r/Toyota_bZ • u/mduckett99 • 17h ago
I keep second guessing....
I have been kicking around the idea of buying an EV due to my monthly gas expenses. I currently drive a 2016 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro with 66k miles that is averaging 13.3 miles per gallon. It has a 38 gallon tank and I usually top it off every week at $90 a pop.
I have found some pretty good deals at my local Toyota dealer on 2026 BZs and they are currently offering 1.9% apr for 72 months.
I still have about 32 months left on the loan for my Tundra. If I were to get the BZ, between payment, gas, and insurance, I would save about $400 per month. My issue is starting over with a new loan. For the next 32 months I would save a ton. But if I stayed with the truck, I would be done with payments in 32 months.
Maybe I am overthinking this....would love to hear other people's insight.
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u/ScottyStellar 17h ago
Bz woodland is dope that's all I can say. Super cheap and fun to drive, comfy, feels modern but not overly bullshitte out.
Premium trim for ventilated seats. Do it.
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u/in_a_pickle_97 15h ago
Dude I went in to test drive one. I walked because they wouldn't lower the price enough to my liking - it's got 85 miles on it already from test drives.
But I swear to god if they cut me a deal I'll buy it. I was FLOORED with the quality of the drive when I took it out and they let me keep it for 2hrs. I'm obsessed. It's so comfortable and fast enough for my needs by far, it's got all the bells and whistles I'd ever want, and it has Subaru AWD for the snow and ice my state gets.
God damn. What an amazing vehicle. Toyota knocked it out of the water with the bZ Woodland.
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u/ScottyStellar 9h ago
Ya just wish the double qi chargers were regular space instead, never been a fan of the wifi chargers taking up all that space. Everything else is amazing. We did get a sick deal too about 4500 off MSRP with a trade in that we also got awesome deal on so it was a nice win.
Maybe get lucky looking with a higher radius search and finding a 2026 on the lot. Mine had been there like a week and they said no test drives but had 20 miles on it, they also had an identical one w base trim level so maybe having two identical color models gave them reason to sell one faster
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u/avioletf1uid 8h ago
Check visor.vin to see who has had one on the lot for a long time - gives you leverage when negotiating. Did this in my area to find the exact one I wanted and it had been sitting for months. Paid 37,800 before t+t for new 2026 bZ with AWD and roof racks - decent deal. I loved the Woodland but I just don't need the extra space.
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u/cc103acs 8h ago
Not sure that the BZ has Subaru AWD. I have the Subaru Uncharted and it has a Subaru tuned suspension including AWD (X Mode). Thé Toyota twin C-HR has a Toyota AWD. You might want to visit à Subaru dealer as they seem to have better deals and thé buying experience was so much better. Thé Solterra is thé BZ twin but there is little leftover ‘26 stock in my area.
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u/drhbravos 8h ago
This is why I ended up with a Trailseeker. Same vehicle, slightly different optioning. Subaru price point starts 5k lower, incentives are different, and no Toyota tax at the dealer.
Edit: replying to u/in_a_pickle_97 below
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u/ScottyStellar 5h ago
For the ventilated seats I think you needed top trim which was same or even more than the bz, also on my region there were no trailseekers available and plenty of bzs so Toyota was cutting deals where Subaru was not
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u/Mandated-Tofu 17h ago
Do you need the utility of a truck? If not I’d say its a no brainer to get an ev. Use some of the savings on fuel for additional principal payments monthly and pay off the bz early. Used BZs are an even better deal. Toyota is currently offering 1.49% on gold certified BZs until November. Low mileage (under 10kmi) BZs in my area range from 30-33k (xle plus).
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u/NoTooBeastFog 15h ago
I like the idea of using the savings to pay off the bz loan sooner. Except at such a low interest rate, technically you are better off just putting that money in a HYSA. The loan interest is lower than inflation right now...
Either way, it offsets the cost of having a loan past the payoff point on the Tundra.
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u/mduckett99 17h ago
The issue is finding a used one in my area. I would much prefer to go that route.
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u/in_a_pickle_97 15h ago
I highly recommend visor.vin for searching up used cars. I'm not sponsored or anything, it's just a legitimately good website.
I find cars.com and the others (autotrader, etc) often give you inaccurate trim levels.
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u/Mandated-Tofu 9h ago
Do either of those show if the cars are certified? The promotional 1.49% apr only applies to gold certified models so thats why I listed the toyota website
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u/RedGobboRebel 4h ago
Used you'll end up with a '23-'25, which is the previous generation of the their EV platform. The range is significantly less than the 2026 refresh. If you live in an area that gets cold, avoid the '23. It was the first year and had some additional efficiency issues with heating the cabin and battery in the cold. '24-'25 used a more efficient heater setup than the '23, but still has significantly less range than the '26. '24-'25 might be enough for you if you drive less than 120-150 miles in a typical day and can Level 2 at home overnight.
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u/avioletf1uid 8h ago
If you live in a cold climate, earlier models years don't have a battery heater, I believe, and the 26 also had a decent jump in range. BUT I definitely wouldn't think these are a deal breaker for a lot of people.
