Toyota bZ4X - What took them so long???

[@edthelazyboy]

I have been driving my BZ4X Limited FWD for more than a month now and I agree mostly with what is pointed out. It's my first EV and I don't find it to be so bad. I actually like how smooth, quiet, and powerful it feels. It seems like getting FWD is the way to go for better miles/KWh efficiency. My efficiency varies widely and it seems to have a lot to do with how hard my climate control is working. At worse, I'm have gotten around 2.8. Typically, I am getting around 3.3 - 3.8 with highway driving at 65 mph. If I am just driving on local roads, I can get 4.0 - 4.5. My wife can constantly get 4.0 to even 5.0 with her driving style and the heavy traffic on her commute. Basically, it varies a lot. So why did I get the BZ4X? It was down to my decades of past great experiences with Toyotas, the fact that I could get one without dealership markups, and the fact that a few dealerships actually had them on the lot. I sat in the Polestar 2 in a mall display, but found the car to be too narrow for me. I don't trust Hyundai / Kia cars in general and I don't hear good things about their dealers either. I wanted to get the Ford Mach-E earlier but they are really hard to find and are often marked up like crazy. The Tesla Model Y was out of my budget and I still have concerns about their reliability. I did finally got to drive a Tesla Model Y Long Range around the neighborhood after one of my friends bought one. I've seen many Teslas on the road lately, but never had a chance to actually sit in one and drive it. The car is actually really confusing to operate. I had trouble finding the start button and the shifter, so my friend helped me get it into drive. As I drove it, I found that the car doesn't really coast at all. If I ease off the gas, the car slows down too quickly. I didn't like the fact that there is only one screen for both the infotainment system and speedometer. It's really annoying to have to not only look down but to the right to check the speed. As I was driving, it was starting to rain so I tried to use the right stalk but my friend stopped me in time as that is the shifter. The windshield wiper control is actually on the left signal stalk, but I activated the windshield washer when I pressed the button. However, there were no other controls for the wipers. Even getting out was confusing, instead of a door lever it's a button instead. My first drive with the Model Y didn't really impress me. The interior looks really modern and open, but that's about it. My friend plans to show me the autopilot feature later and I'm looking forward to being surprised. It's his first EV too and he's also trying to figure out things too.

[@djtaylorutube]

Not surprised that you had difficulty finding a start button as there isn't one! Wipers are automatic, you can add the control to the console for quick access but auto is normal. It can take a bit of getting used to but when it's your own it's a lot simpler. You typical pair your phone and that's used to auto choose your profile such that the seats, mirrors and steering wheels will restore to your positions. Same for any customisation that you're set for the car. My wife gets in, her phone is recognised and everything is auto set for her choice. Same for choice of regen or coasting. It's an option! It's different without a doubt. When we first tried a Model 3 it didn't grab us. A few months later tried the Model Y and enjoyed it. Not sure about the fuss with a door button Vs a handle. There are plenty of cars where I've had to figure out either the exterior or interior handle. I'm sure you didn't forget having used it exactly one time? 😊

[@sbomorse]

Our bZ4X's have a really good level 2 autonomous system. I've even found a way to trick it into thinking I'm holding the wheel. I can drive down a motorway for an hour without touching the wheel unless I want to change lanes. It makes journeys much less stressful, as long as you are paying attention and ready to take over.

[@1real11]

Had my advance a couple of months and I'm getting 60 mpg & around 700 miles on a full tank with eco mode. The paddles are for regenerative braking, providing a nice subtle way of slowing the car without using the brakes. I find I use the paddles far more than the brakes, and only use the brakes for stopping completely. The rear seats laying completely flat gives loads of space as there's only two of us in the car normally.

[@AutoEV]

? MPG? 700 miles on a tank? You do know this is an EV?

[@rambotulip]

have the same exact color in limited. Extemely comfortable, very smooth to drive and nice torque...feels very wide and heavy, extremely good in rough weather thanks to subaru platform with deep snow modes and grip mode. Its made a like a real solid ice suv that happens to be an ev

[@davidemrich8008]

I have the same color in FWD XLE. I like it. Not perfect, but overall, good. Have had about five days now. Works so far for what I need it for.

[@robertdemeny251]

I bought a bZ4X a month ago. It's a AWD Executive. We like it a lot. We came from a RAV4 plug in, and also has a Lexus. There's talk about a lot of tempting alternatives. But there you have to take into account, that Toyota (and Lexus) owners are loyal to the brand. Some even fanatical loyal. I admit I'm there. Is an alternative really an alternative? I would not in a million years drive a Skoda, and certainly not a Nissan. I'm happy. The wife is happy. No worries for many years to come, and my experience with both Toyota and Lexus is, that I only see the dealership for service. Pick the car that you like and - happy motoring.

