The BZ4X - It Didn't Come B4. It's Not exciting, But Is It "Toyota Prius: TNG?"
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 พ.ค. 2023
- Toyota has been very reticent to bring a fully-electric vehicle to market, despite selling two very competent all-electric versions of its RAV4 EV crossover.
Now it's playing catch up to other automakers and has its first all-electric model to be built in a decade: the 2024 Toyota BZ4X, a car that's based on the same eTNGa platform as the Lexus 450e and Subaru Solterra.
But given Toyota's historical attitude toward electric vehicles and some pretty poor press coverage of this car's launch, is it really as bad as everyone says?
We take it out - and discover that for some drivers, it might be a smart choice.
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Presenters: Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield and Kate Walton-Elliott.
Editor, Colorist: Michael Horton
Art and Animation: Erin Carlie
Producer: Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield
© Transport Evolved LLC, 2023
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Music by: Notize - "Bring It Back"
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I just love it when you lean so far into your nerd world. Live long and prosper, y'all
Thank you. It seems that you're making your best to be kind to this compliance car...😉
Deliveries to non-CARB states contradicts being only for compliance.
@@john1701a It's a "compliance car" in spirit, for sure. Mr. Toyoda begrudgingly approved an EV because everyone else has one. Perhaps "peer pressure car" would be another way to say it.
Everything about the car from the name, looks, performance, features, and especially the charging curve, says that Toyoda had no intention of selling more than a handful of EVs before 2027, if ever. And as things stand, it will be a miracle if they do. They're gonna have to pull a bunch of batteries out of a magician's hat.
Poor Subaru just announced a big push to make four EV models by 2026. They say they'll get the batteries from Toyota. 😱 Oh dear!
@davidmenasco5743 Failing to point out anything it is actually compling with makes it a niche offering... which derails prior narratives. It's easy to see naysayers moving goal-posts.
@@davidmenasco5743 it certainly is a Compliance Car, even if only in spirit. Toyota has been so determined that Hydrogen is The Way that they have been blind to the growth of the BEV until it is now almost too late. It will take them a long time, possibly too long, to become competitive in the BEV marketplace. This car is a first step - in the wrong direction.
@@john1701a I don't know if you've noticed, the goal posts move like week by week in the EV space. That's how often Tesla updates the hardware and manufacturing processes of their cars.
The BZ4X would have been a great EV if it had been released in 2015. It still would have been a pretty good EV in 2019. Today, well, it's a good car but compared to other EVs there are some pretty big deficiencies. It's a nice commuter car. But a little pricey for that purpose.
It will suit some folks fine. But unless they can improve the charging curve a lot, it will sell in compliance car numbers. And that obviously was the intent for this car from day one.
24:30 Despite living in the mid-Atlantic (PA), I used my rear wiper when I had one, I live in the suburbs. When I had what I realized much later was a seizure, I totaled my car, my new vehicle didn’t have a rear wiper and I missed it on the occasion that I needed it.
My local dealer is selling these at invoice. Can't seem to get rid of them. It is very difficult to recommend this over the much more capable, lower cost Model Y.
Does anyone else think that this color scheme on the BZ4X looks like a later era stormtrooper helmet? Thanks as always for the insightful reviews.
That black & white coloring stirs thought of sci-fi series shuttlecraft... Star Trek... V... or an actual shuttle, like Challenger.
Yes, the white with those black contrast panels definitely makes it look like a storm trooper! So red makes it one of the imperial guard. And I guess my all black one is Vader?
OMG. I couldn't put my finger on why it looked so .... mean .... NOW it clicks. Yep, definite late era Stormtrooper coming at you in your rearview mirror.
@@sforoushani1 That's what I pointed out with mine on May the 4th. :)
The car review videos are my favs. Yay! Happy Friday to the team!
What I find super frustrating with the different battery packs is the North American AWD Bz4X is the only one with the slower charging CATL battery. The European AWD version has the same Panasonic battery. I have never seen the AWD Bz4X charge faster than around 60 kW, 30-40 kW being more typical. And Toyota won't let people order exactly what they want, instead only sending allocated cars to dealerships, so Maine was never going to get a FWD version.