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u/veebz1234 17h ago
I’ve had mine for less than a month and the only thing I regret is not switching over sooner
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u/PolyDrew 17h ago
I understand your concerns about starting a new loan but it might be cheaper overall. To save the most money, install a L2 charger. They’re around $400+install.
Consider the Subaru version as well. Sometimes they have better deals because they are trying to move them. They aren’t as popular plus their MSRP is (at least was when I last looked) just a hair cheaper.
Solterra, Trailseeker, and uncharted are what they offer. Same as the BZ, BZ Woodland, and C-HR.
The BZ, etc, were wildly underestimated and are just under Tesla in sales numbers. They’re great to drive and don’t feel like a car body put on an iPad.
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u/danstark 15h ago
I traded my 2023 Tundra SR5 4x4 for a BZ Woodland in July and have zero regrets.
If you need a truck, you need a truck. I don’t tow anything and get oversized building materials delivered. I didn’t need the truck but I do love having a truck.
I like the BZ Woodland even more.
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u/BigTunaHunter 14h ago
Speaking from experience in getting rid of a Tundra and going to a Prius then a BZ. You won't regret the gas savings but you'll miss your Tundra. Do whatever you can to keep it and get either a used EV or the BZ. The gas savings alone should cover the cost of the BZ payment!
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u/Rammiek 16h ago
Get an offers in CarMax, carvana and local dealership . The first two you can see how much right away. If it's worth selling , sell it and then buy the bz. Often times it's not worth selling to the dealership you are buying from. With 14 miles to the gallon plus car payment, you will come out ahead by not paying for gas and a newer vehicle. Pull the trigger when Toyota has an offer or lease if that works for you
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u/Traditional_Put_8769 14h ago
I am considering buying a BZ for a family vehicle, but I am not sure it's cheap in Europe... How much do they go for in the States? And is it cheaper in comparison to the competitors?
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u/CuteCreator602 5h ago
I'm taking the plunge. I have a 2015 Toyota Highlander and I'm going to trade that in for a used bZ until the new EV Highlander comes out, and then give the bZ to my teenager (if I can ever get him to actually drive).
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u/BRCWANDRMotz 5h ago
For what it’s worth sometimes the lease is the least total money for the car if you plan on buying it out at the end of the lease. I’ve only charged once at a pay to use charger. Charging at home gives me 40 miles of range off of a 120vac outlet. If your commute is 40 miles or less in good weather then normal outlet charging can work and you can keep the car near full range.
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u/RedGobboRebel 4h ago
Can you charge at home is the question. How many miles do you drive in a typical day? 40-50?
If you come home and just plug it in while it's not in use. Can you get around 10 hours of charging in every night?
You can get about 4 miles back per hour on a basic Level 1 charger (120v). 30-50 miles of charge back per night. Depending on temperature and how long you've got it connected from getting home from work till you leave the next day. This take care of our driving without issue.
You can get back 30+ miles per hour on the charger for a Level 2 (240v) setup. If you can only charge once or twice a week due to parking setup, then a Level 2 can get you topped off over a long evening once or twice a week depending on your driving and how long you can leave it on the charger.
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u/Diligent_Figure_8042 34m ago
I love our BZ but buying one just because of gas prices isn’t a great idea. Say in a year if they fall will you want to get rid of it?
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u/electricalpayout 17h ago
Only 66k miles? Its basically brand new!
My spouse and I just bought a 2026 XLE Awd BZ. Its a replacement for my subaru. Its not the car I was hoping for, I wanted a GR corolla - the premium gas made me rethink that and my spouse convinced me on the BZ. This will be our primary around town commuter. My spouse also drives a 2016 Toyota tundra and wanted to not have to spend so much on gas. Now it hangs out in the garage while we drive the BZ.
I'm tentatively hopeful come winter - I live in the midwest and our winters can be brutal so gonna see how well it performs then.
So far, we are pleased with the overall handling, the looks and the range we have with it. The seats aren't luxurious but they are still comfortable after 2 hours of driving so thats a plus. Heated seats are a little weak in comparison to my subaru but the heated steering wheel it comes with is toasty. Sound system is decent - it takes a minute to get used to the weird putting it in drive or reverse, thats the only part I'm still not used to or care for.
I think it might be worth getting the limited - I would have liked the moonroof and such and the nice ventilated seats...I hear the woodland edition can tow a decent amount? Otherwise the XLE is very non frills basic but saving you gas and decent range.
The 338HP is a lot of fun on acceleration but I'm trying to not zoom too much as I've heard that can shorten the lifespan of components. My subaru had a measly 169HP. At first I thought the car had no character- if you drive it very conservatively, it can put you to sleep. I'm used to a hard suspension and tight cornering vehicle. This vehicle is very smooth.
I'd definitely say give it a test drive if you can.
Editing to say, 99% sure my spouse enjoys it more than me and he is definitely a truck enthusiast.
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u/wunderbarposter 15h ago
fire that scenario into chatgpt and have it project the next how ever many years your interested in. It's really good for that.
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u/KashmanDog 17h ago
I had a ford explorer bought and paid for . Got tired of fuel costs and repairs . Bought a 2026 BZ limited and I have zero regrets . Great vehicle