Plus with the 74.7-kWh battery. All-wheel-drive versions are rated between 278 and 299 miles depending on grade.
How long does the 2027 bZ take to charge?
Toyota quotes approximately 30 minutes to go from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger under ideal conditions. At home, an overnight charge on a 240-volt supply is enough for most drivers’ daily use.
The Bottom Line
The 2027 Toyota bZ is a carryover model year for a car that was thoroughly reworked a year ago, and that is fine: the current package delivers up to 314 miles of estimated range, standard NACS charging, a genuinely usable cabin and a starting price under $35,000. For shoppers who want electric range without electric-vehicle drama, it remains one of the most sensible choices in the segment.
