Toyota wants a bigger share of the world’s largest EV market with a new low-cost EV rolling out. Now available for pre-orders in China, the Toyota bZ3X electric SUV starts at just $13,800 (100,000 yuan).
Toyota bZ3X electric SUV pre-orders open in China
Although Toyota only has one fully electric vehicle, the bZ4X, on the global market, the company is launching several new EVs in China.
The bZ3X electric SUV was unveiled 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, officially opened bZ3X blind pre-orders, starting at just under $14,000 (100,000 yuan). It’s available in three trims (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 specifically designed for Chinese buyers. With a modern take on Toyota’s inherited design, the new EV is “grand, simple and elegant.” With a “new Chinese style,” the interior is simple but loaded with new tech.
Toyota’s bZ3X is the first to be equipped with the Momenta 5.0 Intelligent Driving System. Powered by NVIDIA Drive AGX Orin X, the vehicle includes 25 ADAS features, such as high-speed pilot, light traffic assist, and automatic parking.
GAC-Toyota said it will “become one of the first automakers in the world to realize a one-stage end-to-end intelligent driving model.”
The front and rear seats lay flat for a “Cozy Mobile Home,” providing nearly 10 feet (3 m) of space for lying or storage. Other interior features include a 14.6″ infotainment system with voice recognition, an 8.8″ LCD driver display, and a two-spoke multi-function 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 trims are expected to get up to 520 km (323 miles) and 620 km (385 km) CLTC range, respectively.
At 4,600 mm long, 1,875 mm wide, and 1,645 mm tall, Toyota’s bZ3X is about the size of 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 about $16,500 (119,800 yuan)
GAC-Toyota will officially launch the bZ3X in China next March. Interested buyers can place a 2,000 yuan ($275) deposit for priority delivery.
For those in the US, we will 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
