Toyota is aggressively pursuing a larger footprint in the world’s leading electric vehicle market, China, by challenging budget-friendly EV leaders like BYD. The automotive giant has officially launched its most affordable electric vehicle to date in China, the Bz3x, with prices starting at an incredibly competitive $15,000. The debut of this new electric SUV was met with overwhelming enthusiasm, causing server crashes as over 10,000 orders flooded in within the first hour.
Introducing Toyota’s Groundbreaking bZ3X Electric SUV in China
The bz3x marks a significant milestone for Toyota as their “first 100,000 yuan-level pure electric SUV” in the Chinese market, representing their most accessible EV offering to date.
GAC-Toyota, Toyota’s joint venture in China, officially launched the “Bozhi 3X,” or bz3x for brevity, on March 6th. The market response was immediate and powerful. Shortly after the launch and price announcement – revealing a starting point just above $15,000 (109,800 yuan) – the company reported that the sheer volume of orders for the new electric SUV caused their servers to buckle under the pressure.
The initial surge of over 10,000 orders within a single hour underscores the immense interest in the bz3x. This successful launch follows a period of blind pre-orders that began in December, hinting at the pent-up demand for an affordable Toyota EV in China. Those pre-orders started at an even lower price point of just under $14,000 (100,000 yuan), further fueling anticipation.
Image: Front view of the Toyota bZ3X, Toyota’s most affordable electric SUV launched in China, showcasing its modern design.
The bz3x is offered in two main configurations, differing primarily in their intelligent driving capabilities. The base model, without the full suite of smart driving technology, starts at 109,800 yuan ($15,000) and comes in five distinct trim levels. For those seeking advanced driver assistance, the smart driving model is available from 149,800 yuan ($20,500).
Image: The Toyota bZ3X is unveiled at its launch event in China, highlighting GAC-Toyota’s commitment to the EV market.
For customers prioritizing range, the top-tier “610 Max” trim, priced at 159,800 yuan ($22,000), boasts an impressive CLTC range of up to 610 km (379 miles) powered by a 67.92 kWh LFP battery. The entry-level “430 Air” version offers a range of up to 430 km (267 miles) with a 50.03 kWh LFP battery pack.
Toyota emphasizes the bz3x interior as a “mobile space as comfortable as home.” A key feature is the flexible seating arrangement, with both front and rear seats folding down to create a spacious cargo area nearly 10 feet (3 meters) long.
Image: Interior view of the Toyota bZ3X, emphasizing its spacious cabin and modern dashboard design, highlighting comfort and technology.
Image: Rear interior of the Toyota bZ3X, showcasing the legroom and overall cabin space designed for passenger comfort in the electric SUV.
Image: Close-up detail of the Toyota bZ3x exterior, focusing on its modern lines and SUV styling, appealing to the Chinese market.
Image: Dashboard and infotainment system of the Toyota bZ3X, showcasing the 14.6-inch screen and driver-centric cockpit layout.
Image: Front interior of the Toyota bZ3X, highlighting the driver and passenger seats, dashboard layout, and overall cabin environment.
Inside, the bz3x boasts a 14.6-inch infotainment screen with integrated voice recognition and an 8.8-inch digital driver display. The cabin also features a contemporary two-spoke multi-function steering wheel.
A notable technological advancement in the bz3x is its integration of the Momenta 5.0 Intelligent Driving System. Powered by the NVIDIA Drive AGX Orin X, this system provides 25 Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) features. These include functionalities like parallel parking assist, remote control parking, high-speed driving assistance, traffic jam assist, and blind spot monitoring, enhancing both convenience and safety.
Image: Side profile of the Toyota bZ3X electric SUV, demonstrating its compact SUV dimensions and modern vehicle silhouette.
Image: Front-angle view of the Toyota bZ3X, highlighting its front fascia, headlights, and overall SUV stance, appealing to EV buyers.
GAC-Toyota claims to be among the first global automakers to implement a “one-stage end-to-end intelligent driving model” in the bz3x. This advanced system is designed with “human-like intelligence,” enabling the vehicle to continuously learn and improve its driving capabilities over time through real-world use.
In terms of size, the bz3x measures 4,600 mm in length, 1,875 mm in width, and 1,645 mm in height. This makes Toyota’s cheapest EV in China roughly comparable in size to BYD’s popular Yuan Plus (known as Atto 3 in some markets), which measures 4,455 mm long, 1,875 mm wide, and 1,615 mm tall. With a starting price of 115,800 yuan ($16,000) for the BYD Yuan Plus, the bz3x enters the market as a slightly more affordable electric SUV option.
The Toyota bz3x represents a significant move by Toyota to capture a larger share of the burgeoning Chinese EV market. Its competitive pricing, coupled with Toyota’s reputation for quality and reliability, positions the bz3x as a compelling option for consumers seeking an affordable and technologically advanced electric SUV. The initial market response suggests that the bz3x is poised to be a major player in the Chinese EV landscape.
