By
BRADLEY IGER of Edmunds
Once you’ve decided to buy an electric vehicle, the exciting but tricky part is choosing which one to get. For a growing number of car shoppers, an electric SUV makes the most sense for everyday life. The latest models have enough range to handle everyday driving and the occasional trek out of town without much of an issue. They’re also roomy for your family and have some innovative technology features. But which one to get? That’s where the Tesla Model Y and Toyota bZ come in. Tesla’s best-selling EV gets a round of updates for 2026 that include revised styling, a smoother ride and a more upscale cabin. But Toyota’s all-electric SUV shouldn’t be counted out. It has been thoroughly overhauled for 2026, and the result is a much more compelling proposition than the outgoing model. Edmunds’ experts put these two electric SUVs head-to-head to find out which one deserves a spot in your driveway.
Range and chargingFormerly known as the bZ4X, Toyota’s first all-electric SUV has been so extensively revised that it now carries a new name. Pleasingly, range has improved considerably. The front-wheel-drive version of the 2026 bZ can go up to 314 miles on a single charge, according to EPA estimates. Edmunds has verified that in its own independent testing, with a test bZ covering 331 miles, an impressive result for a small electric SUV. As with the bZ, different versions of the Model Y have varying range estimates. The longest comes from the Premium Rear-Wheel Drive, which can go an EPA-estimated 357 miles. Edmunds hasn’t range tested that Model Y version, but other tested Model Ys have matched their EPA estimates.Edmunds also tested the bZ and Model Y for charging speeds at a public fast-charging station. Both SUVs yielded similar results and could potentially add up to about 100 miles of range in 15 minutes. The Model Y is a bit more convenient to charge at Tesla’s nationwide network of Supercharger stations, however.Winner: Model Y
