- The Toyota bZ5 is a new electric crossover produced by FAW for the Chinese market.
- The model is fitted with BYD batteries, offering up to 630 km (392 miles) of CLTC range.
- Pre-sales have already started in China, with a starting price of ¥130,000 ($18,000).
Toyota is gradually expanding its global EV lineup to keep up with the fierce competition, and the latest addition is the bZ5 that was designed and developed in China. The electric crossover fastback is manufactured by the FAW-Toyota joint venture and is fitted with BYD-sourced battery packs.
The bZ5 is actually a renamed version of the bZ3C from last year, itself an evolution of the bZ Sport Crossover Concept from 2023. The decision to adopt the bZ5 name suggests that Toyota wants to position the new EV above the bZ3 entry-level sedan and below the upcoming bZ7 flagship.
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The design hasn’t changed, with the typical hammerhead face, discreet cladding around the wheel arches, sloping roofline, and full-width taillights. Overall, the EV borrows elements from the sedan, fastback, and crossover bodystyles, riding on a set of 21-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, there is a 15.6-inch touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster mounted close to the windshield, and a floating center console. The front seats can transform into a bed, which comes in handy in combination with the nap mode of the infotainment. Equipment includes a panoramic sunroof, a 10-speaker JBL audio system, a fragrance dispenser, nine airbags, and a sophisticated ADAS suite offering Level 2 urban autonomy.
The bZ5 measures 4,780 mm (188.2 inches) long and has a wheelbase of 2,880 mm (113.4 inches). This footprint is similar to countless electric crossovers and SUVs available in the Chinese market, including the Tesla Model Y.
The model rides on the e-TNGA architecture, which already underpins the entire Toyota bZ lineup. However, this one is fitted with BYD Blade LFP battery packs, with capacities of 65.28 kWh and 73.98 kWh. According to Toyota, the CLTC range figures are 550 km (342 miles) and 630 km (392 miles) respectively, while a 30-80% charge can be completed in 27 minutes.
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Both battery options are combined with the same fully electric powertrain generating 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS) and 330 Nm (243.4 lb-ft) of torque.
The Toyota bZ5 is already available to pre-order in China. Prices start at ¥130,000 ($18,000), which is about the same with a Chinese-spec Toyota Corolla Cross. This makes it significantly cheaper than the Tesla Model Y that currently starts at ¥263,500 ($36,500) in the same market.
FAW Toyota