And thank you for recognizing that this car is a really an easy transition for Toyota owners looking to dip a toe into the EV world, especially those looking for a reliable car to get from point a to b. That is why I ended up getting my Bz4X last fall, and in some ways, I really like it. Unfortunately, I also thought it could get me from point a to b even when 600-900 miles away, like my 13 year old Prius can, and expected slow but tolerable charging. Then I found that the car throttles fast charging after 2 fast charge cycles (low to 80%) within 24 hours, an issue neither dealership in my area was aware of until we brought it to their attention. Toyota supposedly has an update coming, according to other youtubers, but I have never seen anything official from Toyota.
The hilarious and quirky/informal intro to this video and vehicle was awesome. Was fascinated to learn about the Tesla-powered RAV4 EV gen 2. Also: awesome prompt for the comment feature!
I've had a 2014 RAV4 EV since I bought it off-lease in 2017, and other than EVERY SINGLE TESLA PART having been replaced, I really love the vehicle.
The drivetrain/electronics/battery is based on start-of-production Model S bits -- though only the DC-DC Converter and the Onboard AC Charger are physically interchangeable. And all the reliability and durability ills of the early Model S have befallen me. But, it's a GREAT orphan EV.
HEY.. the 1701 A through E worked was convenient, had lots of space, great reliability and got trillions of miles per ounce of Dilithium.
Don't forget about 1701 G
I'm going to start working "aggressively fine" into conversation. Great review video!
Living in the UK with salt spreading for basically 4-5 months of the year, I can't imagine anyone coping without a rear wiper. Even a high faux-by-four with a sloped back to run rain water down it is going to get filthy, even on short city commutes.
Thanks for the review.
I traded my Prius in for a Leaf 64 kwH (for the bi-directional charging) and it sounds to me as if you're reviewing the Leaf, especially the idea that it mustn't intimidate ICE drivers.
I'd have considered an ePrius if one had been available last year and had V2X, but your review confirms that a Model Y is probably the car for me, when the time comes to 'upgrade'.
One of my favourite things about TE is that you guys are all huge Star Trek dorks. :3
Finally, I feel like someone is speaking my language.
I love their tech themed jewelry. I'm not sure what Nikki's ear-rings were, but I like Kate's cassette tapes. In past videos she has worn various IC packages. Cute. 🙂
In the UK with 14 degs C I’m already averaging 4.6 mi/kWh in my Niro EV. In fact 4.8 the last few days.
3.7 mi/kWh is what my average has climbed up to as the weather warms. I saw 4.9 mi/kWh on a 7-mile drive last night, returning home from running errands.
Do you drive a BZ4x?
@@RyanWilliams222 Yes, an AWD Limited.
@@john1701a How do you like it? Anything that you particularly love or hate?
@@RyanWilliams222 It has been awesome. I got to drive it in a blizzard, giving the AWD and X-Mode a run for its money. The IR heater (radiant for legs) is awesome. Obviously, it has more power than my Prius Prime did. The extra height for cargo is really nice too. There's nothing I hate, if you disregard the obsession enthusiasts have about range and DC charging speed. Both easily fulfill my needs. I will be getting a hitch for it on Thursday, so we'll be able to carry 4 bikes... just in time for the upcoming holiday weekend.
@@john1701a Nice! I just realized you are the same person I was talking about DC charging speed with in the other thread. 😂
Anyway, I’m glad you like it and that you went all electric! My wife drives a Prius Prime and we hope to switch her to an all-electric someday, too. 👍🏼
Having purchased first-year rollouts of gen-1, gen-2, gen-3, PHV and Prime models of Prius, then getting a bZ4X, there is no doubt about it being TNG.
TNG = Touch 'n Go?(if this carries on - I'm going to start inventing my own acronyms)
@@markplain2555 The Next Generation
You are heroes! Love the content and speaking over the walk around. Is awsome perhaps a chiron or titles telling us what we are seeing
Yeah grabby breaks. I live on a steep hill that gets black ice. I fear they will grab and send me into somebody's living room.
Battery Percentage displayed is coming in the software update, which just started roll out in Japan. An owner from Sweden shared photos of his update too. We should be getting it here (US) in June.
Unbelievable that it was not standard. I am actually miffed that every morning I have to press a button on my Kona to show battery percentage. It is more important than the "Guessometer" (useless to me) and a visual bars of percentage use.Only 2 gauges are important in an EV - Speedo and Battery Percentage.
