New London Taxi review - how does the LEVC TX fare?

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Considering its importance to the fabric of London life, it’s remarkable there have only ever been a handful of taxi models built solely for the Capital. The story can be loosely boiled down two three models - the Austin FX3 of 1949, followed by the 1958 FX4 (which became the Fairway in 1989) and the TX1 launched in 1997. This new TX, though, is easily the biggest step-change…
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[@shroomyesc]

Lots of volvo bits in the interior, not a bad thing

[@charleshu5752]

both volvo and the London taxi company bought by Geely. the platform and parts are probably shared.

[@milosilic23]

ShroomWalrus a great thing really. Volvo is on fire, so you can't go back

[@joostsanders1771]

ShroomWalrus yeah i did not expect that. Even before it was pointed out i was like ‘all these parts look a lot like volvo?’

[@karlosbricks2413]

My problem with it, is it looks too big, I mean it's clearly got a lot of Volvo SUV in it, and to me that's not what a black cab is meant to be. It's supposed to be small and nimble, this just looks like a crossover with a lengthened cab body on it.

[@souravmmishra]

Volvo is owned by Geely

[@milosilic23]

I have to hand it to geely, they are on fire. First with the Volvo, now with this. It looks traditional, but covering all the problems the old ones had

[@Gochsener]

99% at least. And ripping stuff out of a volvo, electrify the car and put a lot of useful features in is not the worst thing a chinese company could to. I'm glad they didn't compromise on all the good stuff, because every driver and passenger will be glad he's in one of these so they'll get a lot more customers.

[@marcoffs95]

dey aight

[@yuchungman]

milosilic23 don't forget Lotus, I'm excited abt it

[@xPUR3xSHOTZx]

milosilic23 well to be fair, all geely does is provide funds for the brands

[@johnsonlong57]

Haja Yeah, because It's *BRITISH* designed and *BRITISH* Made. I wouldn't trust those Chinese making my taxis.

[@riyaniftakher]

John from fake taxi would love this

[@rutter1ify]

Riyan lol 😂😜

[@spillz233]

I was trying to find this exact comment

[@ishy3412]

I wouldn't mind rattling some blonde teens in it either

[@MaxLeopold]

You call this a Review?! The most common Questions are still unanswered, like: - Turning Circle compared to the older ICE Cabs - Are there Cameras for reversing & general driving, to reduce Insurance Cost - how fast do they charge - where in London can you fast charge - how can you provide shade to your Customer in the Back with all that Glass on the Roof - does it have any additional Trunk Space? - how does a Wheelchair User get Access? - does the middle seat have an integrated Booster Seat for Kids - how secure is the Driver from attempted Attacks - provides the touchscreen access to Service Apps like Gett/MyTaxi or do these require again a Mobile on the Dash? - Access to new Technology? - is there hands free Mobile Connectivity? - CarPlay / Android Auto Integration and so on

[@MICHGO1]

I WOULD THINK THAT THIS IS PRETTY MUCH FOR ENTERTAINMENT. ACTUAL TAXI BUYERS PROBABLY DON'T GO TO CAR BLOGS FOR DETAILED INFO.

[@Tenessee123]

What’s the fuel/battery economy on it would be the first question!

[@joshuasprucie8933]

Check out the Fully Charged channel for the in-depth review

[@EinkOLED]

It needs tractor wheels, to drive over London Traffic.

[@SonOfTamriel]

That thing is sweet, only in London they'd make it look classic cabby.

[@Sandouras]

Son of Tamriel and a surgeon inside to remove your kidneys to pay for the ridiculous fares.

[@bilibiliism]

And its owned by a foreign company like almost all english car makers too.

