Toyota’s joint venture in China, FAW-Toyota, recently launched the bZ3 Smart Home Edition, a new electric sedan priced competitively starting at around $13,650. This vehicle targets buyers seeking advanced electric mobility with smart features, all at an accessible price point.
The bZ3 Smart Home Edition closely resembles its predecessor in exterior design, featuring Toyota’s signature "hammerhead" front fascia. A notable addition is the rooftop Lidar sensor, enhancing the car’s autonomous driving capabilities.
Advanced Driver Assistance System
The sedan comes equipped with the Momenta 5.0 driver assistance system. This system includes over 30 Navigation on Autopilot (NOA) features tailored for city streets, highways, and long-distance parking. The technology integrates 32 sensors in total: 1 Lidar, 5 millimeter-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic radars, and 11 cameras, all powered by a processing chip capable of 544 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This setup aims to enhance both safety and convenience for drivers.
Specifications and Performance
The bZ3 Smart Home Edition maintains medium-sized sedan dimensions with a length of 4,725 mm, width of 1,835 mm, height of 1,475 mm, and a wheelbase measuring 2,880 mm. Toyota introduced a new exterior color named Dark Cloud Green to diversify styling options.
The vehicle is front-wheel drive with a single electric motor. Two trims are available:
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Joy Variant: Equipped with a 135 kW motor and a 49.9 kWh BYD Blade battery, offering an estimated range of 517 km based on the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC).
- Pro Variant: Features a 180 kW (241 horsepower) motor paired with a larger 65.3 kWh battery, providing up to 616 km of range (CLTC).
Fast DC charging technology allows the battery to charge from 30% to 80% in just 27 minutes, minimizing downtime for users.
Interior and Technology
Inside, the cabin highlights a 15.6-inch horizontal infotainment display, which is a significant upgrade from the previous 12.8-inch vertical screen. The digital instrument cluster has a rectangular design, and a traditional steering wheel is used. This layout balances modern digital interaction with familiar controls for driver comfort.
Pricing and Market Position
In China, the bZ3 Smart Home Edition is priced as follows:
- Joy: 109,800 yuan (approximately $15,200)
- Pro: 129,800 yuan (approximately $18,000)
These price points position the sedan as an affordable yet sophisticated option among electric vehicles, underlining Toyota’s strategy to expand its electric vehicle offerings in competitive markets.
The Toyota bZ3 Smart Home Edition combines modern driver-assistance technologies with practical range and fast charging, making it a noteworthy contender in the affordable electric sedan segment. Its balance of advanced features, solid driving range, and accessible pricing could appeal to consumers transitioning to electric vehicles.
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