@markplain2555 The thought was likely that it would promote use of their app, since % is available on it along with other info. Think about how dominant analogs displays have been for decades, both for speedometer & fuel. For ordinary consumers, that level of accuracy is enough. ODB-II has % available; so for detail-oriented enthusiasts, it can be seen real-time already. Apps like ABRP can read & display that data too.
You got to take it in to et updated or do they actually have legit OTA updates working? Alot of the OEMs say they do OTA but their definition of that is to take it into the dealer for the update
@bangbangbowman284 It may be take in for the sake of ensuring their dealer service departments are setup.
@@bangbangbowman284 according to a Japanese language website, and what murmurs I can find on forums from people in Europe, it has to be brought in to the dealership service department. I haven't heard anything about the update hitting the US in June either. If I listen to Toyota, there is absolutely nothing wrong to fix on my Bz4X, and it is operating as designed.
18:45 The phone compartment needs a fan too. Phones generate heat, charging phones generate more, wireless charging (as the garage in Nikki’s townhouse will attest) generates more.
Being able to charge your phone while keeping it out of sight while driving or if you leave your phone in the car (like while kayaking) is nice, it would have been great if they thought it out more (like cooling and size)
Such a good point! I can't think of any cars with a fan in the phone compartment.... anyone know of any?
ALL electric vehicles *should* have a directly heated windshield defroster! It uses just a few hundred watts, and has virtually *no* effect on the range.
Coasting is a much more efficient way to drive, and it should also be available on every EV.
This vehicle just OOOOOZES with overwrought styling and feels to me like they *want* to put people off?
They do want to put people off. It’s being built in low volume.
The styling plus high price, uncompetitive range and charging speeds will keep lines of people from camping out to get on years long waiting lists.
Thank you for an excellent review of the Toyota BiZzy Forks. I currently drive a 2nd gen Prius (2007) and if I were planning on ICE for my next car there is a high probability that it would be a Prius. That said, I am determined that my next car will be a BEV and the BiZzy Forks sits at the bottom of the list - right above the Dummer EV and other huge, expensive wastes of resources. On top of being not quite ugly (there are WORSE new cars out there) it also has inherited the worst features of the Prius. I get it, the BiZzy Forks, like the Prius, was designed to drive like the typical automatic lead-sled ICE car that it's anticipated new owner will be coming from. Being a tech enthusiast, I expect my new BEV to be and EV, not a battery powered ICE vehicle. Add to that a not low price for its class and really mediocre range for a new EV and you get a great big NO from me. 🙁
A production note for this video: the sound is way low and the level was rather variable from low to lower. I had to turn the gain way up to hear the dialog. Whenever the video was interrupted by an ad, the ad audio blasted me out. Not Good! Please bring the audio level up closer to the ad levels so we don't get blasted out. I understand that there was a fair amount of background noise, but just having the audio at a lower level is NOT a viable compensation for that flaw. Please don't do this to us again. Please!
It is sad seeing Toyota being a decade(?) behind.
Like the review but Toyota is not getting my money anytime soon
They lost me in 2016 when a 30kWh Nissan Leaf stepped in to my life
I have the Subaru version of this car, and love it. The issues I think you had with the hesitation in acceleration may be due to it only being front drive, as the Solterra is all wheel drive. The handling in the AWD must be greatly improved too as my car takes a corner BETTER than I would expect. Everyone that has ridden in the car has been impressed by the acceleration, handling, comfort and build quality. I knew going in that it wouldn't have that great of a range and that fast of charging, but this is not our only car, so it does exactly what we need it to. I charge it at home and drive it around, then charge it again at night. It is exactly as you stated, for commuting, going to the grocery, running errands, etc. It having a high ride height and AWD makes it great for going to visit family that live on a country road. I agree that buying the FWD version of this car is not that great of a deal, but the AWD version or the Subaru (only comes in AWD in USA), I feel are a great deal (except for maybe being ineligible for the tax credit).
I have the Subaru version as well and agree with everything you said. It seems almost required on the internet to bash this vehicle. Are people not doing their research and understanding the limitations before they buy it? The ev media seems obsessed with road trips.
how does the latest software update help with your range and charging?
@@Dun_Der I don't have the update yet as I am in the US. They haven't given us a date on it yet.
