The Toyota bZ3 is an electric sedan and is the second electric car in the "bZ" family after the bZ4X SUV. The car is based on the e-TNGA platform and was co-developed with Toyota, FAW Toyota and BYD with the latter providing a battery pack and electric motor to power the bZ3.
The new 4.7-meter sedan joins the mid-range segment and with a wheelbase of nearly 2.9 meters will compete with the Tesla Model 3 and Nio ET5. There are two power options - 135kW or 180kW. Power is sent to the rear wheels by a single electric motor which likely makes this more powerful 240hp model a pleasure to drive.
The Blade LFP battery packs provided by BYD are available in two sizes - 49.92kWh or 65.28kWh with a CLTC certified range of 517km and 616km, respectively. Toyota claims to have used "electrification expertise" to reduce battery degradation and promises that the bZ3's battery will maintain 90% capacity after 10 years.
The interior was developed based on the Family Lounge concept and according to the company should provide a space to enjoy time with family and friends. From the photos we can conclude that it is clean and tidy with neutral colors and lots of light thanks to the large windows.
Toyota's Digital Island system integrates a large center screen with a tray-like console, the driver gets a dedicated digital cluster and the steering wheel is nearly identical to that on the bZ4X. There is wireless charging for the phone, voice control, and almost all car functions can be controlled from within this one location.
No official delivery date has yet been given, the car will be manufactured by FAW Toyota in China and will be sold through its dealer network. Reuters reported last month the car will go into production before the end of this year with sales soon to follow with a target price of $28,000, but that has not been officially confirmed or rejected.