Toyota releases its cheapest EV to date in China

$15,000 SUV aims to compete with BYD and other rivals among price-conscious buyers

Toyota launched its cheapest EV, the bZ3X subcompact SUV, in China on March 6. (Toyota Motor)

RYOHEI SHIMIZU, HARUKA KADOOKA and SHIZUKA TANABE

March 7, 2025 05:50 JST

NAGOYA, Japan/GUANGZHOU -- Toyota Motor rolled out its least expensive electric vehicle ever in China on Thursday, extending the Japanese company's lineup into the affordable end of the world's largest auto market.

The bZ3X, a five-seat sport utility vehicle aimed at families, starts around 110,000 yuan ($15,000). This is about 30% cheaper than the bZ3 sedan, one of the three midrange to high-end EVs Toyota sells in China.