Toyota bZ3X Shakes Up China’s EV Market: A $15,000 Game Changer
By Team Dailyrevs March 18, 2025
Toyota is making waves in China with the launch of its most affordable electric SUV to date—the Toyota bZ3X. Priced from just $15,000 (109,800 yuan), the SUV sent shockwaves across the market, racking up 10,000 orders within an hour and even crashing Toyota’s servers.
A Direct Shot at BYD and Budget EV Leaders
China, the world’s largest EV battleground, has seen Toyota cautiously step into the electric space. But the bZ3X is different. It’s aggressively priced, aiming directly at models like BYD's Yuan Plus (Atto 3), which starts at a slightly higher $16,000.
Key Highlights of the Toyota bZ3X:
- Starting Price: ~$15,000
- Range Options: 430 km to 610 km (CLTC)
- Battery Sizes: 50 kWh, 58.4 kWh, and 67.9 kWh (LFP)
- Motor Output: 150 kW or 165 kW (Single motor, FWD)
- Tech Edge: Available lidar & Momenta 5.0 ADAS
- Interior: Tesla-inspired with a 14.6" infotainment screen
- Local Sourcing: 65% of parts from Chinese suppliers
- Launch Market: China-only (for now)
Smart Features at a Bargain
Toyota is also shaking its "conservative" image by loading the bZ3X with features you’d expect in pricier EVs. The top trims get lidar, Momenta’s NOA (Navigate on Autopilot) tech (which works without HD maps), and even Nvidia Orin X chips for heavy-duty autonomous computing. The base trims keep things simpler with Toyota’s standard driver-assistance suite.
Quick Look: Toyota bZ3X Trims & Pricing
| Trim | Range (km) | Battery (kWh) | Motor (kW) | ADAS | Lidar | Price (yuan) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 430 Air | 430 | 50 | 150 | – | No | 109,800 | ~$15,000 |
| 430 Air+ | 430 | 50 | 150 | Toyota Pilot | No | 119,800 | ~$16,400 |
| 520 Pro | 520 | 58.4 | 150 | Toyota Pilot | No | 129,800 | ~$17,800 |
| 520 Pro+ | 520 | 58.4 | 150 | Toyota Pilot | No | 139,800 | ~$19,200 |
| 610 Max | 610 | 67.9 | 165 | Momenta 5.0 Opt. | Optional | 159,800 | ~$22,000 |
| 520 Pro Smart | 520 | 58.4 | 150 | Momenta 5.0 | Yes | 149,800 | ~$20,500 |
| 520 Pro+ Smart | 520 | 58.4 | 150 | Momenta 5.0 | Yes | 159,800 | ~$22,000 |
Why It Matters
While Toyota’s EV presence in China has been lukewarm so far—its bZ4X SUV even ceased deliveries—the bZ3X looks set to rewrite the story. Pairing affordability with respectable range and modern driver-assist tech, it could shake up China’s ultra-competitive EV segment.
For now, the Toyota bZ3X is a China-only affair, but with this level of demand and pricing, Toyota may just be testing the waters for a global rollout.