Toyota’s new smart EV for China looks pretty sharp: Check out the bZ5

Toyota’s new bZ5 EV starts at about $18,000 in China and uses BYD batteries for a driving range of up to 630 km (391 miles). Can it keep up in the world’s largest EV market?

Meet Toyota’s new bZ5 EV for China

Remember the bZ3C, Toyota’s coupe-like SUV concept from the Beijing Auto Show last year? It’s back and launching under a new name.

The first bZ5 rolled off the assembly line at FAW Toyota’s new energy factory in China on May 16, marking several milestones.

Bi Wenquan, the company’s executive vice president, said the new EV “demonstrates FAW Toyota’s strong hard power as a joint venture automaker to keep up with the pace of the Chinese market.” It’s also expected to help FAW Toyota compete in China’s increasingly competitive EV market.

The bZ5 marks the joint venture’s 12 millionth car that has rolled off its production line, but the new EV may be one of its most important so far.

Developed locally, FAW Toyota’s general manager, Fujiwara Hiroyuki, explained at the event that “being global and more Chinese” is a core part of Toyota’s plans to regain market share in the region.

Toyota opened pre-sales last month, starting at just 130,000 yuan, or about $18,000. Two BYD Blade LFP battery options are available: 65.28 kWh or 73.98 kWh, providing a CLTC driving range of 550 km (342 miles) and 630 km (391 miles), respectively.

The “smart cockpit” interior looks like an upgrade from the Toyota vehicles we are accustomed to in sporty red. A 15.6″ touchscreen infotainment sits at the center of a relatively minimalistic setup.

However, it’s loaded with smart tech, including Momenta 5.0. The intelligent driving system provides over 30 functions, including city and highway navigation assist, parking assistance, and more.

Based on Toyota’s e-TNGA platform, the bZ5 is 4,780 mm long, 1,866 mm wide, and 1,510 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,880 mm. That’s about the size of the new Tesla Model Y, which is 4,797 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, and 1,624 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,890 mm.

During the event, Toyota’s president, Koji Sato, said, “China is in a leading position in intelligence and electrification. If our products can be loved by Chinese consumers, they will surely be favored by the global market.”