[@ohyesitsme]

Extensive review as always from AutoEV. I like the exterior design but have to agree about the grey drab interior and especially the gloss black plastic. When looking at cars in other markets they appear to get a much better choice of interior materials than we do in the UK, usually some shades of grey or black, I wonder why.

[@davidp.4727]

As a BZ owner, the two weaknesses are wireless CarPlay that struggles to stay connected and slow fast charging in temperatures below 0 Celsius . A good first effort but Toyota needs to address these issues sooner than later .

[@no-oneman.4140]

I sat in one of these last week. Never bothered to test drive it. Couldn't get out of it quick enough to escape the acres of dull black plastic inside. No imagination whatsoever. I'm no Tesla fanboy, lot's I'd wish they'd do better, however sat in a Model Y with the white interior felt like the future. Elon won't be losing any sleep with what Toyota are offering. Tesla so much cheaper now. If only I could buy a Tesla designed vehicle built by Toyota, now that would be worth having.

[@kiae-nirodiariesencore4270]

‘Built buy Toyota’ means something when you are talking about ICE based products, building EVs is a different game.The 1990 book ‘The Machine That Changed the World’ lauded Toyota for their world beating production system, JIT delivery, lean manufacturing, heavy outsourcing etc. This makes sense when you are trying to built a machine with thousands of components, hundreds of moving parts and more than a dozen sub-systems in the drive train..and make it reliable. Toyota has shown for decades that they do this better than anyone, I have owned several ICE and hybrid Toyotas which have been more reliable than any German ‘premium’ brands I’ve owned. Achieving reliability in an ICE based vehicle is really tough, it’s easier with an EV as there are fewer components and sub-systems but you have to get them right, hence the efforts of EV makers to vertically integrate and control the supply chain. I would be happy for Toyota to design the car but for BYD to build it, which is exactly what is happening in China right now.

[@whatthe6532]

Toyota = Death by Grey.

[@rambotulip]

teslas need maintenance thats very not cheap,

[@niallmilner]

Have had a Solterra since mid November (UK). The off-road capability is the USP (and something I need). Range, but more importantly efficiency, is a disappointment. Only saved by Octopus Go at our house! I'm pinning a lot of hope on the promised software update to add battery percentage display, release more usable battery, get the Aircon algorithm more accurate and hopefully improve efficiency. Your Solterra road test could be short - tell people to watch the bz4x video, point out the slight differences. Go tooling about at an off-road centre. Done!

[@johnnyboy7459]

@Niall. As a fellow Solterra owner from November just like yourself I was wondering if the updates you speak of are definitely going to happen? I understand the difference between actual and usable battery capacity is there to protect the batteries and provide longevity . Do you think they will release more charging capability? I would like to see 11kw charging instead of 7kw. I read that Toyota models were now equipped with 11kw charging. I was also disappointed that the UK cars didn’t have the parking assistance like in other countries. It’s not like they were any less expensive here in UK. Still haven’t seen another Solterra out and about.

[@pjackowspa]

Hello what cost per kWh is your Octopus Go electricity. Like you I need the ground clearance.

[@niallmilner]

7.5p/kWh (Think it's 10p/kWh now). My Zappi supplies at 7.5kW so that's 30kW in the 4 hour window. Dependent on usage that day I can stray into full price electricity to be 100% by the next morning. Just under half a battery for £2.25 is still good. Also noticing that assuming usable battery is the 64kWh that Toyota have stated, percentage change reported in the app against mileage driven gives a better mi/kWh than the car reports. Software update can't come soon enough!

[@pjackowspa]

@@niallmilner thanks for the prompt response.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

Would be a really nice car with some modifications to the EV aspects of it and if they remove the black gloss in the interior and offer lighter colors. There is just something very pleasant about riding in a Toyota car whether it is a Corolla, Camry, RAV4, Highlander or something else. The ride quality is soft but weighted so it's not mushy and moderately firm and reassuring when need be. But it is just so pleasant. The car is screwed together well. But I want to make a statement about the yoke. It's totally unlike Tesla. Tesla just put a yoke in the X/S and that's it. Toyota's fly by wire is variable. There are no clumsy hand over hand maneuvers. Those who have tested the Lexus RX show that it only turns a half lock and it'll turn completely around, a U-turn, in a half-lock. That's worth looking into as it is a purposeful yoke.

[@nealy2815]

Another great review. Detailed and informative.

