The Toyota bZ3 sedan received a mild refresh for 2026, introducing improved driving assist functions
Toyota has been steadily expanding its EV lineup in North America and Europe, but not every model makes the cut outside China. Among the ones that stay away is the bZ3, a compact electric sedan built by FAW Toyota, which has now received a series of 2026 model year updates while keeping its price attractively low.
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Launched in October 2022, the bZ3 was Toyota’s first fully electric sedan. The 2024 version already brought improved driver-assistance tech, yet the company has gone a step further for 2026, layering in new features without losing sight of its original purpose.
What’s New?
The refreshed model goes by the name Toyota bZ3 Smart Home Edition and, visually, it sticks closely to the outgoing version. The most notable change is a roof-mounted LiDAR unit, which increases the total number of onboard sensors to 32. This paves the way for more advanced autonomous features, although the tech remains classified at Level 2.
Beyond that, exterior updates are limited to a fresh paint option called Dark Cloud Green and slightly simplified LED taillight graphics. Size-wise, nothing has changed. The bZ3 still measures 4,725 mm (186 inches) long with a 2,880 mm (113.4 inch) wheelbase, putting it just ahead of China’s long-wheelbase Corolla sedans in footprint.
Bigger Screen, Better Hardware Inside
The interior gets a more meaningful upgrade, starting with a new 15.6-inch portrait-style infotainment screen replacing the old 12.8-inch unit. It pairs with a carry-over digital instrument cluster and is bolstered by a suite of tech features including ambient lighting, dual wireless charging pads, a panoramic sunroof, and AI voice assistance.
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Under the surface, the 2026 bZ3 adopts Nvidia 5.0 enhancements and a fresh Snapdragon processor capable of 544 trillion operations per second, giving the system a healthy jump in computing capability.
Despite the stronger hardware, the car remains officially rated for Level 2 autonomy, same as before. The update does, however, bring new remote parking features with memory recall, plus improved assistance for both city and highway driving.
Up to 241 HP
Built on Toyota’s e-TNGA platform, the bZ3 uses BYD’s Blade battery technology and comes in two powertrain configurations. One version features a single motor producing 181 hp (135 kW / 184 PS), while the other bumps output to 241 hp (180 kW / 245 PS).
The lower-powered model pairs with a 49.9 kWh battery, yielding a CLTC-rated range of 517 km (321 miles). The more powerful variant steps up to a 65.3 kWh pack, stretching the range to 616 km (383 miles).
Pricing and Availability
Currently, the FAW Toyota bZ3 Smart Home is priced from a discounted ¥93,800 ($13,400), though this deal won’t stick around. That price makes it the most affordable EV wearing a Toyota badge in China, even undercutting the mechanically-related bZ3X SUV.
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Regular pricing starts at ¥109,800 ($15,700) for the entry-level bZ3 Smart Home Joy and ¥129,800 ($18,600) for the Pro. If you want the more powerful motor and the longer range you can get the Pro+ for ¥139,800 ($20,000), or the flagship Max for ¥159,800 ($22,800).
Chinese buyers can currently choose from five Toyota EVs built locally through the brand’s joint ventures with FAW and GAC. The lineup includes the bZ3 sedan, the bZ3X SUV, the bZ4X SUV, the bZ5 coupe-style crossover, and the bZ7 flagship sedan.
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Thanos Pappas, a product design engineer by trade, has been wading through automotive journalism for… Read full bio

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