The Chinese-market sedan
Markets: China only (FAW-Toyota joint venture)
The bZ3 was introduced in October 2022 and is sold exclusively in China. It was co-developed with BYD Auto through the BYD Toyota EV Technology (BTET) joint venture.
A notable collaboration — Toyota body and branding, BYD powertrain and battery technology. It represents Toyota’s pragmatic approach in China: adapt or lose market share. The interior skews more conventional than the bZ3X, but the BYD Blade battery brings excellent thermal stability and safety credentials.
Specifications
| Attribute | Detail |
| Platform | BYD Toyota EV (BTET) joint venture |
| Battery | 65.28 kWh (BYD Blade LFP) |
| Drivetrain | Single-motor RWD |
| Power | 268 hp (RWD) |
| Torque | N/A lb-ft |
| 0–60 mph | N/A |
| Range (EPA) | ~400-470 kms |
| Charging | N/A kW DC fast charging |
| Weight; Length | ~2,570 kg (5,665 lb); 4.98 m |
| Price | From: ¥169 800 ; $23 300 (USD) |
What we like
The 2026 Toyota bZ3 is a compact electric vehicle that offers solid performance and a spacious interior. What’s more, the improvements in battery technology, this makes it a competitive option in the electric vehicle market.
Meh…
The 2026 Toyota bZ3 has faced criticism for its performance and design, with some reviewers noting that it may not meet expectations compared to other electric vehicles. With its availability solely to the Chinese market, it limits access to hopefuls, globally.
Rivals
| Power (hp) | EPArange (km) | Starting price (Yuan) | |
| Toyota bZ3 (RWD; AWD) | 181-241 | 470 | ~¥ 800 |
| Tesla Model 3 RWD | 260 | 713 | ~¥ 500 |
| BYD Han EV | 225 | 610 | ~¥ 800 |
| Volkswagen ID.7 | 281 | 590 | ~¥ 800 |
| Nio ET5 (AWD) | 480 | 550 – 1000 | ~¥ 800 |
Rivals ranked
- Tesla Model 3
- BYD Han EV
- Volkswagen ID.7
- Nio ET5
| Year | Sales in China (units) |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 24,038 |
| 2024 | 44,394 |
| 2025 | 27,027 |
Verdict
Sold in the land of the ¥, the bZ3 is solid but its range and tech lag behind China’s aggressively priced domestic competitors. It’s a transitional model rather than a market-mover.
★★★ (due to lack of global access)