[@grahamarnold2591]

Love the format of the show, always tune in for a car review, do like it when you say " have to be honest with you ". I'm not going to agree with everything you say but i still like your analysis of the different cars u review. However when you mention a Plethora of Manufactures and don't mention Tesla, then i find that those comments disingenuous. So many presenters are Trendy "Tesla haters", --but when you been doing BEV'S for 10yrs you get use to the FUD. Looking forward to watching this video - albeit it looks a bit of a shed.

[@ewadge]

Well done with the review

[@jalex6903]

I like this Toyota BZ4X but I will take a petrol car again because Council in Leicester won't allow me to install a charger next to the council house. I am disabled and I have no intention of looking for a working charging point. If Leicester City Council is not in favor of electrification, I have no intention of doing so.

[@scotinnl]

Loved the review and finding it was very handy as I took one of these out for a test run today and was reasonably impressed, I have to say. We haven't yet started negotiations (I have a relatively new Mercedes GLB) but it may end up going that way sometime soon. Like you, I dislike the steering wheel and the idea of having to use a yoke really is turning me off. They would be better off (and probably cheaper) installing a HUD, and let's face it, they have used them very sucvessfully after all. For me, this is a work in progress, I'll get back to you when the decision is taken. You have given food for thought - exactly what I needed. Thank you. One question, if I may, which Barbour jacket are you wearing? It looks comforatable and I would like to get one. Cheers!

[@AutoEV]

Thank you for taking the time to watch the video and comment on it. I’m glad you enjoyed it. The jacket is a Barbour International Summer Duke waterproof. I’m a bit of a slave to Barbour and have many of their jackets, this one being particularly comfortable and easy to wear. Can highly recommend it. You can get it in other colours too. Hope that helps and thanks again for watching.

[@CMCNestT]

The Toyota RAV4 EV was not limited to USA. It was not limited to California. It was limited to California's 3 major urban centers plus California's capital.

[@AutoEV]

Thank you for that information. Genuinely didn’t know. And thank you for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@izo77]

Let's dare make a pre-cognitive annoncement : the Bz4x won't sell. I test-drove one, and it handles nicely (it's twin, the Subary Solterra, handles a notch better), but that's not the issue. The issue is that it was already obsolete before it came to the market. The competition offers - sometimes cheaper - products with more range, so why would you buy it ? Because it's a Toyota and it's supposed to be reliable ? Well, the wheels that started falling off cars have erased that competitive advantage in the customers perception. And the posh brother, the RZ, is even more obsolete, because it's extravagantly expensive (I saw one in a pop-up surprise-reveal event with a price tag of 78 000 euros!) and has a range below average. Finally, we now know that all future Toyota/Lexus models that come before the new dedicated platform, are basically useless. Who would buy them ? What's you take on this? I'm a longstanding Lexus enthusiast, but I have to admit that Lexus/Toyota won't make any competitive BEVs before 5 to 8 years. It pains me, but this is the way...towards the Ioniq 6 (or the refreshed Polestar 2)...

[@nemaranamasssada1103]

You look like a paid commenter.. Toyota BZ4X is priced well down the competitors and if you are mentioning about the recent Tesla price drop, then I accept please go ahead and buy one.. else then I still trust Toyota.. rather fancy stuff..

[@zaphodsbluecar9518]

@@nemaranamasssada1103 - You look like a paid commenter..

[@izo77]

@@nemaranamasssada1103 Sory to disappoint. I wish someone would pay me to write this, but who could it be ? No other brand needs to bad-mouth Toyota BEVs, they do it splendidly by themselves. I use the plural here for convenience, because there is only one of them. The Lexus UX300e was already a disappointment, the BZ4x is a (tragic) disappointment and the Lexus RZ will be a tragi-comic disappointment. And to be so disappointed by something you have to have loved it first, like I loved the Lexus/Toyota badge, despite it's many previous shortfalls. And to address you other insinuation (me being a Tesla fan boy), rest assured that I profoundly dislike the cult which Tesla is. I even spend the last 3 years defending Toyota/Lexus on social media against it's many critics. Not only the Tesla cult, but pretty much every one in the field. But you can defend something that is actually giving arguments to it's detractors for only so long. I just wished that Toyota would wake up and get it's act together on electrification. It seems they have woken up - 7 years too late - and decided that their approach was wrong. So they have scrapped their current and forthcoming EVs (along side damning Akio Toyoda, who spend a lot of time and energy to battle against EVs) and will start from scratch, with the much promising Koji Sato (who has a gargantuan task). Final point : maybe some apologies to the customers who have bought your current product(s) would be in order, Toyota/Lexus executives?

