Toyota bZ Woodland Review - Blown Away!

The Toyota bZ Woodland made a big impact on me. So much so – it’s shifted my perspective on EVs. In fact, I’m surprised this car slid onto the market so quietly… without much buzz or chatter. Because honestly, this is the most impactful new car I’ve driven this year.

The Toyota bZ Woodland (compared to gas cars)

If you’re trying to compare EVs to spirited, wonderful-sounding, internal combustion driver’s cars… you’re having an apples-to-oranges conversation. And that’s where a lot of the discussions get hard-headed on both sides.

However – when you’re putting the bZ Woodland up against comparably-priced, gas-consuming crossovers in the same segment – that becomes much more of an eye-opening, apples-to-apples conversation. Obviously, an EV is not gonna work for everyone. It’s your call whether it could work with your lifestyle & routine. But within the crossover realm…

The Toyota bZ Woodland does ‘efficient’ better than efficient crossovers… while simultaneously outpacing nearly ALL of them in performance & overall driving experience. It delivers a shocking amount of power, and it does-so with instant responsiveness. All while being effortlessly smooth, calming, & quiet. Almost zen-like. Hands down…

The Toyota bZ Woodland offers a better driving experience than nearly ALL modern gas-powered/hybrid crossovers in its segment & price-range. It’s more efficient than the efficient ones, faster than the fast ones, and smoother/quieter than the premium ones. The only internal-combustion competitor (IMO) that could give it a run for the money dynamically is the Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo. And that’s because it drives like the crossover version of a Miata.

The Toyota bZ Woodland (compared to other EVs)

This chassis is a joint collaboration between Toyota & Subaru – made in Japan. I appreciate that it’s made in Japan, as there’s (unofficially) more stringent & precise standards on the cars coming out of Japan, versus Japanese cars built in America/Mexico/etc. Subaru’s version of this model is called the Trailseeker, and I feel like the platform represents both brands well.

Here’s a big thing for me:

The Toyota bZ Woodland does not come across as another pretentious EV. It’s not some political statement, it doesn’t claim to save the world, and it’s not an iPhone on wheels. It’s just a well-styled electric vehicle with versatility & utility, coming from a car company (& leadership lineage) I greatly respect. And look – I know it sounds over-embellished to gush over a crossover. But for a car enthusiast like me, there’s something about the bZ Woodland that feels… like possibility & potential.

The Dunlop all-terrain tires & black body panels on the bZ Woodland…

Grabbed my curiosity & opened my mind a little bit. I actually tossed my bike rack on the roof, just cause I was excited to see how it’d look! The matte black accenting/cladding can be polarizing, & it boils down to personal taste. But please understand – if the body panels were body-color, you’d strip exactly what sets it apart. And carmakers ‘playing it safe’… is exactly the bigger problem here. I can acknowledge the touch of gimmick in the Woodland name, & the chunky black plastic trim. But my advice?? Let that go. Because if ‘the gimmick’ is an outdoor lifestyle EV… versus another sanitized lifeless appliance… I’ll take it! I like the black fenders & hood accenting!

Driving the bZ Woodland…

As I spent more time with the bZ Woodland, my interest didn’t fade. Rather, it heightened. Because in a landscape where most crossovers are plain vanilla – this one seems to low-key dare you a little bit. With its higher belt-line & lower roofline – is it even a crossover?? Or did we just get an AWD electric wagon with all-terrains?

Toyota knows how to make the perfect seat.

And even though Toyota & Subaru share the chassis, the interiors are distinct to each company. Honestly, the seats feel more Lexus than Toyota to me. And I believe the infotainment screen is the same screen used in my wife’s Lexus GX 550 Overtrail.

Typically – I’m not a fan of quiet cars that isolate you from the outside world.

But the bZ Woodland somehow does it differently. It flirts quiet refuge… with driving engagement. No, it’s not a sports car. And it doesn’t pull on the leash & beg you to drive it like one. But there’s a heightened sense of control & connection that comes from the silent, yet ultra-responsive performance.

The bZ Woodland is an EV with…

An impressive amount of cargo space, a good amount of range, and seemingly quick charging capacity. And it’s got enough built-in ruggedness to not run for the hand sanitizer at the first sight of dirt, snow, sand, or fresh air. The only thing I found weird, was the exposed front motor under the hood. For whatever reason, I expected there to be a finished-out frunk (like a Tesla, etc), so it caught me by surprise when there wasn’t one. Also – I could feel the overall weight of the vehicle/battery-pack on the suspension in certain instances (~4,500lb vehicle). But that was minor, and most likely imperceivable to drivers who aren’t looking for it.

“So, would I buy an EV from Toyota?”

Yes & here’s why: While buying an EV does come with a certain level of risks & unknowns… Toyota is known for standing behind their products (I’ve seen it in practice). And for building quality, long-lasting vehicles. Furthermore, Akio Toyoda has consistently been upfront, honest, & transparent about electric vehicles. And unlike other carmakers, Toyota did not cave to pressure & rush a half-baked fully-electric vehicle to market. Plus – Toyota has the backing of real dealerships & truly experienced technicians… not just ‘tech bros’. Customer service will no doubt be more efficient, more human, and less frustrating than Tesla. And all Combined, that gives me trust & peace of mind.