Thank you for that review. You are thee first ones I have seen that haven’t just written it off out of hand as a terrible excuse for a car
Reviews created for enthusiasts will appeal to enthusiasts. Notice how they concluded this review saying how 4X would appeal to Camry owners, a very different audience from those who place a high priority on range, power and speed.
Well it looks like they not only made a compliance car but also it's a city car. Thanks for the review. Not worth the cost.
My previous car was a Prius, and I don’t miss the “ring down to the engine room” acceleration.
I liked my Prius and there are soooo many similarities here …it does what it says on the box !!
Nice glasses also Kate
Excellent review
Thanks to you both for an even-handed logical review. I always appreciate your work.
One gets the impression that this is a somewhat lackadaisical second effort aimed down-market but at $50G in the US it becomes $65G CDA, a little high for what it is. Think I'll just stick with my Can Am Spyder with the odd taxi here and there in winter.
Joys of Retirement Inc. is alive and well.
Just for the record were I to buy another vehicle it would definitely be all-electric and definitely not a Tesla. A Lucid would be nice but the sticker shock would kill me. Rather something further upscale from this baby or maybe a European offering. Vundervagen's offering looks pretty good at first glance.
I'd consider something from the UK but only if it says on the tin "NOT wired by Lucas!" I've owned two big Healeys y'know. 🤣
Cheers from Ottawa, ON
It's like our '10 Prius. The new Prius will blow it's doors off. Too bad. They still don't really want to sell EV's.
I have a friend with the Subaru version of this. She loves it. But I am not as impressed. I think it is good at being a Subaru, great ground clearance, snow mode, x drive. But as a EV it feels very dated, like this should have been a 2019 model. The lack of one pedel drive, bad range, bad efficiency, and slow charging for it's price point works be a deal breaker for me. But their point for it being around town car, especially in bad weather is a good car. On Toyota defense, some of their choices could be in order to improve reliability. Or they could be for cost savings and just bring late to the EV game.
I'm enjoying the editing style with voice overs on slow panning, tracking and zooming around the interior and exterior. It's rather calming and allows focus on the detail instead of having a reviewer leaping around over-enthusiastically on cam. Keep it up. 🙂
As for the one-pedal driving, I do find this a facepalm moment. The i3 had this sorted in 2013 and I've been driving one since 2017, all the blending with the friction break when the battery is full or very cold is seemless [and BMW's recent EVs will be even more refined] - in city driving I barely touch the brake pedal as the anticipation has become tacit and automatic. Of course the fault in the i3 is the other way round - it doesn't have a coasting mode for highway driving.
It's hardly rocket science now with so much experience across the different OEMs to do both and let the driver decide their preferred mode and of course set it as the default. VW committed the same error with the ID range, too frightened of scaring new-to-EV drivers with these 'new' concepts.
Me too! It gives the video a really finished & professional feel.
22:05 - That giant slab in back with just two USB-C plugs looks so odd. Like it *SHOULD* have rear-zone HVAC controls, or pop-down cup holders, or _something_ other than just two USB-C plugs…
Yay! Finally a Busy Forks review!
there are still a couple of hundred first gen rav 4 EVs on the road. I know there are 6 in Canada. One, I used to own, is a couple of blocks from me here in Victoria, one on Salt Spring Island, one near Duncan another on Thetis Island, one in Langley and another in Halifax. The one in Duncan is running on a Leaf battery pack.
This isn’t better than a model y in any way. If it were half the price it would be very compelling. Worried for Toyota for sure.
That USB-A works great for a micro-flashdrive, the kind that only stick out a few millimeters. I use it for my large music collection.
The fifty-ish thousand price point is hard to get around. My very-fun-to-drive AWD Mach-E Premium was $58K plus I got a $7,500 tax credit. I charges faster, has more range, definitely more pickup oh and power adjustable passenger seats as long as we are counting. But hey, it is better than a Mazda CX-30 at least.
The road noise in the background was lulling me to sleep fyi 😉. Also, I would have loved if you had posted some of the numbers you cited to the screen as you were discussing the specs. Love your stuff gals.
