Toyota bZ3X debuts in China with $15,000 price tag

Toyota has finally launched its most affordable electric SUV yet, the bZ3X, in China. The newest addition to Toyota's EV lineup, released by the Chinese joint venture with GAC, generated enough interest to cause the company's servers to crash as orders poured in.

Over 10,000 orders were placed in just the first hour after the launch, proving that China's appetite for affordable EVs is strong. The bZ3X comes in two main versions: one with standard features and one equipped with advanced smart driving technology. The model without the smart driving features starts at RMB 109,800 (just over $15,000) and offers five different trim options. The smart driving version begins at RMB 149,800 ($20,500).

For buyers looking for a maximum range, the top-tier "610 Max" trim, priced at RMB 159,800 ($22,000), boasts a CLTC range of 379 miles thanks to a 67.92 kWh LFP battery. The entry-level "430 Air" model provides a range of 267 miles using a 50.03 kWh LFP battery pack. Bear in mind these are CLTC numbers, and the real-life range will differ quite a lot. In terms of size, the bZ3X measures 181.1 inches in length, 73.8 inches in width, and 64.8 inches in height.

Toyota emphasizes the bZ3X's comfortable interior, describing it as a "mobile space that is comfortable as home." The front and rear seats can be folded down to create a nearly 118 inches long space, offering ample room for cargo or relaxation. The interior features a 14.6-inch infotainment screen with voice recognition and an 8.8-inch display for the driver.

The bZ3X is Toyota's first vehicle to incorporate the Momenta 5.0 Intelligent Driving System, powered by NVIDIA Drive AGX Orin X. This system includes 25 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features, such as parallel parking, remote control parking, high-speed pilot, light traffic assist, and blind spot monitoring. GAC-Toyota claims this system will make them "one of the first automakers in the world to realize a one-stage end-to-end intelligent driving model," with the vehicle's intelligence improving over time through use.

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