Toyota bZ3X Might Break the EV Market if it Comes Stateside

The Toyota bZ3X starts at around $15,000

EV buyers are demanding lower-cost vehicles, and automakers are beginning to respond. While it’s not expected to launch in the U.S., the Toyota bZ3X is an ideal example of an affordable and feature-rich EV.

Starting at just over $15,000 (109,800 yuan), the Toyota bZ3X received over 10,000 pre-order requests in China less than one hour after its launch. This indicates consumers prefer low-cost EVs that aren’t also low-end vehicles, and automakers can deliver this.

What is the Toyota bZ3X?

Officially named the “Bozhi 3X” (or “Platinum 3X” in English), the Toyota bZ3X is related to the U.S. Toyota bZ4X and the bZ3 sedan introduced in 2023 in China. Tailored for the Chinese market, the bZ3X is a family SUV available in seven trims, offering 147 pound-feet of torque and 200 horsepower. Toyota claims it can charge from 30 percent to 80 percent in 24 minutes and provides a range of 267 to 370 miles at 50 or 58 kilowatt-hours depending on the trim level.

Visually, it resembles a larger, boxier bZ4X, indicating that Toyota has established a clear design language for its EVs. The flat hood slopes dramatically towards the front, while lower side panels appear to lift away from the ground, creating the impression of increased ground clearance. The cabin marks a shift for Toyota; traditionally, the automaker has favored familiar interiors for its EVs, but the bZ3X features a minimalist design with an 8.8-inch screen behind the wheel and a center-mounted 14-inch display. The center console boasts a wireless charger and several cupholders, complemented by a center storage compartment.

The bZ3X accommodates five passengers and provides ample interior space with a length of 181 inches, and a 108-inch wheelbase. All seats can fold flat, yielding roughly ten feet of usable space (lengthwise) for various needs.

Why the Toyota bZ3X is so unique

The two highest trim levels of the Toyota bZ3X include Lidar technology, impressive driver assistance features, and a state-of-the-art NVIDIA Drive Orin X chipset capable of over 254 trillion operations per second. The center-mounted display is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 SoC that incorporates one Lidar sensor, three long-range radars, 11 short-range ultrasonic radars, and 11 cameras to support the driver.

The first five trim levels don’t include Lidar, but the top two do, starting at about $20,000. For a vehicle equipped with as much technology as the Toyota bZ3X, that represents an outstanding value. Consumers recognize this value, too. Toyota’s servers crashed roughly an hour after pre-orders for the bZ3X commenced thanks to the over 10,000 orders it received.

Final thoughts

The Toyota bZ3X is comparable in size to a Mustang Mach-E, includes Lidar, boasts a remarkable chipset, offers impressive driver-assist features, and provides a respectable range—all for approximately $20,000. If Toyota were to introduce the bZ3X in the U.S., it would undoubtedly become the best-selling EV. It’s disappointing that it won’t be available here, much like some of the other cool cars we’ve seen revealed worldwide.