Toyota's Most Affordable EV Priced at $15,000 Receives 10,000 Orders Within an Hour | Carscoops

      The new compact bZ3X boasts a luxurious interior, featuring a 14.6-inch infotainment display and a digital instrument cluster.

      The electric SUV is slightly larger than the BYD Atto 3 and is available with three different battery options. The entry-level and mid-range versions are equipped with a motor producing 204 hp, whereas the top variant offers 224 hp.

      Toyota provides two models that come with an advanced driver-assistance system powered by Nvidia.

      China is rapidly becoming the global hub for affordable electric vehicles, and for good reasons. However, most of these budget electric vehicles are from local brands that have managed to bypass the traditional hurdles that have hampered legacy automakers.

      Now, even Toyota, a traditional manufacturer criticized for its slow transition to electric vehicles, is entering the market with a surprisingly low starting price in China, especially given its features and dimensions.

      The vehicle being discussed is the bZ3X, developed through Toyota’s collaboration with GAC. It was introduced in December, but sales have only recently commenced. Its popularity has skyrocketed, resulting in over 10,000 orders within just an hour, which even caused a system crash. The offerings and value of the bZ3X explain its immense demand.

      **Pricing Information**

      The electric SUV is priced starting at 109,800 yuan, which is approximately $15,000 based on current exchange rates. Given the compact SUV's size and features, this price is remarkably competitive. For comparison, the GAC Toyota Highlander, similar to its North American counterpart, begins at 284,800 yuan ($39,300), while the Camry starts at 171,800 yuan ($23,700).

      At this entry-level price, you receive the basic version of the bZ3X, known as the 430 Air. It includes a 50.03 kWh LFP battery pack. Although this is relatively small for an SUV of this caliber, Toyota asserts it offers a range of 267 miles (430 km) under the CTLC cycle. However, as the Chinese testing cycle is generally quite lenient, the actual range is likely closer to 250 miles (402 km). For those seeking additional features, a slightly enhanced 430 Air+ version is also available, beginning at 119,800 yuan (~$16,500).

      Toyota will additionally offer the bZ3X in 520 Pro (¥120,980 / ~$16,700) and 520 Pro+ (¥139,800 / ~$19,300) variants, both equipped with a larger 58.37 kWh battery and an estimated range of 323 miles (520 km). All 430 and 520 models come with a single 204 hp electric motor. The model with the longest range is the 610 Max, which features a 67.92 kWh battery and can achieve 379 miles (610 km) on a single charge, along with a more powerful 224 hp motor. This variant starts at ¥159,800 (~$22,000).

      Two versions of the 520 Pro, which include advanced driver-assistance systems, have also been revealed, priced at ¥149,800 (~$20,700) and ¥159,800 (~$22,000). These models come equipped with 11 cameras, 12 ultrasonic radars, 3mm wave radars, and one LiDAR, all powered by the Nvidia Drive AGX Orin X.

      The interior of the bZ3X may not be ultra-luxurious compared to other Chinese EVs, but it has a solid appearance. Standard features include a 14.6-inch infotainment display, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, and an 11-speaker Yamaha audio system.

      The SUV's dimensions are 4,600 mm (181.1 inches) in length, 1,875 mm (73.8 inches) in width, and 1,645 mm (64.7 inches) in height, with a wheelbase of 2,765 mm (108.8 inches), putting it in a similar size range as a RAV4. It weighs 1,835 kg (4,045 lbs), which is relatively standard for this category of electric vehicles.

      Toyota’s latest EV measures 4,600 mm (181.1 inches) in length, 1,875 mm (73.8 inches) in width, and 1,645 mm (64.7 inches) in height, with a wheelbase of 2,765 mm (108.8 inches), and has a weight of 1,835 kg (4,045 lbs).