The Toyota BZ3 Debuts As A China-Only EV Sedan, With 372 Miles Of Range

This China-only EV Toyota sedan deserves a home here in North America, too.

The mystery Toyota EV sedan leaked in Chinese patent photos finally has been unveiled officially; the Toyota bZ3. The sleek sedan would be the second production model in Toyota’s “Beyond Zero” initiative, slotting underneath the bZ4x compact crossover. Underneath, the bZ3 uses the same E-TNGA platform as the bZ4x.

Outside, the bZ3’s exterior styling looks like a logical progression from what we’ve all seen on the bZ4x, albeit in sedan form here. Even with the complicated exterior styling, the bZ3 manages a super-slippery 0.218 drag coefficient.

Inside, the bZ3’s interior looks fairly similar to the bZ4X. A big screen takes up most of the dashboard’s real estate, a design choice that Toyota calls the “Digital Island.” A small, skinny gauge cluster screen sits in front of the steering wheel.

There’s no word on power figures or battery capacity, but we do know that the Toyota bZ3 is using LFP (lithium iron phosphate) developed by BYD. Specifically, the bZ3 uses the unique, “blade battery” design from BYD, which claims to save space and is more puncture resistant in the event of an accident. The range for bZ3 is claimed to be 600 kilometers 372 miles), albeit on China’s notoriously gentle CLTC cycle.

Although this car will be made by FAW-Toyota and only sold in China, the sedan’s form factor, theoretically lower price compared to the bZ4x, could make it an intriguing option if it were sold in North America. Toyota’s severely lacking in EV options, and the market is very thirsty for EVs of every size and shape.

Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here