Not sure where that mileage stacks up among others, but I am pretty sure I am into the top 10% of miles. I took delivery of the vehicle early this year. This is my work car and has been that way since day one. The Bz is a replacement of my Toyota 2017 Prius Prime. O, a car I loved. I would still have that car except it had 150,000 mile before I turned it in for the Bz. I would actually still be using it except for the main factor, it was just too low to the ground. As a property inspector, my vehicle needs to got to a few places I shouldn’t. After one too may scrapes to the bottom, it was time to replace it (current miles was also a problem). I would have opted for the newer Prime, it would have been more cost effective that the Bz, but would have put me back into the same, scrape the bottom concerns of the older Prime.
So at this point I think I'm pretty knowledgeable about the vehicle and what it does well and what it doesn’t. Also, I'm not a techie, but did work most of my career in techie stuff, but never liked the nick nacks. It works or it doesn’t. My phone is my phone and not my movie theater, game boy, all entertainment tool. That said, some buttons on the dash, steering wheel, or screen, I don’t know what they do, and don’t really care.
The Bad;
The tires: I have had 2 flats. This is a hazard of the job. Some of my work sites are still under construction. There is usually debris still to be discovered. The first was a nail, but that was easily remedied. The second was another nail in the sidewall. That was a $450 replacement of the tire. Since this is a newer vehicle the specific tire is only available from the dealer.
The tire pump: Toyota gave us a tire pump with tire flat filler, just in case you got a flat. In may case, getting to the pump requires removal of much of my equipment from the rear compartment and lifting up the flap and pulling out the pump and the filler. In my case, this is extremely inconvenient. If I was stranded at the side of a dark road, X number of mile from civilization, the pump would be a pleasant option. In my case I have added a small but effective pump and tire plug set to my “equipment” package. I also got a tire flat plug system. Makes getting a flat less concerning.
Hot interior: I think some of you may have started to notice that the vehicle is hot in the interior. Since I live in California, I may have noticed this sooner than some. I have tinted the front windows a 20%, but has not helped much. Almost thinking of going with a 35% and darkening the rears, just to reduce the heat. Additionally, that location where you can recharge your phone. That becomes almost useless what your phone shuts down because its too warm...even with the cover up?
Cup holder: I take a few refreshments with me in the morning as I get on the road. In the center console, passenger side cup holder, I put in my “big” drink with a straw. This is for later in the day when I am hot and tired and thirsty. It is not uncommon to find a “Big Gulp” in there if it has been an extremely long or hot day. Why do I put it there? My elbow bangs into the drink or catches on the straw if it in the driver’s side cup holder. I guess they needed it to be high up to give us plenty for the central console glove box….which there really isn’t one. It’s a pretty good waste of the transmission driveshaft tunnel space.
Regen braking: What a stupid implementation. The location is stupid, next to the hill hold button and park?!! If I’m driving in the city streets, its “on”. If I’m driving freeways or 95% of my travels, its “off”. Why bother.
The OKish:
I am getting a solid reported 230 miles per charge. That is what my charge status says, that is what my odometer says. I go 100 miles, the charge status says I have 130 miles of range left. It can be off a few miles + or -, but that is due to either more up hills or more down hills. I have been down to 10 mile of range left and done 230 miles of travel, so I pretty confidant in the numbers I’m getting.
These are not your typical pokie EV driver miles, these are in the far left lane doing my best to get from location to location in the least amount of time. Do I wish I had more mileage per charge? Not really. It gets me through my work day with generally 70 to 80 miles of range left. Would I drive it from here to Las Vegas...not my first choice.
The Good:
This is a great driving can. I can spend 100 mile ( almost every day) in the seat with no fatigue. Since I am slight of weight, my impression will be different that someone that weighs 50 or 100 lbs more than I do. For me, its great.
Coming from the Prius Prime, the Bz is not as nimble but there is more weight and it sits higher. If you hit a corner too fast it will push the front and you really feel the extra weight. The drive feel is very similar to other sport type SUV, but not heavy like a Bronco or Equinox. Still very impressed with its road manners.
In final, I am very happy with my purchase. The car is everything a mid generation EV should be. Its efficient, but would really like 300 miles out of it..but that's only needed once every 12 months or so. I like the size of the car, big enough for all my stuff, I carry a lot of stuff. I would have gone with a Rav4 Prime, but those are unicorns and in the $55K range. There are a few things they got wrong with the Bz4x, but mostly that got it right. I’ll keep this car for 5 years, put 150,000 miles on it and move onto my next one.
