Corolla-like Toyota bZ3 sedan: What we know [Update]

Update: ‘Price & Release Date’ section updated.

Following the Toyota bZ4X electric SUV, Toyota has introduced a Toyota bZ sedan EV called Toyota bZ3. According to a report Reuters released on December 3, 2021, the Toyota bZ sedan EV is only for the Chinese market. Here’s everything you need to know about the Toyota electric sedan:

Design

The Toyota bZ3 is a pure-electric compact sedan, a zero-emissions alternative to the globally popular Toyota Corolla. Toyota, BYD Toyota Electric Vehicle Technology, a joint venture between Toyota and BYD, and FAW Toyota jointly developed the model for China.

Front

The bZ3 features the bZ signature hammerhead shark-like design format, and it has a relaxed silhouette focused on space. The exterior of the car is nearly identical to the bZ SDN concept showcased at Toyota’s Beyond Zero presentation in December 2021.

Like the show car, the bZ3 features a low curvy bonnet with muscles on the flanks, L-shaped headlamps, and an intake on the chin. The concave nose section leaves the car with a shark-like, vigorous impression. The corner pieces of the bumper feature an imprint along with horizontal lines. The top-end variant features the concept’s four-eyed, jewel-type multi-LED projector headlights.

Side

On the sides, the bZ3’s wheels are smaller, 18-inch units, but the design is similar to the concept. The base configuration has 16-inch wheels and basic headlamps. Bold sculpting on the door panels, flush-fitting door handles, a long, curvy greenhouse with a particularly large, triangular quarter glass, and a smoothly sloping roofline that looks more aerodynamic than that of the Corolla sedan are the other visual highlights.

Rear

At the rear, a full-width tail lamp extends to the car’s shoulders to give it an aggressive style. The sleek, short deck and stubby lower portion of the tail lend a modern look to this coupe-like sedan. Up top, the production car features a regular-sized sunroof.

Interior

One would expect the Toyota bZ3 to share its interior with the bZ4X in the interest of cost and time, but that’s not the case. While the layout is the same, the design is completely unique.

Unlike the bZ4X, the Toyota electric sedan has a dashboard that looks slim and wide, a squircle steering wheel with what looks like a camera to monitor driver attention, a floating center console with a chic design and a portrait touchscreen infotainment system, and a wide digital instrument cluster. The driver and front passenger can use the vertical display for AC, windows, music, trunk release, and other controls.

Toyota developed the bZ3 with a ‘Family Lounge’ theme in mind, meaning space and entertainment were the focus areas. The car’s large windows let plenty of light in. Plus, there is generous knee room for the rear seat passenger. The new electric sedan has a sunroof, armrest, and rear AC vents as well.

Specifications

Based on the e-TNGA platform, the Toyota bZ3 is 4,725 mm (186.0 in.) long, 1,835 mm (72.2 in.) wide, and 1,480 mm (58.3 in.) tall. It has a wheelbase of 2,880 mm (113.4 in.), slightly longer than the Tesla Model 3. It is available in standard-range and extended-range variants. The standard-range variant has a 135 kW (181 hp) powertrain and the extended-range variant has a 180 kW (241 hp) powertrain. However, the top speed is the same regardless of the powertrain – 160 km/h (99 mph).

FAW-Toyota offers two battery options in the bZ3. The standard-range variant has a 49.9 kWh LFP battery pack that delivers a CLTC range of 517 kilometers (321 miles). The extended-range variant uses a 65.3 kWh LFP battery pack that returns a CLTC range of 616 kilometers (383 miles). It’s likely the Blade battery, as the manufacturer is Wuwei Fudi Battery, which is a subsidiary of BYD. After all, Toyota has developed the electric sedan in partnership with BYD.

The Blade battery, which is marketed as “ultra-safe,” is low-cost and is 5-10 cm thinner than conventional EV batteries, opening up more room in the interior.

Production

Production of the Toyota bZ3 has started. FAW-Toyota manufactures the electric sedan at a new energy vehicle factory in the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City. According to a Reuters report published on September 28, 2022, the company plans to make 30,000 units of this model annually.

Price & Release Date

The Toyota bZ3 is available in three configurations in China: Elite Pro, Long battery life Pro, and Long battery life Premium. Its prices start at CNY 169,800 (USD 24,622) and go up to CNY 199,800 (USD 28,972). In comparison, the bZ4X’s prices begin at the same figure where the bZ3 tops out – CNY 199,800 (USD 28,972) – and goes up to CNY 284,800 (USD 41,298).

According to a report IT之家 published on April 16, 2023, the day FAW-Toyota launched the Toyota bZ3, the company received 5,000 orders for the new electric sedan. The new Toyota EV should rival the VW ID.7 fastback and its upcoming sedan counterpart from SAIC-Volkswagen, previewed by the VW ID.Next concept.

Toyota sedans are still popular in the U.S.

Bob Carter, Toyota’s top sales executive in the United States, reiterated the brand’s focus on ‘cars’ (referring to sedans in the traditional sense) during a press briefing on April 6, 2022, reports Bloomberg. While global sales trends are increasingly favoring SUVs and crossovers, Toyota sedans like the Corolla and the Camry continue to be popular options for communities like Asian and Hispanic car buyers in America as they are generally more affordable than SUVs or pickups.

Let’s not forget the advantages sedans have over SUVs; they’re more aerodynamic, which improves range, and they have a lower center of gravity, which means better handling. The popularity of ‘cars’ could be a confidence booster for Toyota’s all-electric bZ sedan. Moreover, the Ioniq 6 and the VW Aero B have been confirmed for the U.S., and both Nissan and Infiniti will launch locally-manufactured sedans in 2025.

Also Read: Toyota bZ5/bZ6 fastback sedan, a futuristic Camry electric, teased

TopElectricSUV says

Following gas, gas-electric, diesel, and fuel cell vehicle launches, the Toyota bZ3 is a new type of sedan for the company, positioned above the Prius and Corolla, offering fully-electric mobility. A more spacious vehicle than the Tesla Model 3 but priced lower, the bZ3 appeals to families on a budget who do not mind comparatively lower performance and range characteristics. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like any plans are in place to sell this car outside of China.

Toyota bZ3 FAQs

Featured Image Source: Toyota

Suvrat Kothari Freelance Assistant Editor

I’m an automotive journalist with 4 years of experience in magazine and digital publishing, content creation, social media management and YouTube. A car enthusiast who converted my passion into a profession!