On the eve of the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, FAW Toyota officially launched the pre-sale of its new pure electric SUV model bZ5 with a technology launch conference called "GIVE ME 5".
This mid-size SUV built on the e-TNGA platform not only hits the market's nerves with its pre-sale price starting at 130,000 yuan, but also demonstrates Toyota's strategic ambition and product strength in its electrification transformation with core technologies such as blade batteries and Momenta5.0 intelligent driving system.
As a product of the in-depth cooperation between Toyota and its Chinese partners, the bZ5 is equipped with a 200kW motor and lithium iron phosphate battery pack provided by Fudi Power. The official claims that its CLTC operating range can reach up to 630 kilometers, which is quite competitive among pure electric models of the same price.
What is striking is that the new car uses BYD's blade battery technology, which takes into account both energy density and safety.
In terms of intelligence, the bZ5 is equipped with 33 sensing hardware and 544TOPS computing power chips, supporting L2 urban assisted driving functions, covering more than 30 scenarios such as automatic parking and lane keeping. The Toyota Space smart cockpit has achieved seamless integration of the "people-car-home" ecosystem through cooperation with local technology giants such as Huawei and Tencent.
In terms of appearance, bZ5 continues the bZ series "Hammerhead Shark" front face design language, and the fastback shape and hidden door handles highlight the sporty feel. The space performance brought by its 4780mm length and 2880mm wheelbase, as well as the 1.44 square meter panoramic skylight, 21-inch wheels and other configurations, reveal the accurate capture of the aesthetic preferences of young users. In terms of interior, the simple and technological style runs through the whole process. The combination of the floating central control screen and the 256-color ambient light, with four nap modes, takes into account both practicality and ritual sense. The nine airbags and through-type side air curtains that are standard for the whole series continue the traditional genes of Toyota QDR (high quality, high durability, high reliability).
In the context of domestic brands dominating the new energy market, FAW Toyota bZ5's pricing strategy is seen as a "breakthrough" for the joint venture camp. The pre-sale price range of 130,000 to 160,000 yuan is not only lower than previous market expectations, but also directly cuts into the price hinterland of domestic mainstream pure electric SUVs, trying to grab market share with brand premium and technology endorsement.
However, the lag of joint venture brands in intelligent and localized research and development remains a challenge. bZ5's choice to cooperate with companies such as Momenta can be seen as a key attempt by Toyota to accelerate its integration into China's smart car ecosystem.
The core competitiveness of bZ5 is reflected in its precise positioning in the market segment. Compared with similarly priced competitors, its battery life, joint venture brand endorsement and Toyota's mature supply chain management capabilities may become the key to attracting pragmatic consumers. The pre-sale benefits of "500 yuan for 5,000 yuan" and marketing innovations such as the vehicle age value-added subsidy in the "Time Renewal Plan" further strengthen its cost-effectiveness advantage.
In general, the launch of bZ5 is not only a milestone in FAW Toyota's electrification process. As its official launch in June approaches, its market performance may verify whether traditional automakers can rely on their systematic advantages to redraw the competitive landscape in the electrification track under the pressure of intelligence and price wars.
