This New Toyota EV Is Not What You Expected – Meet the bZ5

he Toyota bZ5 is not just another electric car—it is a new direction. Revealed as the production version of last year’s bZ3C concept from the Beijing Auto Show, the bZ5 emerges through Toyota’s partnership with FAW, tailor-made for the Chinese market and powered by BYD’s technology. What you get is a sleek electric sedan that blends strong performance, generous cabin tech, and practicality for everyday use.

Under the hood—or rather, beneath the floor—sits BYD’s proven Blade lithium iron phosphate battery paired with a front-mounted motor delivering 272 horsepower and 330 Newton-meters of torque. The setup allows the bZ5 to charge from 30 to 80 percent in just 27 minutes using fast-charging infrastructure. The official CLTC range sits at an impressive 630 kilometers, giving it real-world usability for both city and longer journeys.

At 4,780 millimeters in length, 1,866 millimeters wide, and 1,510 millimeters tall, the bZ5 has a generous wheelbase of 2,880 millimeters. It rolls on stylish 21-inch alloy wheels fitted with 225/45 tires, giving it a planted stance that’s both sporty and premium.

Inside, the cabin experience continues to impress. The red-themed interior brings a bold and youthful character, anchored by a large 15.6-inch central touchscreen and a small high-mounted digital display that is almost at eye level—much like what Peugeot offers with its i-Cockpit. There is also a rotary gear selector, panoramic roof, 10 JBL speakers, ambient lighting with 256 color options, and even a nap mode to stretch out and recharge—just like the car.

Toyota has also packed the bZ5 with a full suite of safety features. There are nine airbags, Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems, and the kind of tech-laden support that customers now expect in a modern electric vehicle.

Reports from China suggest that the Toyota bZ5 is currently on pre-sale, priced between 130,000 and 160,000 Chinese yuan. That translates to an affordable yet competitive offering in the growing electric sedan segment. If this model has your attention, it might also be worth keeping an eye on the Toyota bZ7, a flagship sedan that was revealed alongside it.