You should test / review the Solterra variant. I think your feedback about the car being very subdued is a Toyota thing - the Solterra can really take off when you want it to. This is partly due to being AWD but also Subaru gives you 3 driving modes - normal, eco, and power (this is what you want for the fun drives). The Bz4x gives you only normal and eco - so basically dull, and duller. The Solterra also solves your rear wiper problem - they give you a full-time digital rear view mirror to see out the back when your rear window gets too dirty to see out of. This adds a second rear camera that sits right next to the backup camera. This also comes in handy when you have tall passengers or a fully loaded cargo area and can't see through the car out the back window with the regular rear view mirror.
My complements to the video team who did the intro. Beautifully done.
I think that engine bay is reminiscent of Toyotas perspective of EV’s not really caring for it. I mean compare the interior of the BMW i3 to this car. Also keep in mind the i3 was BMW’s first EV and they knocked the interior out of the park and is still light years ahead. There was a lot more care and thought put in. Again I don’t think Toyotas perspective has changed of EV’s and this vehicle shows that everywhere.
Thank you so much for being able to review this vehicle.
I have one of the second generation Toyota RAV4 EVs and I'm very disappointed with Toyota's lack of ability to support EVs. Despite having a large Prius market and potentially a large service expertise, I discovered that Toyota's expertise is completely missing.
Toyota's continuing back and forth with their hydrogen love affair leaves me, and many others, doubting their commitment to BEVs.
They've missed the opportunity in many respects. They should have built upon their previous compliance car experience and could have taken a large consumer base that has purchased Tesla model Ys and other manufacturing BEVs.
Until they can demonstrate a full and consistent commitment to BEVs, I continue to advise would be BEV purchasers to look at other manufacturers...
Since we view this in Europe too... In Europe, the AWD version of Bz4x has the same battery as the 2WD, with it's slightly faster charging. Also, you haven't the latest software update. My bz4x shows the percentage.
Toyota kicking themselves for selling their share in Tesla before their meteoric stock rise.
The face of that vehicle. It looks like it's disgusted that it has to be out and about doing it's thing.
When shopping for EVs, you want to know not only what a model does well, but what it *doesn't* do well. Right now, we all want to promote adoption and combat FUD, but I think that often has the side effect of every review of a car to be glowing. If they're not, viewers get very angry and accuse them of not being partial, or worse, being in bed with fossil fuels... but the thing is, we *need* that information, otherwise you're choosing between 25 models of cars that "are perfect!" and totally unprepared for what you might need to get used to/look after, etc. I found finding information about what people *didn't* like about their EVs to be very, very dear in my research in picking out our first EV purchase later this year....
Which is why I love this channel's reviews/first looks. They're always honest, but fair. This video does a great job of pointing out why this car might be perfect for some buyers, and why others may have better fit options out there, and was helpful for me as a future EV buyer. I hope they are able to keep doing what they do while keeping everyone paid & safe, because I do love this stuff. :)
The battery pack difference is the result of different suppliers. CATL provides the one with 72.8 kWh capacity. It behaves different, because it is different. We still don't know which chemistry either. One would assume NMC, but there are some LFP traits. Whatever the case, coming from CATL makes it easy to respond to a rise in demand for the AWD model later.
If Toyota Dealer will sell you one. My dad tried to ordered a Prius Prime plug in hybrid last year. He liked the 2006 Prius we gave him when my wife got her 2018 Tesla Model 3. But the Prius was getting a little long in the tooth after 16 years and 235,000 miles. It was a great car. So he was looking for a replacement. We tried to convince him to get a Tesla. At 83 he said was his last car. So he went down to the dealer and ordered a Prius Prime. After a few months, the dealer informed him they did him a favor and canceled the order because it would take a long time to get. So come on down, we will fix you up with a new car. He hemmed and hawed s couple months. Then out the blue he announced he was getting a Model Y next week🤨
Particularly compared to the new Prius, this feels like Toyota phoned it in. There is literally no superlative here that would make it a household name like the Prius.
This should've come with the level of effort invested in the new Prius.
Awesome review team, love Michael’s cameos, excellent production values.
You’re making direct threats against our staff. This is unacceptable.
@@markplott4820Everyone needs to report this comment. Unacceptable.
My experience with Toyota has been that they have durability and reliability that far surpasses any other maker at the expense of being just average for driving experience. As a mechanic I prefer quality over performance.
