Toyota is seeking a bigger share of the world's largest EV market with a new low-cost EV. Now available for pre-orders in China, the Toyota bZ3X electric SUV starts at just $13,800 (100,000 yuan).
Pre-orders for Toyota bZ3X electric SUV open in China
Although Toyota has only one fully electric vehicle, the bZ4X, in the global market, the company is launching several new EVs in China.
The bZ3X electric SUV was launched at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show alongside the bZ3C sedan. Toyota calls the new electric SUV “family oriented” with a “Cozy Mobile Home” interior.
Toyota's joint venture, GAC-Toyota, has officially opened pre-orders for the bZ3X blind, starting at just under $14,000 (100,000 yuan). Available in three models (430 Air+, 520 Pro+, and 620 Max), pre-order prices range from 100,000 yuan to 200,000 yuan ($23,800 to $27,500).
Like the bZ3C, the new electric SUV is designed specifically for Chinese consumers. A modern take on Toyota's inherited architecture, the new EV is “excellent, light and elegant.” With “new Chinese style,” the interior is simple but loaded with new technology.
Toyota's bZ3X is the first to be equipped with the Momenta 5.0 Intelligent Driving System. Powered by NVIDIA Drive AGX Orin X, this car includes 25 ADAS features, such as high speed driver, low traffic assist, and automatic parking.
GAC-Toyota said it will be “one of the first automakers in the world to adopt a one-to-one intelligent driving model.”
The front and rear seats are in the “Cozy Mobile Home,” which provides about 10 feet (3 m) of sleeping or storage space. Also on the inside are a 14.6″ infotainment system with voice recognition, an 8.8″ LCD display for the driver, and a two-spoke steering wheel.
Powered by a 50.03 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, the electric SUV has a CLTC range of up to 430 km (267 miles). Although yet to be announced, the other two models are expected to reach 520 km (323 miles) and 620 km (385 km) CLTC ranges, respectively.
At 4,600 mm long, 1,875 mm wide, and 1,645 mm tall, Toyota's bZ3X is almost the same size as BYD's Yuan Plus (Atto 3) at 4,455 mm long, 1,875 mm wide, and 1,615 mm tall. The BYD Yuan Plus starts at around $16,500 (119,800 yuan)
GAC-Toyota will officially launch the bZ3X in China next March. Interested buyers can put down a deposit of 2,000 yuan ($275) for the shipment.
For those in the US, we'll have to wait a little longer for a new Toyota EV model after the company delayed its first three-row electric SUV until 2026.
Source: CarNewsChina, GAC-Toyota
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