FAW Toyota, Toyota Motor’s joint venture in China, launched its latest electric vehicle on Tuesday as part of an effort by foreign automakers to reestablish their position in the country’s fast-evolving EV market.
The newly introduced bZ5, a mid-size electric coupe SUV, is available in four variants with starting prices ranging from RMB 129,800 ($18,070) to RMB 159,800 ($22,240). Built on Toyota’s e-TNGA EV platform, the model mirrors the design language of the earlier bZ3 sedan and incorporates BYD’s blade battery technology.
The bZ5 offers a CLTC-rated driving range of up to 630 kilometers, depending on the battery configuration. The base model is equipped with a 65.28 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, enabling a range of 550 kilometers, while a higher-spec variant includes a 73.984 kWh pack for extended driving distance. The vehicle supports fast charging, reaching 80% from 30% in 29 minutes.
“The bZ5 represents FAW Toyota’s continued electrification efforts and follows the earlier introduction of the bZ3,” the company said in a launch announcement.
The coupe SUV features a 200-kW front-wheel-drive electric motor, capable of accelerating from 0 to 50 km/h in 3.4 seconds. Its energy consumption stands at 13.5 kWh per 100 kilometers, which Toyota describes as efficient for its class.
The launch comes as Japanese joint ventures seek to rebound in a Chinese EV sector dominated by domestic manufacturers. Nissan’s joint venture, Dongfeng Nissan, introduced the N7 electric sedan in April at a starting price of RMB 119,900 ($16,700) and has since secured over 17,000 confirmed orders.
FAW Toyota’s bZ5 is part of a broader strategy by legacy automakers to offer competitively priced EVs with improved range and performance amid intensifying local competition and shifting consumer preferences.