Toyota just pulled the wraps off its sleek new electric sedan, the bZ7—and honestly, it looks amazing. The catch? It’s only being released in China. This stylish ride is Toyota’s new flagship EV, and it’s bigger than a Camry and arguably more luxurious than anything else in the bZ lineup so far. What’s even more interesting is that it seems to go head-to-head with the new Lexus ES EV, even though both cars are made by Toyota.
The bZ7 has a really polished design, with smooth lines, a fastback-style rear, and a minimalist interior that even includes wood trim—definitely aimed at a more premium feel. It’s about the same size as a BMW i5, so it’s a fairly big sedan, and while Toyota hasn’t shared much about the specs yet, they did confirm it’s over 5 meters long. Under the hood (or floor, in this case), it’s built on a different platform from the Lexus ES—possibly one co-developed with GAC, the Chinese automaker that’s also handling production.
What makes this even more noteworthy is that Toyota usually focuses on SUVs and crossovers globally, so launching a big sedan like this exclusively in China shows just how important that market is to them. The bZ7 is expected to launch sometime next year, and with Toyota reportedly moving away from the bZ name for future EVs, this could be the final chapter in the bZ story.
Specifically designed for the Chinese market, the bZ7 is Toyota’s top electric car.
- The most fashionable vehicle with the bZ insignia to date.
- Its distinguishing characteristic is a low front and a fastback-style rear with a sleek, aerodynamic body.
- The interior has a straightforward design that is reminiscent of the new Lexus ES and wood trim.
Market Positioning
- Competes directly with the new Lexus ES, although both are from the same parent company.
- The bZ7 is positioned as more luxurious and spacious than the Camry.
Mechanical Differences
- The bZ7 and Lexus ES share no mechanical components.
- ES rides on Toyota’s updated TNGA platform; bZ7 has a different, unspecified architecture.
- Likely based on a platform co-developed with GAC, which is also manufacturing it.
Size & Specs
- Over 5 meters (196 inches) long—comparable to a BMW i5.
- Specific specs, battery, and performance details not yet disclosed.
Similar Models
- Based on GAC's Aion V, Toyota's bZ3X SUV is also only available in China.
- The top-tier Aion LX crossover from GAC, which is marginally smaller than the bZ7, has a 144 kWh battery and 400 horsepower.
Launch Schedule & Prospects
- Next year, bZ7 is anticipated to debut in China.
- It may be the final model to use the bZ name because Toyota intends to phase it out.
- Later this year, more information will be made public, including potential market expansion.
