The days when Toyota was known for making boring electric vehicles are gone for good. The Japanese automaker just revealed the Toyota bZ7, a stunning all-electric sedan that proves the company is ready to make a serious splash in the EV market. Expected to deliver around 592 horsepower and offer a range exceeding 404 miles on a single charge, this new model shows Toyota isn’t playing around anymore.
A bold statement at the Shanghai Auto Show
The Shanghai Auto Show has only been open for a couple of days, but it’s already delivered some major automotive news. This time, Toyota’s electric division takes center stage with the unveiling of the spectacular bZ7 sedan.
Many critics have labeled Toyota as being behind the curve when it comes to electrification. And yes, while the Japanese automaker has taken a more measured approach (which time has actually proven to be pretty smart), their electric lineup in Europe consists of just three battery-powered models.
But the situation in China tells a completely different story. There, Toyota offers a much wider range of electric vehicles with various body styles. The Shanghai Auto Show provided the perfect opportunity to introduce this exciting new model to the world.
It’s worth noting that many manufacturers are using this Chinese event to showcase models specifically developed for the Asian giant, which has become the current epicenter of the automotive industry. (Who would have thought that just a few years ago?)
Meet the Toyota bZ7: Japan’s answer to Tesla and Xiaomi
The newly unveiled bZ7 arrives with an ambitious goal: to challenge what might be the most eye-catching electric car on the market, the Xiaomi SU7, as well as the popular Tesla Model 3.
This new sedan stands as the brand’s flagship in the electric segment, at least for now. From a design standpoint, the Toyota bZ7 showcases the same design language we’ve seen in other products like the bZ4X and bZ3. In fact, it shares many similarities with the latter.
As with most electric vehicles, the interior of the bZ7 follows a minimalist approach. The centerpiece is a large digital screen in the middle of the dashboard, which displays content from the multimedia system powered by HarmonyOS (developed by Huawei).
The cabin features a perfectly round steering wheel with an elegant design, and a central console divided into two parts, including two wireless charging bases for smartphones. At first glance, the interior appears to be finished with high-quality materials and premium touches like wood trim.
Technology that goes beyond the ordinary
Huawei’s influence is evident in the technological department. Besides the operating system that powers the infotainment equipment, the bZ7 incorporates numerous cameras and a LiDAR system mounted on the sunroof.
This advanced tech suggests Toyota is serious about autonomous driving capabilities, though specific details haven’t been released yet. (I’m personally curious about how these features will translate to the US version, given our different regulatory framework.)
What can we expect under the hood?
Toyota is keeping mechanical information under wraps for now. All the same, the bZ7 is expected to offer several power levels, reaching up to about 592 horsepower in its most powerful version, along with a range exceeding 404 miles.
As mentioned, we’ll have to wait for more details about this new electric sedan from Toyota, but not for long. The Japanese company has confirmed that it will arrive in the Chinese market during the last quarter of 2025.
With the Toyota bZ7, the Japanese firm hopes to boost its sales in China, where the GAC-Toyota joint venture sold a total of 171,477 vehicles during the first quarter of the year, with 66,066 of those sold in March alone.
What does this mean for US consumers?
While the initial launch targets China, a US version seems likely given Toyota’s global strategy and the growing demand for electric sedans in North America. American consumers might see some tweaks to the infotainment system, as Huawei’s technology faces challenges in the US market.
The bZ7 would enter a fascinating segment in the US, competing not just with the Tesla Model 3 but also with newcomers like the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and established players like the BMW i4.
Pricing hasn’t been announced, but based on Toyota’s positioning strategy, we might expect the bZ7 to start somewhere in the $45,000-55,000 range before incentives.
Have you been waiting for Toyota to make a truly exciting electric vehicle? The wait appears to be over. The bZ7 signals a new chapter for the brand that has built its reputation on reliability but now seems ready to add “excitement” to its electric vocabulary.
We’ll keep you updated as more information becomes available about this striking new addition to Toyota’s electric lineup.
