For me, the BZ is an SUV. It's about the same size as a Lexus RX350. (which for all intents) is a slightly shortened Highlander. Though for a short while Lexus had a lengthened one called the RX350L which was a standard Highlander chassis 3 row. About the only thing I would give up is the 3rd row and I can't remember the last time I used it.
The thing with the Prius (older ones) I knew a lot of folks who had them. To a person, they all loved them. But they were sort of "quirky" themselves
![Big grin :D :D](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f600.png)
(no offense). Seems now in the latest generation Toyota has gone to lengths to "normalize" it.
Also I haven't owned a boat now for 4 years and looks like that was my last one
Also now I am retired. So there is no more driving high speed 135 miles round trip to & from O'Hare every day, or back and forth to Minneapolis. (when I was based there as a flight attendant). Which all of those applications would preclude an electric or hell even a hybrid. As I've noticed owning our RAV4 doing high speed highways driving is not it's forte'. Since fuel economy drops down to ICE numbers. Hybrids and electrics truly lose their advantage in these applications.
But over 90% of our driving now is for the wife, to-from work (8 miles each way suburban driving), and grocery getter. For me, (I guess I'll be principal BZ driver), it's mostly grocery getter, run to Menards, or going out to see my best bud and or my dad. Between 65-80 round trip miles 90% 2 lane country roads. All of which are ideal and right in the wheel house of a BEV or Hybrid.
And there is still a chance I won't pull the trigger on the BZ. If I get bad news from my insurance agent, it's out. Not gonna eat huge insurance premium. If it's more like the RAV4, that will be good. Also wife hasn't seen or driven yet. I need to let her weigh in with actual drive not just a tacit "nod". So either one of those things could nix the deal.
And part of me feels like I'm turning my back on a trusted old friend with the Highlander. After all it's 14 years old nearly 190k miles, and it's been as flawless a vehicle as you could ever ask for. The only repairs ever done to it since new were 2 service campaigns by Toyota. Tailgate hinge reinforcements added when brand new, and at just over 100k engine oil cooler lines upgraded to steel. Both on Toyota's "nickel".
But I also get this nagging feeling, at nearly 190k in the rust belt somewhere down the line SOMETHING has to go. a strut, AC line, or a water pump, what have you. All of which would be $2000-$3000 cost to repair/replace. If not from wear/tear from corrosion.
It's also a bit of a gas hog. With MPG avg anywhere from 15mpg to 19mpg depending on the season. So, I'm just looking ahead at possibilities.