[@MichaelGreenhalgh]

Built in coventry 100 miles from london lol

[@mavericklondoner]

Sandouras. The fares are ridiculous because the ruling bodies do not allow cabbies to buy any other vehicle for the job, its supposed to be a free market economy but cab drivers are not allowed a free market to purchase their vehicles in. Give them a choice of vehicles to purchase for the job, and watch the fares come down. It costs a ninimum hundred pounds per day to run the cab as a business before the taxi driver earns a penny for himself, how much do you want them to charge or do you expect them to work at a loss, if you do can you inform me another business that operates at a loss for the sake of the public. You've obviously never been self-employed in your life.

[@UrbanStories]

yes, but owned by a chinese company though.

[@TaefDewan]

He said it felt like a car to drive then a couple minutes later it feels like a 4x4

[@nicholasclarke1806]

aren't 4x4 cars?

[@sambhati4074]

A 4x4 is a car 😂

[@Trinavara]

He also said it's high like an SUV and everything's low down. Errr :?

[@MrCarguy2]

Taef Dewan a 4x4 is a big car basically

[@Trinavara]

MS Dos I know what he meant,was just showing how his use of words may be confusing to some...

[@joshayling2784]

I know a lot of people find his voice and presenting style very annoying, but I’ve come to like his style and actually sounds like a young Quintin Wilson!!!!

[@unicorntomboy9736]

josh ayling quintin sounded very irritating to me though

[@meerkat3899]

When I first heard the voice I actually thought it was QW

[@duyver101]

The first thing I thought was 'He sounds like Quintin!'

[@james-ch]

josh ayling *quentin willson

[@hamzahqaiser8859]

He sounds like a gay

[@wakandaforever5732]

What about the turning circle?

[@jamesxs783]

Reeeeeally nice video!!! Congrats from me!!! 😀 Really excited to see more of those on the British roads...

[@Mustafafilming]

Looks kinda like a Bentayga outside and a modern Volvo inside.

[@KB-bh9hp]

Mustafa Yılmaz Goes to show how ugly the Bentley is lol.

[@UrbanStories]

Bentayga was the first car that came to my mind as well.

[@bricktop4753]

Mustafa Yılmaz its bentayga money!!

[@rejoicerone3176]

Isn't £55K not far too much for the average taxi driver to be able to afford, even on a PCP plan?

[@1958plymouth440V8]

Not at all. Even a used LTI TX4 on an 58 month HP plan, direct from LTI themselves, would cost about £46k. The list price of an LTI TX4 back in 2006 was at least £30k, despite its basic-ness.

[@bilibiliism]

taxi drivers actually make a lot of money with their honest work.

[@SuperSuperAllons93]

These cars are absolutely bullet-proof as well. Most of the ones you see on Auto Trader have done 300k miles plus.

[@KK001]

This guy said that it costs a sensible 55,5k and a groundbraking 58k, wat he mean

[@pb7870]

The idea is that they save money on diesel to make up for it which makes sense when they drive so many miles

[@Shedspider]

