After years of dragging its feet in the electric vehicle race, Toyota is finally shifting gears, and China is the proving ground. The Japanese automaker’s latest offering, the bZ3X electric SUV, is rewriting Toyota’s EV narrative. Starting at just $15,000, the bZ3X didn’t just enter the Chinese market; it stormed in as the top-selling foreign EV in May, outselling heavyweights like Volkswagen and Nissan.
Toyota’s turnaround in China began with its joint venture with GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group), which officially launched the bZ3X on March 6. Marketed as Toyota’s “first 100,000 yuan-level pure electric SUV,” this model undercuts many competitors in price without compromising on features or appeal. At 109,800 yuan (~$15,000), the bZ3X has already established itself as a game-changer in the foreign EV segment.
Sales momentum has been swift and strong. In May alone, 4,344 units were sold, putting it ahead of the Volkswagen ID.3 (4,217 units) and Nissan’s N7 sedan (3,034 units). Rounding out the top five were BMW’s i3 and the VW ID.4 CROZZ.
Initial demand was so overwhelming that, according to GAC Toyota, “the server crashed” after receiving over 10,000 orders within an hour of launch. By the end of April, over 10,000 units had already been delivered, with another 12,000 orders still pending, as reported by Peng Baolin, GAC Toyota’s Sales General Manager.
In terms of dimensions, the bZ3X measures 4,645 mm in length, 1,885 mm in width, and 1,625 mm in height, roughly comparable to the BYD Yuan Plus (Atto 3). It comes in seven different trims, two of which include LiDAR systems, making Toyota the first joint venture brand in China to offer the technology. The LiDAR-equipped variants go up to 149,800 yuan (~$20,500).
Powering the vehicle are two battery options: A 50.03 kWh pack offering a range of 430 km (267 miles) and a 67.92 kWh pack providing up to 610 km (379 miles), both based on China’s CLTC standards.
Inside, the bZ3X feels like a step into the future. The cabin features a 12.3-inch infotainment screen alongside an 8.8-inch digital driver cluster. GAC Toyota describes the interior as “a mobile space that is as comfortable as home,” with fold-flat seats allowing up to 3 meters (nearly 10 feet) of usable space.
The bZ3X also comes equipped with Momenta’s 5.0 smart driving system, offering Level 2 assisted driving, remote parking, and various ADAS features. This tech-focused setup reflects Toyota’s broader ambition: “We will define products with Chinese wisdom, promote innovation at Chinese speed, and let the Chinese market drive Toyota’s global evolution.”
At its recent Tech Day event, GAC Toyota announced partnerships with top Chinese tech firms, including Huawei, Xiaomi, and Momenta. These alliances form the backbone of Toyota’s new “China R&D 2.0” strategy, which focuses on creating a full ecosystem of smart EV solutions, including AI, software, and advanced driver-assistance systems.
Toyota is already seeing results. In April, its sales in China surged 20% year-over-year, with 143,000 units sold, largely driven by new energy vehicles and aggressive dealership promotions. By the end of May, Toyota’s China sales had reached 530,000 vehicles, up 7.7% from the previous year.
Following the bZ3X’s success, Toyota is rolling out more models, including the bZ5, a larger electric SUV that just launched this week at around $18,000. With dimensions similar to a Tesla Model Y, but costing nearly half the price, all eyes are now on how the market will respond.
Toyota is finally finding its EV footing and doing so on China’s terms. The bZ3X isn’t just a budget-friendly electric SUV; it’s a symbol of Toyota’s deeper commitment to compete in the world’s most competitive EV landscape. As one top commenter, Solarman1.0, aptly questioned: “So, what would one’s takeaway be here in this GAC-Toyota joint venture? Toyota doesn’t have the chops to DO a U.S.-Toyota joint venture to bring a bZ3X manufactured in the U.S. for say $25K?”
It’s a fair challenge and one that perhaps Toyota will have to answer as demand for affordable EVs grows worldwide.