[@benjaminsmith2287]

@@izo77 Their hybrids are excellent. More bZs are coming. Toyota spent time designing the, for now, China only, bZ3. It has a drag coefficient of .22 and has a ton of room in it and an attractive interior. If this is Toyota BEV 1,0 so be it. They still have the refinement/ride quality down. They said they'll have 6 BEVs in Europe by 2026 so there is far more to come. And the Lexus has been getting rave reviews from Australian testers on how it drives, especially the steer by wire yoke steering. Also this how many years too late I don't buy. Like I said, the hybrids are Toyota's bread and butter and the RAV 4 is well done and in great demand and perhaps the good looking new Prius will also be in big demand. Toyota does dislike some aspects of BEVs because they feel the batteries are too big for how many miles most people drive them and are better off used as smaller versions in hybrids.

[@nemaranamasssada1103]

@@izo77 Your intention is clear when you start the comment with negative judgement.. Of course it is not the best car in all aspects.. Reliability, ride comfort, pricing are good. Charging speed, Range will be impacted by lots of external factors as well.. It is not a problem if the range is 60 km less than Tesla/Ioniq5. I am waiting for a comparison range test with similar priced car.. I hope it will give a better picture for everyone including you..

[@djtaylorutube]

It's that it's software locked to a maximum of two DC fast charges per day that could be a problem. Don't think range, think about it you end up staying a charge and find a problem. You might be in your second charge for the day, add only a handful of miles but can't change charger because another will just say "nope".

[@carlarrowsmith]

I did have one on order which was made in June 22, I like a lot of the Toyota package and the rear seat space is most excellent. Cancelled it a few weeks ago due to range, no communication regarding delivery. It is expensive considering it's actually only 63kwh useable battery. How they ever got a WLTP of 317 miles I'll never know. Just a note AutoEV team, Iove your videos but 56 minutes is getting on a bit.

[@sbomorse]

I've had my top spec AWD for two weeks. I'm getting up to 4.1 miles per KW. The interior trim is poor quality, I have a rattling dashboard speaker cover, I don't like the 'pleather' seats - at nearly £53K for my model I expect real leather and plush materials. I also don't like the fact that Carplay is wireless but Android Auto isn't. The load cover is CHEAP and gets on my tits. Other than that I can't really fault it. The matrix headlights are superb, the 360° camera system is good, the self parking system is really good and the remote parking function from outside the car is so cool. It's level 2 autonomous features work really well and you can disable the driver monitoring camera for good without needing to turn it off every time. It's also spacious for me as a 6ft3 man and the rear seats have enough room for people even with my seat all the way back. The AWD system is great and it never breaks traction, I've used the X-mode off road crawl control and that was brilliant. If you want an EV that can actually do real off roading there is no other choice in this class. You need to spend a lot more to even get close to it's abilities.

[@AutoEV]

Agreed on the all wheel drive system. And now the revised model has better efficiency. Still not the class leader, but improved no doubt.

[@DSTWizz]

I had a Toyota salesman phone me today from the dealership I use. He has a BZ4X as his works car. He can't charge at home. His comments? Nice to drive, but wouldn't buy one, because of the price and the poor range, especially in the winter. Range anxiety is a massive issue for him at least, with very poor infrastructure in the local (country) area.

[@rambotulip]

if you cant deal with range of bz you wont deal with most other evs too, specially if cant charge at home

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

there is so much marketing crap about 4WD. I have a AWD IX35, and in 148,000 I have probably only done less that 100km with 4WD locked on, and that says it all.

[@poprin5194]

worryingly you've done a lot of miles in that car and don't realise you've done 148,000km in 4 wheel drive. The carbshifts power to either or all 4 wheels depending on where its needed you wouldn't necessarily know. The 4x4 lock button locks the diff, so you've only needed to lock the diff a few times, meaning the normal 4x4 system couldn't provide the grip required so you needed to lock the diff. So essentially you've fully utilised your very useful 4x4.

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

@@poprin5194 its not worrying at all, as it only 4wd on demand, and I know when it engages the back wheels, one can instantly feel it, and the car just does not do that on the road. The minute time it goes off road, I lock it on the dash button. my point is as I'm sure your aware, that we really don't need 4wd, never had it 60 years ago. (LR Excepted) and 99.9% of us don't need it now.

[@zaphodsbluecar9518]

Dreary interior, over-styled exterior which lacks coherency. Poor performance, poor range. Obviously a product from a company that really doesn't want to build full-EVs. Hopefully now that Toyoda-san has stepped back, we may see some improvements in future models, but Japanese change at the rate of chilled molasses....