Ive been driving one of these for the last 6 weeks haConsidering that this is supposed to be a purpose built taxi, it is surprising that no one thought to ask a working taxi driver what the driver actually needs in that little cockpit at the front where they spend almost half their life. I have noticed many simple design faults over the last month, all which could have been avoided if actual working taxi drivers were consulted during the design stage. 1) The nearside passenger yellow left hand handhold is too close to the bulkhead, so close that almost every person that I have asked cannot get their knuckles through the space. Therefore can only use the strength of the fingers to pull themselves and cannot use their full hand to grip the handle. 2) Something as simple as somewhere to hang a coat is missing. So it is either wear it or put it on the floor. The TXII and TX4 had a simple hook fitted in the luggage area so not too hard to rectify. (Drivers. A shower vacuum suction cup with hook bought cheaply from ebay is strong enough to hold a coat up off the floor) 3) Another thing missing is anywhere to keep receipt pads and a pen. There is enough spare space to have one fitted or moulded into the large center console otherwise its just a case of leaving them on the center console in front of the gear lever and hope that they dont fall off when corning. 4) There is nowhere to put a money bag or change/coin machine. None. Zero. The door pockets are too narrow to even fit an empty bag, in fact the door pockets are too small to fit almost anything in except maybe a newspaper or a few receipt pads. 5) Overhead storage pockets. If you want to put anything up there, forget about it. Anything in the open pockets will slide out and hit you in the face if you need to put your foot down and accelerate. Ive jammed an old cap in one to stop things sliding out onto my head. 6) Drivers interior lights . . . or rather the lack of drivers interior lights. Two tiny little LED (3/4" ?) lights fitted in the middle of the drivers cabin are worse than useless especially as one is pointed down into the luggage area. Bright lighting directly over the drivers area is something that is needed when working nights to do such basic things like writing receipts, giving correct change, reading a book or newspaper when ranked up etc NOT a single dim 3/4" LED light over the center console. 7) Drivers interior light switch(s) are in the middle of the drivers cabin ceiling. There are 4 small, smooth and close together 4 buttons that a child would have trouble operating without looking directly at them. These buttons need to be big and separate enough that a raised hand can find them without looking. Two buttons or switches is all that would be needed. Driver and passenger. Simple really if someone was to actually think about it. (I have been told by a passenger that the lights and switches are from the Volvo XC90) 8) Why is there a sun visor with a vanity mirror and light fitted to the front luggage area ? 9) As the taxi body has been widened but the overall width has been kept the same, the door mirrors have been made smaller. BIG mistake. HUGE mistake. There are now really large blind spots on both sides of the vehicle, that combined with the reduced view from the rear mirror makes this a potential threat to someones life (probably a cyclist) I have been forced to order 2 of the small driving instructor mirrors to fit to the existing mirrors to reduce the blind spots before someone is injured. 10) Drivers lockable underseat box. 6 weeks and still waiting for it Apart from the various software issure the taxi is having I'm sure there was something else about design faults that i have forgotten but im sure that I'll sit in the cab tomorrow and remember it I havent mentioned the battery range (average high 40's to low 50's) because this could be my driving style but im writing down daily mileage and anything that could effect the range. Things like what the weather was like on the day because when it was cold the passengers wanted the heaters on and when its raining and the wipers are on all day plus heaters, demisters etc the battery gets chewed up. I am NOT looking forward to the summer when the passengers want the A/C on.

[@SvenAERTS]

They should give you 500 € consulting fee ! fffffff I don't understand that mentality of the mgt.

[@MA9494AM]

Partly developed here in Gothenburg, Sweden. Get to see test cars once in a while

[@jamessheehy4895]

As soon as i saw the steering wheel i knew it was volvo parts

[@alexuemura2353]

James Sheehy right! So was the infotainment System.

[@NC-002]

1:42, holy s**t! somebody's actually purchased a Twizy!

[@AsherPiesman]

I’ve been looking forward to seeing the new TX get a road test. I like it, it’s got the familiar classic look to it but seems more fitting with modern cars over the outgoing TX4

[@jamtart606]

I went on one of these not too long back, the acceleration took me by surprise!

[@steve9509]

This video made me miss England so much!!

[@recoveringnewyorker2243]

As a limousine and airport transportation driver in the US (Florida) these new London taxis seem to be very practical! Kudos!

[@joebassocontinuo6297]

This vehicle is not a limo, is a car designed for taxi and can be used for ridesharing (uberXL). Get your facts straight.

[@XIIIALV]

Looks like a mini funeral car 😃

[@TheShuaib93]

Chris A lol

[@hoodie7257]

Or a mini Bentayga

[@80skid83]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@connorbroadhead3170]

Can't wait until John gets one of these

[@tumors1686]

Awesome. When classic car meets moder design. Perfect cute looking car👌

[@noahbowie5985]

I would love to see a fleet of EV car share stations (similar to a system in Paris) made by LEVC. I would also love to see the TX being bought and used in other major cities such as New York and Paris.

