GAC Toyota Gasoline Cars Dominate Four Cities With Full Configuration And Unchanged Prices

Auto-FirstLiu Tianming reporting from Changsha

Breaking the incremental product renewal model, GAC Toyota's one-click four-in-one renewal focuses on the Sienna, Highlander, Camry, and Crownlander, enhancing these global vehicles by making the most commonly used, perceptible, and necessary features available in the base models, directly increasing the high value of the entry-level versions.

On September 23, GAC Toyota launched the largest-scale global car facelift in Changsha. The 2026 Sienna starts at 269,800 RMB, the 2026 Highlander starts at 219,800 RMB, the 2026 Frontlander starts at 102,800 RMB, and the 2026 Camry starts at 158,800 RMB. Instead of piling on "gimmicky features" in the top models of these four global cars, the company opted to incorporate the most commonly used, most perceptible, and most needed features into the entry-level models, significantly lowering the purchasing threshold for users while comprehensively enhancing the value of the entry-level offerings.

Unlike a conventional new car launch event, GAC Toyota invited the stand-up comedy duo "Manzai Brothers" to humorously critique "product pain points" and reveal the real price of the new car. The Rock Band Mayuan Poets performed live and took on the role of user experience officers to share their car usage experiences. Executives took the stage not to deliver "official speeches," but to talk about "sincerity," "lifetime warranty," and "equality." The entire event felt more like a user communication meeting.

Overall, the four 2026 global car models have upgraded chips across the board to Qualcomm 8155, resulting in a fourfold increase in computing power, which is quite rare in the joint venture gasoline car segment. The bigger surprise is the widespread adoption of large screens, with the Highlander's 15.6-inch screen and the Frontlander's 12.9-inch screen being fully PAD-ified, propelling Toyota's global cars into the "big screen era." In terms of smartphone connectivity, all four models are compatible with Carlink, HiCar5.0, and CarPlay.

Secondly, the intelligent driving configuration ranges from the entry-level Fenglan to the flagship Saina, all equipped with Toyota TSS intelligent driving assistance, covering three major scenarios: highways, urban areas, and parking. Based on a global data set of 100 billion kilometers of intelligent driving with zero accidents, it aligns with a "safety first" development strategy, ensuring that safety in intelligent driving is uncompromised. The Toyota TSS intelligent driving assistance provides a practical answer to "equal rights in intelligent driving" with its standard inclusion across all models and comprehensive scenario coverage.

In addition to smart technology, Toyota's global cars have been simultaneously upgraded in high-value experiences, bringing million-level configurations to the mainstream market. Rather than merely responding to user demands, it is more of a complete release to pamper gasoline car users.

Specifically, the Sienna focuses on "luxury without boundaries". The starting price for the entry-level model is 269,800 RMB. A new "Four-Wheel Drive Premium Edition" has been added, combining the first-class cabin seats from the Lexus LM with the E-FOUR electronic four-wheel drive system. The first-class cabin seats feature 16-point pneumatic massage, three-stage ventilation and heating, and are made from semi-aniline luxury leather. The armrests for getting in and out of the car have been upgraded with perforated leather wrapping and chrome decorations. New features include a Platinum exterior look, rich brown interior, "Wing" welcome lights, PVM panoramic monitoring system, and transparent chassis function. Its quietness rivals that of top luxury cars, with interior noise levels as low as 61.8 decibels at a speed of 120 km/h. The 2026 Sienna achieves a "300,000 RMB pricing with a million-level experience." The final refresh price for the "Four-Wheel Drive Premium Edition" is 339,800 RMB.

The Highlander "Entry-level with Superior Features" starts at a refreshed price of 219,800 RMB. It comes standard with more than ten features including a brand new 15.6-inch large screen, Qualcomm 8155 automotive-grade chip, genuine leather steering wheel, leather seats, soundproof glass for both front and rear rows, 50W high-power wireless fast charging, and the newly added transparent chassis function.

Fenglanda "Entry-level Full Configuration". New entry-level price starts at 102,800 yuan. As a mid-term facelift model, it's almost like "changing to a new car". The exterior features a dynamic face armor front, star track light pupils headlights, and star ring through-type guiding tail wing. The interior adopts a new center console and instrument panel design, upgraded with a wide range of soft material coverings, and adds a 12.9-inch central control screen, Qualcomm 8155 automotive-grade chip, 64-color ambient lighting, 50W wireless fast charging, Carlink, HiCar5.0, CarPlay for full-brand smartphone connectivity.

