Toyota's first modern EV, the bZ4X, landed with a shrug. For 2026 the company retired that name, reworked the car, and rebadged it simply the bZ. Ever host Andrew Lamrech puts the two side by side and argues the newer car is better in nearly every measurable way. The headline numbers: the base 2026 bZ starts at $36,495, well under the 2023 bZ4X's $43,315, while offering more range from a bigger optional battery, a native Tesla style NACS charging port, and a much stronger DC charging curve. In Ever's own test the bZ went 10 to 80 percent in 26 minutes, beating Toyota's 28 minute claim, and added about 220 miles of rated range in that time.
The bZ4X's core problem, in Ever's framing, was charging. The channel says the all wheel drive version needed about an hour to go 10 to 80 percent, unacceptable for a car that arrived in 2023. The bZ addresses that directly. The most consequential change is one the video treats almost in passing: the switch to a native NACS port, which means no adapter needed at a Tesla Supercharger. That matters more than any single spec, because charging access has become a bigger real world differentiator than peak kilowatts. It also reflects the wider industry move to NACS, which Toyota is now following rather than leading. For buyers, the practical read is that the bZ finally plugs into the largest reliable fast charging network in North America without extra hardware. The cabin gets a similar tidy up. Ever points out the bZ4X's awkward gauge cluster placement and its heavy use of fingerprint prone piano black plastic, both of which the newer car dials back with ambient lighting, a dual hinged center console and dual wireless phone chargers.
On the numbers, Ever reports the base bZ using a 57.7 kWh battery for 236 miles of EPA range, with a larger 74.7 kWh pack in the XLE Plus and all wheel drive trims good for up to 314 miles front wheel drive and 288 all wheel drive. Efficiency improves to a claimed 4.2 miles per kWh on the big battery front driver, which the channel calls roughly a 19 percent gain over the old car. Charging peaks at 150 kW, same as before, but the channel says the curve holds over 100 kW to about 65 percent, which is the real improvement. For contrast, Ever says it tested a 2026 Tesla Model Y standard at 31 minutes for the same 10 to 80 percent run despite a higher 225 kW peak. AC charging rises to 48 amps, or 11 kW. Power ranges from 168 horsepower on the base car to 338 in the all wheel drive XLE Plus, which Ever times at under five seconds to 60, and the new car sheds about 110 pounds versus the old front driver. Outside, the bZ gets a full width light bar and reshaped lighting. The cabin gains standard heated seats, a 14 inch screen, a power driver's seat, and four levels of adjustable regen, though the host notes there is still no one pedal driving on any Toyota or Subaru EV.
Bottom line: The bZ is the rare follow up that fixes the actual complaints instead of just restyling the bumpers. It is cheaper, charges properly, goes farther, and finally plugs into Superchargers without an adapter. If you dismissed the bZ4X, this is worth a second look. And there is a value angle Ever raises worth repeating: the improvements have pushed used bZ4X prices toward $20,000, where a car that was never competitive new starts to make sense as a cheap, durable second EV. Buy the new one for the charging, consider the old one only at a steep discount.
Commentary on a third-party video. Figures and claims are as presented in the source and have not been independently verified. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.