[@NeoGee]

I wonder if they considered making the rear doors sliding one.

[@mrlilmatt123]

300k Miles on a taxi isn't a lot.. don't know what you mean by 'up to 300k miles in their lifetime', that's nothing!

[@KB-bh9hp]

BrabusBandit I know a crown vic will last like 500k.

[@galaxy5801]

I've known a Peugeot 406 have 300k on the clock

[@jib1838]

300k miles on a taxi is nothing, I know many taxidrivers that has well over that on their vehicle. Even my Toyota Avensis '08 has over 300k on the clock, and it has never been used as a taxicab.

[@harryshort2281]

The majority of tx1’s up here in the north of England that were bought new are on their third engine at this point or about a million miles XD

[@mavericklondoner]

I've done over a million miles in two taxis, 300,000 mile is when they have just been run in!

[@noahbowie5985]

Can it get round the tiny roundabout at the Savoy Hotel?

[@mavericklondoner]

All Taxis have to have a minimum 26 foot turning circle

[@oldskool731]

Not enough charge points can't get on one after 8pm

[@hughes1011]

The fibreglass body parts are made in Lisburn, Northern Ireland in a factory called Creative Composites

[@sebastianlim2499]

They have Volvo interiors?

[@georgiivanov61]

No. Only separate parts like the gear knob and the turn signal stocks.

[@gregn8309]

Geely owns Volvo, so yeah. I recognize Volvo steering wheel, gear-shifter and many more

[@sebastianlim2499]

Those cabby drivers are seriously gonna enjoy the new taxi

[@robloxfan4271]

yes

[@BenBenderEde]

Why are you not wearing the safetybelts?

[@AtheistOrphan]

What’s the boot space like?

[@galloping5273]

Nice one James👍

[@Jallge]

Watching this I felt like I was watching Quentin Willson's review of the LTI TX1 from 1997. There are a few things that seem like they were lifted straight out of that review, and the presenter even sounds like Quentin.

[@macbuff81]

I like the huge panorama roof and payment built-in hub in the back. It's safer and more convenient for both the driver and passenger.

[@michaelkennedy8573]

Whats the turning circle like?

[@CinemaUnited]

Michael Kennedy It's still great

[@bluesky4733]

Michael Kennedy Half way round it will need recharging 😂

[@KK-th5yt]

Eh, while the range is pathetic for *any* car, you probably won't need more in a compact city like London, for example.

[@jamesshanks2614]

Michael Kennedy just over 8 meters

[@rabit818]

Cup holder in the rear?

[@AicxMedina]

Are you still reviewing for Carbuyer?

[@mowler8042]

Do london cabs have 4 wheel steering?

[@SuccubusLover69]

Looks great

[@MFPCGGamer]

I’ve seen this electric taxi driving all around London there were so many of them

[@davidhayes4814]

How long will all the gadgets last?

[@slamak9897]

They wanted low running costs....Unfortunately on hybrids they can't use heating oil anymore....

[@196hasnain]

anyone get a bentley/ rolls royce vibe from the grill, logo and the rear tail lights?

[@robs2765]

It has the same steering wheel as my Volvo XC90?

[@robloxfan4271]

u drive a school bus?

[@robs2765]

bob brown nope a 2016 Volvo XC90, 2017 Honda Pilot, and a 2013 Acura TLX

[@robloxfan4271]

the volvo xc 90 is a school bus so top gear say

[@ThePhilorama]

Great review, Batch. I'll ignore the fact your driver pulled out on the Merc-bus and nearly killed you at 6:19...

[@dariuskamra6659]

I think it’s very well designed for driver and the passengers needs. Only minor (but annoying lol) criticism is the fact that the taxi Amber light sign at the front looks always on in the day light! So, you’ll try to call a taxi off the street thinking the light is on, but in fact it’s off and there’s a passenger inside already! This has happened several times as I’ve tried getting a taxi.

