Toyota is moving forward with the launch of its new all-electric bZ Woodland SUV, with arrivals expected at U.S. dealerships next month.
Some background: The model was first announced back in May 2025, and it’s landing on schedule at a time when several automakers are slowing EV plans or reshaping launches as incentives, policy, and demand continue to shift.
The new bZ Woodland enters the market with a starting MSRP of $45,300
Offers up to 281 miles of EPA-estimated range (260 miles with all-terrain tires)
And comes with access to a fast-charging network through a built-in North American Charging System port.
Why this matters: This launch lines up with comments made earlier this month at NADA by Andrew Gilleland, senior vice president of automotive operations at Toyota Motor North America, who outlined how Toyota views the EV market right now.
Gilleland described EV adoption as steady but complex, saying that EVs remain “a very difficult economic model to make pencil,” adding that demand is “being driven, not by customers, but by politicians.”
Andrew Gilleland
Despite that stance: He made clear that Toyota is not backing away from electrification, but instead plans to continue to lean into a broader strategy that keeps hybrids, plug-ins, and battery EVs active side by side rather than committing fully to one path.
And that approach actually helps explain where the Woodland fits, because it really just adds another EV option to the lineup without signaling a major shift in direction or volume expectations.
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Between the lines, though: Pricing is likely to be one of the first conversations with shoppers.
At $45,300 to start, Car and Driver highlights that the Woodland enters the segment at a higher price point than some closely related competitors like the Subaru Trailseeker, which starts several thousand dollars lower.
For dealers: That doesn’t automatically make it a tough sell. Demand for pricier SUVs, especially with a nameplate like Toyota, is still there.
But it does mean dealerships should expect more informed shoppers arriving with side-by-side comparisons on range, price, and utility.
Looking ahead: Speaking about other upcoming launches at NADA, Gilleland emphasized careful planning and controlled rollouts as Toyota balances production capacity and demand across its portfolio.
Those comments were tied specifically to the next RAV4 launch, but they offer a clear signal for dealers, which is that they should expect a measured pace here as well rather than an aggressive high-volume push out of the gate.
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