Toyota Debuts $45,300 2026 bZ Woodland EV and Secures Reverse Import Approval
Toyota will release the 2026 bZ Woodland electric SUV next March, featuring dual-motor AWD, 375 hp, 281 miles range and a 74.7-kWh battery for $45,300 starting MSRP. Japan’s Land Ministry will accept US compliance documents, enabling imports of Camry, Highlander and Tundra built at Kentucky, Indiana and Texas plants.
1. Toyota Introduces bZ Woodland Electric SUV
Toyota announced the 2026 bZ Woodland, a rugged battery-electric SUV with dual-motor all-wheel drive delivering 375 horsepower and up to 281 miles of EPA-estimated range. It offers 8.4 inches of ground clearance, 3,500 pounds of towing capacity, a 74.7-kWh battery pack and standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 driver-assistance features, launching at a $45,300 starting MSRP in U.S. showrooms in March 2026.
2. Japan Streamlines Safety Approval for US Vehicles
Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will eliminate additional domestic crash testing and instead approve US-built vehicles by reviewing their compliance documentation. Certified models will receive a label and an inspection entry, expediting reverse imports of vehicles manufactured in the United States.
3. Planned Reverse Imports by Toyota
Toyota is evaluating imports of its US-made Camry sedan, Highlander three-row SUV and Tundra pickup, produced in Kentucky, Indiana and Texas respectively. The Camry and Highlander will return to the Japanese market after discontinuations in 2023 and 2007, with distribution channels and pricing still under review.
4. Strategic and Market Implications
Streamlined certification opens a new sales channel for higher-margin US-built models, addressing the imbalance of just 18,624 US vehicles imported into Japan in 2025 versus 1.35 million Japanese cars exported to the US. This policy change could bolster Toyota’s revenue and diversify its global production footprint.