[@hughes1011]

A very good Quinten Wilson impression

[@Gurungedition]

You forgot to press the 'intercom button' there James 🙄

[@FatBoyChannel101]

Going to buy this in the future, no even kidding look how spacious is this!

[@Paul-oe2yj]

Amazing taxi as a passenger it’s just perfect you can not beat a London taxi and this makes it even more enjoyable

[@livingthroughtv]

Well, that actually looks great!

[@2259Ben]

But can it turn around properly?

[@mitchellhurd8958]

Looks way better than the diesel TX4 model! My favourite diesel / petrol TX is the silver window FX4 model! I'd love to ride in one of these again. I don't know why but some older TX4 models, R-reg ones to 51-plate ones love to drink oil a bit. We have some of these in Abingdon in Oxfordshire - better than the "Ford Transit" Metro cabs. Just like with buses and trains withdrawn from London duties, I bet the TX4's are "hand me downs" . They look quite nice though :)!

[@FeelsDonkMan]

What about it's safety features? Does it have radar guided cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane assist etc? These things improve safety big time, but also improve comfort of the driver as they do less, and become less tired.

[@samueltovey4646]

IElRedI yes

[@Tuppoo94]

What do you need radar guided cruise control for in central London? The traffic rarely moves any faster than a bicycle. Any competent driver should be able to keep their vehicle in the proper lane without assistance.

[@jonnysouthjersey]

i wonder if these will find their way to the US

[@RioBow]

It looks fantastic.

[@klaus-rogerbenuar3687]

I find the new "London Taxi" successful because it has become more environmentally friendly, because it has become more modern, but its distinctive look has been preserved. I would be happy if the London taxi would also come to Germany

[@chichitoemmanuel7723]

Nice taxi i love it

[@rpvitiello]

Hum maybe NYC should look at this for inspiration for their next cab.

[@Bryan-fg3ey]

At 3:45 your taxi driver disguise slipped. You should have carried on, as amber means only stop if younger the fare to tot up a bit more.

[@k956upg]

The new symbol of Britishness....I thought it was a Chrysler or a Japanese mpv...

[@soumyadeepbhunia172]

That touchscreen looked oddly familiar. When you said LEVC was owned by Geely, everything fell into place. THAT'S BASICALLY A VOLVO!!! WHICH IS AWESOME!!!!

[@idlecom]

We have those in some german cities aswell, and I love them ^^

[@Nick23Wood]

It's electric - with a range extender (which you could remove or never use) The Range extender never connects to the wheels (with same turning circle as current taxi by the way), only charges the battery. This will allow TFl to basically control it's use as it extends it's clean Air Zones. No comment I have read so far is celebrating the tremendous advance this is for people breathing London's Air - extend requirement of electric/this form of hybrid to the Digital serfs of Uber and it will be a slam dunk :)

[@BurpleRX7]

Toyota in japan have the JPN taxi running on LPG and that seems to be popular, as for this one it’s basically a Volvo XC car with a taxi body over the top of it. It’s great but the infrastructure isn’t there to support them as yet. And remember most London cabbies can’t afford to have time off the road maintenance wise, they all have there favourite workshop that has parts on the shelf ready to go. I can’t imagine they will have a workshop in every borough ready and waiting to work on these quickly

[@dipinthewalker]

A little humour suits you Buoy... 👍👍

[@picardlouis2653]

but do some people buy them cause i think i saw one in paris

[@billymayhem]

That all said...I love the sound of my TX2!! My neighbours as I warm it up....not so much! haha

[@user2144]

Can you please add the word "work" at the end of title, after the word "fare". Thanks.

[@the-boring-car-guy]

That taxi driver impression loool

[@AndrewTheRadarMan]

The LED's look cool

[@pianofortesam7951]

The rearlights need to change a little bit that can let the car look even better

[@ilkin_live]

When will Baku?

[@pugman205]

looks ok, but will it drift?

