Toyota has taken a bold step in the electric vehicle race by launching the bZ3 Smart Home Edition in China—an electric sedan that is turning heads primarily because of its unexpectedly low price.

The new model is priced from 109,800 yuan (roughly Rp262 million), positioning it as one of the most affordable electric sedans in its class. The bZ3 is the result of Toyota’s partnership with China’s FAW Group and has been developed exclusively for the Chinese market.

Originally introduced in 2022 and refreshed in 2024, the Smart Home Edition represents the most advanced and cost-competitive version of the bZ3 so far.

Two variants, aggressive pricing

Toyota is offering the bZ3 Smart Home Edition in two variants. The Joy version starts at 109,800 yuan, while the more powerful Pro variant is priced at 129,800 yuan (around Rp309 million).

At this price point, industry observers note that if the bZ3 were sold in the United States, it could easily undercut every new electric car currently on sale there—especially as the sub-$20,000 new car segment has nearly disappeared.

For comparison, Nissan recently discontinued the Versa, once the cheapest new car in the US at $18,330, while Mitsubishi ended production of the Mirage in late 2024.

Advanced tech at a budget price

Despite its affordability, the bZ3 Smart Home Edition comes packed with technology. It features the Momenta 5.0 driving assistance system, offering Level 2 autonomous capabilities.

To support this, Toyota has equipped the car with 32 sensors, including a roof-mounted LiDAR unit, millimeter-wave radars, ultrasonic sensors, and multiple cameras. These are powered by a high-performance computing chip delivering up to 544 TOPS of processing power.

Design, dimensions, and performance

Visually, the bZ3 has been refreshed with Toyota’s latest “hammerhead” front-end design, while the rear now features vertical taillights instead of the earlier horizontal layout. A new exterior color, Dark Cloud Green, has also been added.

Dimensionally, the car remains unchanged, measuring 4,725 mm in length, 1,835 mm in width, and 1,475 mm in height, with a 2,880 mm wheelbase—typical proportions for a modern electric sedan.

The Joy variant uses a front-mounted electric motor producing 181 horsepower, paired with a 49.9 kWh lithium iron phosphate Blade battery supplied by BYD, offering a claimed range of 517 km under Chinese testing standards.

The Pro version steps up to 241 horsepower and a larger 65.3 kWh battery, extending the range to 616 km on a single charge.

Cabin and launch timeline

Inside, the bZ3 Smart Home Edition offers a futuristic cabin featuring a 15.6-inch horizontal touchscreen, an additional 12.8-inch display, a digital instrument cluster, ambient lighting, and an AI-powered voice assistant.

Toyota says the model will soon enter mass production, with sales to begin in China in the first quarter of 2026.

With its aggressive pricing, long range, and advanced technology, the bZ3 Smart Home Edition signals how serious Toyota has become about making electric cars affordable—at least in China.