I think you forgot to mention the Software limits you to 2 DC "Fast" charging sessions per 24 hour period. Granted due to its seriously lack luster DC charging, I doubt many people dare take it any farther than 400 miles on any given day.
My husband and I did, in part because our other cars were both non-driveable when he needed to get me and the kids, 600 miles away. We expected slow but useable. A 14-16 hour drive. It took 23 hours. Not a good way to discover this limitation in my brand new car.
That limitation has been raised with the latest software update, from 2 to 4 before it throttles.
It may be a tall body, but the limited off-street driving you showed strongly indicates that it is not a Next Gen LandCruiser either!
I am not encouraged to try one.
I drove mine through blizzard conditions. No slipping at all. Used X-Mode to climb our snow covered driveway. The AWD worked great!
Thanks for the review. I'm still waiting for some company to make a properly affordable and cool EV. Oh well.
Are any car designs cool anymore? There seems to be no design talent atm.
My wife and I have a 2013 Rav4 (Tesla). so far it's been great as a commuter car. However, no DC fast charge which meant when my wife bought it she had to drive from Seattle to Portland and it took all day.
Yes! The lack of DC fast charging on that 2nd Gen RAV4 EV is a serious handicap. I have a pile of Tesla components on the bench and I'm looking, in conjunction with another RAV4 EV owner on creating a CCS rapid DC charging solution...
Nice work. Thanks to the TEN team.
Nice review, and yes, all hatch type vehicles should have a rear wiper 👍
Is the rear window raked? I don't of any car with a slanted rear window with a wiper. i suspect it's not considered needed with the airflow -or- it wouldn't work well in the airstream. I've only seen rear wipers on vertical rear windows and some with some slope but under a "spoiler".
It doesn’t even do “what it says on the tin” though. It has both rapid-gate and cold-gate.
It can’t meet even the meager promised driving range or charging speeds even in very mild weather.
Then, as soon as the weather gets cold, both the driving range and the charging speeds plummet to horrific levels. In winter, you will be paying $50K for a Chevy Bolt-like charging experience on road trips (but with less range) or else paying $50K to just drive around town while still needing a second vehicle for road trips.
The range sucks because you are driving it too fast. Toyota wants you to drive slowly, as evidenced by multiple consecutive DCFC session power throttling.
Battery pack specs stink because Toyota is getting the dregs of cell production, not having the forethought to sign cell contracts far enough in advance of production.
Kyle Conner stated that a car (EV) shouldn’t limit your driving. You should just plug-in and just drive it like a normal car, but EV’s are quirky, weird, and not easy to use. The BZ4X is easy to use. The BZ4X is conventional that you don’t require an instructional video or manual to figure it out unlike a Tesla. You don’t need a PhD to drive this BZ4X. You have buttons upfront. You don’t have to use menu’s to navigate down to controls that you need to use the basics.
OMG!! What is that panel gap (on purpose by the looks of it) between bonnet and headlights… what an eyesore!! 😳😳. Good review as always.
It compliments the driving lights. That long LED is emphasized by the contrast.
@@john1701a is it?? Looks bizarre to me
I live in dusty NYC and in the mid seasons when temperatures vary moisture often covers the rear windows not having a rear wiper is just stupid and cheap. Hurrah to NIRO, and the soon to be late Bolt
I'm regularly seeing one of these B-Zeds locally here on the road and I've now seen one up close at NYAS (any operational deficiencies notwithstanding) I definitely like the looks. it's no "swoopy" 5th Gen Prius "Class F Shuttlecraft" but then what is...?
That was a really long way of saying "bad car". Seriously, thank you for that detailed review and the very straightforward but unstated conclusion. I get you folks don't want to get too harsh on Toyota as they finally start getting into evs in this generation of vehicles, but pretty clear this is over priced junk.
It was so long that it really needed chapters to help many of us get through it.
The car is not "junk." Maybe underwhelming in some respects but nowhere did I get the notion that it was "junk."
@Benjamin Smith sounded like overpriced junk to me, politely said and indirect, but that was the message I got. In particular sounds like better similar vehicles at better prices exist for every use.
