Discover the Toyota bZ3, a budget-friendly electric sedan with advanced features like LiDAR! Learn more and explore the future of EV driving.
Toyota has unveiled the bZ3 Smart Home Edition, a new all-electric sedan designed for the Chinese market. This vehicle is generating significant buzz thanks to its remarkably affordable price point – comparable to the Toyota Wigo in Vietnam – and its impressive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including a LiDAR sensor.
A Game-Changing Price Tag
Developed and distributed through the FAW Toyota joint venture, the bZ3 Smart Home Edition boasts a starting price of approximately 109,800 Chinese Yuan (roughly $15,000 USD, equivalent to the price of a Wigo in Vietnam). Current promotions in China are even bringing the price down further. This makes the bZ3 one of the most affordable Toyota-branded electric sedans ever offered.
Advanced Technology at an Accessible Price
The standout feature of the bZ3 Smart Home Edition is its comprehensive ADAS package. The vehicle is equipped with a LiDAR sensor mounted on the roof, working in conjunction with a camera and radar system comprising over 30 sensors. This system runs on the Momenta 5.0 platform, providing features like lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, highway and urban driving assistance, and automated parking. While still classified as Level 2 autonomous driving, the inclusion of LiDAR in a budget-friendly EV is a rare and noteworthy achievement.
Sleek Design and Modern Interior
The Toyota bZ3 features a modern, aerodynamic sedan design with a minimalist front end and sleek LED headlights. The interior has been upgraded with a large 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, voice control, and convenient features like wireless charging and a panoramic sunroof.
Performance and Range
The Toyota bZ3 utilizes a Blade battery supplied by BYD, and is available with two electric motor options. The standard version delivers approximately 181 horsepower, paired with a nearly 50 kWh battery, offering a range of over 500 km (CLTC cycle). The higher-performance version produces around 241 horsepower, with a 65 kWh battery, achieving a range exceeding 600 km (CLTC cycle). The vehicle supports DC fast charging, capable of replenishing the battery from 30% to 80% in under 30 minutes under standard conditions.
A Competitive Edge in the Chinese Market
Compared to the Toyota Corolla in China, the bZ3 is significantly more affordable and offers superior electric performance and technology. Currently, the sedan is exclusively available in the Chinese market, with no official announcements regarding exports to other regions.
Toyota’s New Strategy
The launch of the bZ3, a low-cost EV equipped with LiDAR and numerous ADAS features, signals a new strategy for Toyota in China, a fiercely competitive electric vehicle market. The bZ3 Smart Home Edition is a step towards expanding Toyota’s customer base and solidifying its position in the popularization of electric vehicles in the mainstream segment.