Toyota’s new bZ electric SUV is nearly outselling the Prius this year. With an extra $3,000 off if you trade in your old EV in California, it might be worth checking out.
Toyota wants you to upgrade to its new bZ electric SUV
After introducing the 2026 bZ, which dropped the former bZ4X name and received upgrades in just about every way, Toyota’s electric SUV has suddenly become one of America’s most popular EVs.
To make it even more tempting, Toyota is offering a $3,000 conquest cash offer this month toward the purchase of a new bZ if you trade in an old competitive EV.
The deal is available in California for owners of a 2020 to 2023 model year Tesla Model Y or Model 3, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen ID.4, Kia EV6, or Nissan Leaf.
While it looks like the offer is only in California, Toyota is offering similar deals in other regions. Other current offers include 0% APR financing for 72 months and leases as low as $379 per month (36 months with $3,999 due at signing).
Toyota’s new offers arrive days after California launched the new MyFirstEV program offering first-time electric car buyers a $3,500 rebate.
In the first half of the year, the bZ was the fourth best-selling EV in the US, trailing only the Hyundai IONIQ 5, Tesla Model 3, and Model Y.
Toyota sold over 17,500 bZs through June, nearly double the amount it sold in the same period in 2025. It’s also almost as much as the brand’s iconic Prius hybrid (19,518).
Why is it suddenly so popular? Toyota improved its electric SUV in the areas that matter the most to drivers.
2026 Toyota bZ (Source: Toyota)
The 2026 bZ now offers an EPA-estimated driving range up to 314 miles, a 25% improvement from the outgoing bZ4X. It also has a native NACS port, enabling drivers to access Tesla Superchargers without an adaptor.
With DC fast charging speeds of up to 150 kW, Toyota’s electric SUV can recharge from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes.
2026 Toyota bZ interior (Source: Toyota)
One of the biggest complaints from current drivers was the poor charging performance in cold temperatures. Toyota added a new battery preconditioning feature that automatically heats the battery to reduce charging times.
The upgrades extend to the interior with Toyota’s upgraded infotainment system, which includes a larger 14″ center touchscreen display.
2026 Toyota bZ infotainment display (Source: Toyota)
Physical buttons for climate control, media, and other functions are still found under the infotainment and on the steering wheel.
Other standard features include two Qi wireless phone chargers, a 7″ driver cluster, heated front seats, and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0.
2026 Toyota bZ trimBatteryRangeStarting Price*XLE FWD57.7 kWh236 miles$34,900XLE FWD Plus74.7 kWh314 miles$37,900XLE AWD74.7 kWh288 miles$39,900Limited FWD74.7 kWh299 miles$43,300Limited AWD74.7 kWh278 miles$45,3002026 Toyota bZ prices and range by trim (*excluding $1,450 DPH fee)
With prices starting at just $34,900, it also helps that the 2026 Toyota bZ is among the most affordable EVs in the US. That’s for the base XLE FWD model with a driving range of 236 miles. Upgrading to the XLE FWD Plus, with 314 miles of range, costs just $3,000 more at $37,900.
Toyota now offers three electric SUVs, including the smaller C-HR and slightly bigger, more rugged bZ Woodland.
With the new models arriving at dealerships, will they see the same demand? We will find out shortly. Through June, Toyota sold 3,748 C-HR and 554 bZ Woodland EVs.
Toyota’s current offers run until August 3, 2026. You can use the links below to see local offers and find available vehicles at a dealership near you.
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