Toyota’s new $15,000 electric SUV is a surprise hit in China - actually the top-selling foreign EV
Published on Jul 11, 2025 at 6:26 AM (UTC+4)
by Jason Fan
Last updated on Jul 11, 2025 at 9:46 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Toyota’s new electric SUV, the bZ3X, is making waves in China, quickly becoming the top-selling foreign EV in the country’s competitive market.
Launched by joint venture GAC Toyota, it is an affordable electric EV starting at just $15,000.
It has outpaced rivals like Volkswagen, Nissan, and BMW in just a few months.
With strong demand and surprising features, the bZ3X is proving to be a breakout success.
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Over 10,000 orders of the Toyota bZ3X in the first hour
After its March debut, interest in the bZ3X was so intense that Toyota said their servers crashed from the volume of orders.
Over 10,000 units of the electric SUV were reserved in the first hour.
By June, monthly deliveries hit 6,030, with total sales surpassing 20,000 units, making it the top-selling foreign EV in China.
Toyota now claims the bZ3X leads all joint venture brands in new energy vehicle sales.
The entry-level model starts at 109,800 yuan ($15,000) and comes in seven trims, including high-tech versions equipped with LiDAR, which is a first for joint venture EVs in the region.
The premium ‘610 Max’ trim ($22,000) packs a 67.92 kWh battery with 379 miles of range.
Even the base version gets a solid 267 miles, thanks to a 50.03 kWh pack.
Sized similarly to the BYD Yuan Plus, the bZ3X is roomy and practical for families.
Why the electric SUV is so popular
Inside, this electric SUV breaks from traditional Toyota interiors with a sleek, tech-focused design, featuring a 12.3-inch infotainment display and 8.8-inch driver screen.
Fold all the seats down, and the SUV opens up nearly 10 feet of interior space.
It’s also loaded with smart features, powered by Momenta’s 5.0 assisted driving system, which offers Level 2 autonomy, remote parking, and more.
Now, the Toyota bZ3X’s performance may seem to pale in comparison to Xiaomi’s YU7 SUV, which received a staggering 200,000 orders in three minutes.
However, given that the overwhelming demand may have backfired on Xiaomi, with many customers facing a year-long wait, perhaps it’s better to stick with the bZ3X.
Besides, as a foreign carmaker in China’s notoriously competitive market, it’s definitely punching above its weight.
With modern styling, long range, and a price that undercuts the competition, the bZ3X shows why it’s the top-selling foreign EV in China.
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Jason Fan is an experienced content creator who graduated from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore with a degree in communications. He then relocated to Australia during a millennial mid-life crisis. A fan of luxury travel and high-performance machines, he politely thanks chatbots just in case the AI apocalypse ever arrives. Jason covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on technology, planes and luxury.