Maybe I’m joking, but the lack of a rear wiper may have people worried when they see your vehicle will not your vehicle but any vehicle without a windscreen wiper on the back that’s dangerous. I will agree more vehicles will not going to be behind you where you can’t see them, I agree, 😆 😆 and I do love your reviews and critiques as they are very accurate and very helpful
This feels more like Toyota compliance EV version 2. "Hey, look at us. We made an EV. We're serious about EVs." Not really.
"Meh" is the main think that comes to mind when I look at the BZ4X.
Just saw on of these on the road in all black… looks better in person
You’re not wrong.
Wait just a gosh darn minute: for the long wheelbase, the Mach-E's turning circle isn't at all bad. I find it to be pretty maneuverable for its size, and have been impressed with it more than once. I do have a Premium, and, with the different wheels/suspension of the GTPE, maybe it's a bit different?
In any case, I wouldn't call it "terrible." :-) I did sit in the BZ4x at the car show and I was . . . less than impressed with the interior. Combine that with all of the reports of exceptionally slow charging and middling range, and this thing seems like a non-starter. I was pretty unimpressed with the Subaru and Lexus versions of this vehicle too. I honestly didn't like the look and feel of the interior, and thought it felt kind of . . . not all the way there. It's hard to quantify.
So just sacking that terrible CEO has not yet fixed Toyotas' problems. I seriously do not think at this point Toyota will survive the next 5 years before becoming a Chinese brand name.
This was put together under his watch and the lack of enthusiasm shows.
Just call it the “Busy Forks”😂
@@arthurmarsch6211 or BiZzy Forks. 😁
A Japanese company would rather go bust, than let a Chinese ownership. Regardless of international auto manufacturing, the Japanese hate the Chinese and vice versa .
One of the problems is that Akio Toyoda was not shown the door, he was kicked upstairs to Chairman.
Waiting for the Equinox review. This BZ4x seems like it's not quite a compliance car, but not very competitive either for how late it came out. The mess "under the bonnet" indicates a lack of refinement/rush job/first attempt in a segment that already has a number of competitors. Tesla is well ahead. The Hyundai/Kia perform much better. The Mustang too. And you know Ford is working to optimize their design, and the factory(Blue Oval) to build it. 5 years ago, this might have been something, but now? Also, to make all that optimizing worth the effort, you need volume, but to get volume, you need either something customers love, or think is a great value. With this, it's just OK, but if they lower the price enough for it to be a great value, they will lose a lot of money. My brother bought a Bolt at just the right moment a couple years ago and at very low price, and regrets not buying 2 of them.
ID4 AWD also has electrically heated front windshield. My one hesitation would be replacement cost. Does anyone know if they cost significantly more than a regular windshield?
Get insurance that covers windshield replacement.
Range for mileage is an issue. I live next to semi-rural and everything is 7 to 14 miles away. 208 miles comes up faster than one would think. I would be constantly charging it.
Very good review
I am a Toyota fan boy ever since i inherited my mother's Corolla. Iwas disappointed to see they did not embrace full electric cars until recent. Sadly I am more a Hyundai/Kia fan after getting behind the wheel of an Ionic 5. I still have hope for Toyota for sentimental reasons.
TERRIBLE quality control at the factory.....how did nobody notice they left the front wings in primer .......!?
Love the pretty country you test drive in! I will be curious to see what you think of the Subaru version. Hoping Subie does it better, as this sounds pretty meh. 😐
The areas of Oregon outside of the Portland metro area are really beautiful in Spring/early Summer.
Prius are used most by taxi services here in the Seattle area. I can't say I'm a fan of Toyota, even as someone who traded in their 7yo hybrid Camry on the first gen Kia Soul EV. I'm also not a fan of the many reckless Prii drivers on our roads. However, I'm disappointed in this first real EV alternative from Toyota. My ‘22 Kia Niro EV gets roughly 300 miles per full charge so I am surprised that Toyota lacks on that front as having it replace all their hybrids on the road would be a step forward.
Thanks!
My 23 Bolt gets about 3.7miles/kWh at around 65-70mph. I regularly get 5+ driving around town... That efficiency, 3 driving around town, is absolutely miserable...
😂😂😂 I think people were passing the car because it hurts their eyes! 🎉🎉🎉
Could it be that the speedometer under-reads more than other vehicles, so you were simply being overtaken because you were driving relatively slowly?
