Price shock for Toyota's new bZ3X electric SUV in China: BYD Atto 3 rival based on the Aion V is a cheap EV packed with tech

Toyota’s newest electric car is making a splash.

The bZ3X has launched in China for about $24,000. That’s a shockingly cheap EV.

It is also slightly cheaper than the BYD Atto 3 in China, which is a better comparison, and would make it closer to $40,000 if it ever landed here.

Toyota only sells its in-house developed bZ4X in Australia, with prices starting at more than $71,000, drive-away.

The bZ3X is built as part of Toyota’s partnership with Chinese brand GAC.

It shares its underpinnings with GAC’s Aion V electric SUV, which is due to go on sale in Australia this year.

In China the bZ3X is available with three different sizes of lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries: 50kWh, 58kWh and 68kWh. 

Driving range is either 430km, 520km or 610km depending on the size of the battery. All these ranges are calculated using the more lenient China Light-duty vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC), expect range to be about 20 per cent worse if using the benchmark WLTP measurement. 

It is powered by a single electric motor that makes either 150kW or 165KW, depending on the variant, and drives the front wheels.

It is also fitted with advanced self driving technology, which is a major selling point in China. 

It also has a huge 14.6-inch central multimedia display and a smaller digital driver display.

Reports out of China indicate it is already a hit with buyers, with more than 10,000 orders in the first hour.

Toyota has given no indication as to whether the bZ3X would be sold outside of China, so the chances of it coming here are low.

Never say never, though. 

Mazda said its EZ-6 electric sedan built with its Chinese partner Changan was only for China, until it wasn’t. That car has been confirmed as the Mazda 6e that will go on sale in Europe and fellow right-hand drive market the UK, which opens the door for Mazda’s formerly China-only EV to be sold here.