Peter Lyon
June 7, 2025
It’s no secret that Toyota has a Sub-$20,000 electric vehicle for the Chinese market. It’s an SUV and it’s called the bZ5. But when will Toyota introduce this SUV—or something similar for the price—in the US or Europe that costs less than $20,000? The market is literally screaming out for something so affordable.
All we can do is dream. In the midst of an expanding EV price war, Toyota will introduce the new bZ5 in China on June 10 through FAW Toyota, its joint venture in China. As Toyota seeks to eclipse its competition, the new SUV will be powered by BYD‘s batteries and EV drivetrain.
Pre-sale of the bZ5 is currently underway, with prices starting at just 130,000 yuan, or around $18,000. There are two BYD Blade battery options: 73.98 kWh and 65.28 kWh. The extended range pack can travel up to 391 miles on a full charge, while the normal range battery has a CLTC range of 342 miles.
Additionally, a 200 kW (268 hp) EV motor from BYD’s FinDreams battery unit will power Toyota’s upcoming electric SUV.
With its unique hammerhead front end design, sleek LED headlights and a full-length light bar, the bZ5 is an improvement on the electric bZ4X we are accustomed to seeing.
Toyota’s electric SUV is around the same size as the new Tesla Model Y, measuring 4,780 mm in length, 1,866 mm in width, 1,510 mm in height, and 2,880 mm in wheelbase.
With a 15.6-inch touchscreen entertainment system located above the centre console, the interior is simple and straightforward, but packed with smart tech, including Momenta 5.0 smart driving technology. To enable more than 30 assisted driving capabilities, including parking assistance, city and highway navigation assistance, the system makes use of 33 sensors.
Debuting in China in March, the new bZ5 will come after the bZ3X, which is Toyota’s most economical EV, the bZ3X, starts at just 109,800 yuan ($15,000).
Toyota’s other joint venture, GAC Toyota, stated that the car was “so popular that it crashed the server” with over 10,000 orders in an hour after it opened for business on March 6.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
Will the BZ5 respond similarly? So far, first reviews have been favorable. This EV must, however, be more desirable than the bZ4X, which was Toyota’s first mass-produced EV and not very successful. According to one test driver, a new bZ5’s daily commute of roughly fifty kilometres translates to a recharge after ten days. The fast charging mode permits the car to charge from 30% to 80% in just 27 minutes.