[@TapateBen]

Hoy many kilometers or milles drives a taxi driver in London in one day?

[@mayhsalaam9321]

hahaha so good review all watch J.R.B soo funny but so glad not working in that location after 6 years l left

[@vryzenok]

75 miles ... ye right .... how long it takes to charge? don`t see this working out well...

[@edvardabelvik4045]

Everything inside it looks like it does inside a volvo bus like a volvo 8500

[@Gigaguenther]

I've never heard anyone but the british say how much of a world famous icon those black cabs are

[@Commentator541]

Why does it need to be so big? I like the looks.

[@MICHGO1]

COMFORT. SEATS 6.

[@davidellis279]

Looks a lot better than the old ones,being a hybrid it's got to be a lot better on the environment because the diesel ones especially the early vehicles were absolutely abysmal on exhaust immisions as were the AEC Routemaster buses,as for the price of these new taxis £55,000 is a bit steep compared will the last ones,the question the owners will want to know is if there capable of doing the Mega Mileages the Diesel engine ones were capable off.

[@coreylongenecker2288]

do they not have UBER in the UK?

[@spencerwilton5831]

Yes, but we prefer taxi drivers to know where they are going, not be rapists, have proper insurance, not be illegally working in the U.K. and to speak English.

[@beamboy07]

we already lost lti fx4 and on our way to lose to lose our tx4 :(

[@frankroby1554]

At least it gets rid of the diesel engine.

[@whatevernevermind5960]

They should’ve just put a traditional gear lever and should’ve made more space for the seat to recline.

[@goergeibrahim6417]

Outside Royce rolls Steering wheel is from volvo Navigation from tesla

[@johnsamu]

Geely/Volvo engineers and designers will use as much standard Volvo parts as possible. It makes no sense to design/produce special parts for such a limited series of cars, it would make the car incredibly expensive.

[@toninocars]

Hahaha make my day Very well played taxi driver 👍😂

[@Mybwain]

Very similar to the old top gear review of the tx1

[@72Yonatan]

There are three modes for regenerative breaking, so if it suits you better, then turn it to zero.

[@AgnostosGnostos]

Doesn't anybody how I can select such a black cab.

[@SeanSCY]

After seeing this video and the one made by "Fully Charged", I believe the Toyota JPN Taxi has a great chance to enter the UK taxi market ! really!

[@nurbsenvi]

I don’t know why peeps hate this presenter, he is great

[@aidanwallington9718]

I saw a car very similar to this yesterday (in America)

[@satnitcboy]

Interesting review. This would be welcome in NYC, where the max number of passengers is 4, with one in front. Then again, NYC taxis are taking a beating from Uber and other ride share companies.

[@chrisfletcher975]

Looks pretty cramped up front with not much leg room. Noticed his knees are slightly higher than his hips which tends to round out the spine and can lead to back problems. In previous cabs, other than the Mercedes, there was not enough room to push the seat back to extend leg position. If the seat was then raised to bring hips higher than knees the majority of drivers would have to lean forward to have a clear view out of the windscreen. The curvature of the taxi roof caused the windscreen top edge to be relatively low. This guy has his head pushed forward in a typical cab driving posture which in some drivers can cause neck problems.

[@cawimmer430]

The driver‘s seating position looks very cramped, like you can‘t slide back the seat if you‘re a tall driver.

[@lc7327]

Their in Edinburgh now

[@jeebus2121]

How long before there is no driver and it's "autonomous"?

[@jixi40]

jeebus2121 I think the technology will come soon but the government won't let autonomous cars without a person at the wheel for a very long time.

[@samueltovey4646]

jeebus2121 2025

[@ross4384]

I doubt that will ever happen not in a 100 years. If an accident happens and a person is injured. Who is to blame? There is no driver?

[@jixi40]

Ross Gambino exactly my point.

[@igrvks]

The next generation of that car will already have some autonomous features and the generation after that it will be driving itself.