[@jameschapman4824]

Good review. Have they cured the wheels falling off? LOL

[@rambotulip]

yes they did,,,,take a deep breath

[@16kn]

sucks how here in BC Canada that we only have 50kw charging speed it would be a nice boot to have 150kw charging speed

[@bill_heywood]

Don’t quote the WLTP range, in real world tests the bZ4X gets nowhere near, in fact it is hopeless. Charging speeds are not great either, especially at the top end

[@AutoEV]

Hence why I mentioned the EV Database. And we will going forward in our reviews. It will give people a better understanding of how different real world is to WLTP.

[@bill_heywood]

@@AutoEV you did, I was commenting as I watched so didn’t give you a chance 😆 But I wouldn’t bother with WLTP at all, just put the EV database figures on screen for all the reviews you do. Seriously, who is going to pay £46k for a sub 200 mile motorway range?

[@ISuperTed]

@@AutoEV I have a Peugeot e208 and the EV Database figures for range in different conditions have been pretty spot on. I totally ignore the WLTP claims now they really are nonsense, especially in our milder UK climate.

[@robertpatrick1973]

No glove box because they have knee infra red heaters there.

[@michaelthegolf]

Please increase your mic. volume.

[@michaelosullivan8708]

what a great looking doggin site,,, and the car is really nice too

[@marktiller1383]

For a top company that should of been spending year's in development, not exactly a stellar car . It's almost as if they completely ignored electric and they have jumped in with a mediocre car.

[@robertpatrick1973]

Red Solterra on Order

[@davidward2231]

I went to look at the Toyota at the weekend to rule it out before I ordered an Ariya. I really did not like especially the interior and seating position. I’m sure it’s a great car but it’s not my cup of tea.

[@henvan8737]

It's a terrible first effort. Toyota is really suffering through lack of motor and EV battery experience. Hybrids don't count as this a completely different technology.

[@mhifield3435]

Hi Brian, lobe your reviews but Im not even going to bother this one, and that is hecause of TOYOTA and thei total lack of competence ....the only reason to review any electric Toyota is to just point out how utterly useless they are in the EV race....totally awitched off Toyota and Lexus and switching allegiance to Hyundai/Ioniq/Kia....bye bye Toyota....U wont be missed in the EV age...I had to come back and vent more. It is so clear the good Toyota CAN do....great boot design and actual BUTTONS!!! BUT Lexus got lazy after setting the pace, thinking that just filling their interiors with more and lesther was a solution when the German manufacturers just raced ahead. And Lexus ate nowhere in the tacr (RCZ uterrly inadequate) amd it seems that TOYOTA is going the same way. Thisteally is sad but hope they see the error of their waysand fight back but not on the evidence of this vehicle 😢

[@returner323617]

I stopped watching after the efficiency was quoted at 2.1-2.2 miles per kWh... Seriously..!?!?! And the battery is actually 64.0 kWh usable...

[@thebeesleybunch157]

Hi Iam with you there 2.2?? I have just thrashed down From Inverness to Sidmouth 618 Miles in 10.5 Hours driving time. + 3 X Charges. Getting a 3.5 driving well over speed limit when I could?? and just 2 Degrees most of trip. In my Kia E Niro 4+ with heat pump, a 4 year old tech car!!

[@ggowler]

But it’s a Kia 😂

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

1/ acres of grey plastic 2/ ugly exterior imo. 3/ poor range aparently 4/ piano black....who asked for that.

[@drxym]

No doubt Toyota will use the inevitably abysmal sales figures to convince themselves that nobody wants EVs.

[@jeppo1185]

This is a half assed attempt at an EV by Toyota IMO. You can't tell me Toyota, with all of it's resources couldn't have produced a much better EV across the board. It's just a Matchbox model they pumped out to stay relevant! Boring is as boring does.....and nobody does it better than Toyota.

[@robertpatrick1973]

Have you driven one?

[@jeppo1185]

@Robert Patrick I've driven many Toyotas and lexus. I haven't driven the EV of course. I just find it hard to swallow that the largest auto manufacturer in the world cannot put together a decent ev. They basically invented and perfected the hybrid, yet they couldn't take it to the next step? They designed and built the best sports car ever IMO (LFA) yet put out a subpar vehicle lacking in many areas. I think this will change now that they have a new CEO.

[@robertpartrick891]

@@jeppo1185 hello I believe that the Lexus EV on this same platform will rock, and be closer to the concept vehicle.

[@LifeAtSea50]

Those big plastic side wing panels look dreadful…why toyota why? You just ruined it for me.

[@enzoduke495]

I think they rush it and definitely over priced