Camry insists on "upgrading without increasing the price." The global sports version styling is fully available, with the newly launched 2.0HSE Sport LITE version starting at a refreshed price of 158,800 yuan. The 2.0HV Premium version adds a white interior, and the PVM panoramic monitoring system, Bluetooth key, and dynamic ambiance package are now available for this version and above. The PKSB parking support brake system capability of the 2.5HEV models has been upgraded to recognize objects, vehicles, and pedestrians, achieving full coverage of forward and backward active safety prevention.

Focusing on the real needs of users, Guangqi Toyota maximizes "entry-level value" while maintaining a highly competitive pricing system, making high-end configurations no longer exclusive to top models.

From January to August this year, the penetration rate of new energy vehicles in the automotive industry was approximately 51%, which means that nearly half of the users still choose gasoline vehicles. As of August, gasoline vehicle sales have also seen a year-on-year increase for three consecutive months, indicating strong market demand. Toyota, as a global automotive company, has always aimed to cover the largest possible audience with a diversified product lineup, catering to different preferences in various regions around the world. GAC Toyota, as a mainstream manufacturer with 9 million users, has both the responsibility and capability to meet the substantial demand for gasoline vehicles.

The upgrades of the 2026 model of GAC Toyota's global car may seem conventional, but at its core, it is a comprehensive refresh of the value of gasoline cars. It doesn't force users to change their habits but significantly enhances the user experience. It avoids empty talk of technological superiority and instead brings mature technology to practical application.

Toyota's intelligent hybrid system does not require charging, yet offers the quietness and smooth power of an electric vehicle. The small battery design avoids the risk of thermal runaway, fundamentally eliminating the risk of combustion. With all-scenario adaptability, it remains unfazed by extreme weather and complex road conditions, ensuring no anxiety whether on long or short trips. It also features the smartest advanced technology, with a planetary gear system that keeps the engine operating at maximum efficiency and economy while the electric motor intelligently intervenes across the entire speed range. This leads to fuel savings without sacrificing power, quietness without losing performance, and a driving experience imbued with electric feel, completely bidding farewell to the jolts and high consumption of traditional gasoline vehicles.

GAC Toyota does not view hybrids as "exclusive to high-end models." From the Levin to the Sienna, the entire product line is electrified, and since 2015, they have implemented a "zero price difference for hybrids" across the board, completely breaking the "displacement equals status" unwritten rule. From 1.8L hybrid to 2.5L hybrid, there is equal enjoyment. Users no longer need to pay extra for "advanced technology," and hybrids are no longer a high-end option but a standard configuration.

Meanwhile, GAC Toyota has launched a "Dual Manufacturer Responsibility" for electric vehicle users, offering a new car replacement for battery fire incidents and compensation for losses in smart parking accidents. This coverage applies to both new and existing users with no warranty period restrictions. For fuel vehicle users, all 2026 models of global cars come with "Lifetime Warranty on Powertrain" rights. Behind these commitments is the reliability verified by over 30 million hybrid users worldwide and the trust endorsement from the 9 million user base of GAC Toyota in China.

At the press conference, Wen Dali of GAC Toyota stated, "The synergy between GAC Toyota's hybrid and electric vehicles empowers each other and achieves mutual success." With its self-developed Chinese technology and local smart electric technology, the BZ brand is rapidly growing into the "No. 1 joint venture new energy brand." The global car continues to reinforce its position as the "No. 1 global hybrid brand" through leading hybrid technology and comprehensive upgrades in intelligence. Both share a research and development system and manufacturing foundation, achieving technological reciprocity and brand advancement.

It is reported that Botzhi 3X is about to be sold in markets outside mainland China where there is demand, helping Botzhi to become a global brand and promoting Chinese intelligent electric technology to go global. At the same time, a brand-new generation of mid-size SUVs is about to be launched. The new vehicle will be equipped with a new generation intelligent cockpit and TSS 4.0 intelligent driving assistance, developed specifically for China, marking the transition of "the world's smartest Toyota car in China" from promise to reality.