Good assessment of the vehicle. It really does seem like the Camry EV, but minus much of the usability (range, charge speed, glove box, rear wiper, one pedal driving, instrument panel size and location, piano black everywhere, etc.).
It seems like a good first attempt, but definitely needs to be re-thought by the Product Management team.
In place of the glovebox is an infrared heater. There's one under the steering-column as well. It's an efficiency benefit other BEV don't offer. Radiant warming direct energy precisely to where you need it, avoiding waste that you get from vents blowing air. I have a bZ4X with that feature. Living in Minnesota, I can tell you all about that advantage Toyota offers over others... especially those whining about the absence of a glovebox. The comfort it provides to my legs is very nice. Do some research into the topic. You'll be impressed at what you find.
@@john1701a I have "done some research", and I knew about the heater. It just seems a shame to remove one function in order to replace it with another, especially when the heater could have been placed elsewhere such as the front of the seat bottom. So yes, I am "whining" about it.
@@dougkippen4971 Aimed at your ankles would fail the purpose of warming what's actually cold, your legs.
Deliberately uninspiring?
What a cute jacket!! Thank you for making this I was wondering if it’s as good as Toyota is capable….
Toyota also made a EV version of the C-HR for the Chinese market
Considering how important these companies are for the Japanese economy, it seems that the people of Japan had better brace themselves for some difficult times ahead.
It's still too early to tell, but the whole Japanese auto industry may be Chinese owned, in about ten or 15 years. All because one country bet big on BEV technology and the other bet against it.
I think being aggresively medicore would be fine if it was a lot cheaper. If Toyota can get it down closer to a Bolt in price then all its annoyances go away.
This. There are so many "meh" EVs that would be great if they were cheaper.
25:40 Hmmm, I don't think the version with the round steering wheel is steer-by-wire. But anyway, that doesn't change your subjective observations about the steering feel. Maybe someday you get to try out the yoke version. Maybe on a fancy Lexus RZ. 😎
Ah The BZ4X. I was excited for this thing, then Toyota took way too long and this was way too underwhelming. Ended up with an ID4 AWD also has a heated windscreen. My Prius 2014 Prius C is still kicking.
Sounds like it would not be a good choice in Australia. Range, bad roads, dusty climate and very "ordinary" doesn't sound like a good match for the BZ4X Toyota. Even though the Camry, Hilux & Landcruiser have been the biggest sellers here for 2 decades.
With the competition from dozens of Chinese companies launching in Aust, and it does not bode well for Toyota's future down here.
Sorry , ladies - it's NOT steer-by -wire. That is coming with the yoke style steering wheel - will be available in the Asian market first.
Toyota is still learning how to make good EVs, this car is just first attempt. They need to get better in software with battery management. They also failed with heating/cooling, their system is ridiculously complex. In fact this is the main issue with the car: if you disable cabin heating or cooling, you will get estimated range without any hassle.
However, with all the shortcomings this car is 100x times better than F150 lightning ...
Sadly, I think the BZ4X sums up Toyota’s EV strategy quite well - looks good on paper, but somewhere along the line something went wrong and then the wheels fell off…. They fixed the car’s wheels with a recall; their EV strategy is going to be more difficult to fix.
The specs don't even look good on paper, compared to the competition
How can Toyota offer Customers that Car 😢
Short-long range. Slow-rapid charging. Questionable corporate support history. Puny power. Less-than-Y space. Funkless. Multi-pedal-ICE-like driving. Weird ADAS-and-other messaging. Why would one buy this imported vehicle?
Piano black interior trim? "Unoffensive"?
Nice, complete, review however. Thanks.
All for the "Bargain" price of 50k, ahhh BIG FAT NOOOOOO.
This was truly an exercise in euphemism speak... But well balanced review.
Which would make a 500 mile trip faster- this, or a Bolt?
Good question. Sounds like it's time for a race video.
I suppose a gen 1 Leaf would be a little too slow to throw in there.
In winter? A Bolt. In summer, might be able to do it OK in the north American spec Bz4X AWD, and probably the FWD version would be faster than the bolt even with the throttled fast charging.
Is it better for Toyota to have a mediocre EV or no EV at all?
it seems like they are struggling to say something nice about this car range power price they all fail if this came out 2015 it would have been pretty good but now there are too many older vehicles that will beat this on every metric
what's this song in the video?
(Look in the description) ;)