Would Toyota's bZ3 sedan be a hit at this price? Japanese brand's much-hyped Tesla Model 3-challenging EV detailed as it launches in China

The Toyota bZ3 - the Camry-sized sedan equivalent to the RAV4-sized bZ4X SUV in Toyota’s upcoming family of electric vehicles - has launched in China.

The launch comes with keen pricing for its three-variant range, as well as a long driving range courtesy of an unprecedented team-up between Toyota and BYD.

Using BYD’s blade battery technology, the bZ3 has launched to the Chinese market with three variants. The base Elite PRO starts from the equivalent of AUD$40,590 and allows a cruising range of 517km from its 49.92kWh battery pack according to the CLTC procedure, which is slightly more forgiving than the WLTP standard more widely used in Australia.

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Meanwhile, the Long Range Pro starts from the equivalent of roughly AUD$45,000 but offers an increase in battery capacity to 65.28kWh, for an impressive driving range of 616km.

The top-grade for the Chinese market is the Long Range Premium which starts from the equivalent of roughly AUD$47,000, although appears to only increase standard specification slightly.

The base sedan offers single-motor rear-drive, with 135kW on tap, while higher variants are said to offer an improvement in power outputs to 180kW. The excellent range and low price are said to be courtesy of both the more affordable lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries from BYD, but also a trim drag coefficient of 0.218Cd and a new battery coolant system designed for this car by Toyota.

Further details, such as charging time, full motor outputs, and details of the car’s grade walk have not yet been revealed, but the interior features a huge portrait-oriented multimedia screen, a rotary shifter on a raised console, a small digital dashboard, and the same steering wheel and general dash design which appears on the larger bZ4X and related Subaru Solterra.

In terms of actual dimensions, the bZ3 comes in at 4725mm long, 1835mm wide, and 1475mm high, making it slightly smaller than the Camry, more akin in dimensions to the Lexus IS. It is offered with either 16- or 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights as standard, as well as USB-C throughout the cabin, and what appears to be synthetic leather trim in all grades.

Inside is a large portrait-oriented multimedia screen.

Toyota has remained tight-lipped on its launch plans for the bZ range of EVs in Australia, only hoping that it will launch the bZ4X Down Under as soon as possible. If the bZ3 does arrive in Australia, expect it to be slightly different from the car revealed in China, as this one not only benefits from BYD technology in its battery pack, but is also built as part of a joint venture with one of Toyota’s partners in China, FAW.

Impressively, the version of the bZ3 offered in China comes with free maintenance for the first 10 years or 200,000km, free roadside assistance, and the brand is targeting a battery capacity of 90 per cent at the 10 year mark for the new model.

Stay tuned as we keep an eye on all of Toyota’s electric vehicle plans in 2023.