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Toyota bZ5
"Toyota bZ5: pros, cons, costs and common fixes"
by Al222 (21080 pt)
2025-May-20 17:35

Toyota bZ5 (first generation, MY 2025–)


The bZ5 is Toyota’s new fully-electric crossover, developed with FAW and BYD on the e-TNGA architecture. At 4.78 m long it slots between a family hatch and a midsize SUV, sporting a coupé-style roofline and a flat floor that frees up generous rear leg-room plus a 580 l boot. Two Blade-battery packs are offered—65 kWh and 74 kWh—feeding a 200 kW (268 hp) front motor for 0-100 km/h in about seven seconds. Official CLTC range is 550 km or 630 km; expect roughly 450–500 km once homologated under WLTP. Production began in Tianjin in May 2025, with European sales pencilled in for 2026.


PRO

What works well
Why it matters
Competitive driving range
The Blade LFP packs deliver real-world WLTP figures likely above 450 km, enough for long commutes or weekend trips without anxiety.
Remarkable value (China)
A launch price of 130–160 k CNY (~€18–20 k) undercuts every C-segment EV offering more than 500 km of range.
Safety & driver-assist tech
The Momenta 5.0 ADAS suite—adaptive cruise, hands-on lane-centering, automated lane-change and self-parking—comes standard.
Blade-battery durability
LFP chemistry resists thermal runaway and shows low degradation; warranty in China extends to 8–10 years.
Modern infotainment
A 15.6″ central display, compact digital cluster and AI voice assistant give the cabin a clean, minimalist feel.
Efficient powertrain
Estimated 15–16 kWh/100 km in mixed driving; quick, linear acceleration yet modest energy use.

CON

Possible irritants
Details
Optimistic CLTC figures
Real-world range is around 20 % lower; harsh winters could cut autonomy to 350–400 km.
FWD only at launch
No all-wheel-drive version announced, limiting appeal for mountain or snow regions.
Modest DC-charging peak
A 400 V architecture caps fast-charge at 150 kW and the curve tapers early; 20–80 % takes roughly 30–35 minutes.
European pricing unknown
After freight, duties and VAT, entry versions may land around €40 k—double the Chinese sticker.
12 V battery worries
Earlier bZ models have suffered auxiliary-battery drain; Toyota has yet to confirm hardware fixes.
Residual-value question mark
New joint-venture product and a fast-moving EV market make long-term depreciation hard to predict.

Likely issues & indicative costs (forecast)

Area / part
Typical symptoms
Parts (€)
Labour (€)
Notes
12 V battery
Car won’t “wake up” after several idle days
180–220
20–40
Software update expected; replacement simple.
OTA/ADAS updates
Warning lights, feature glitches
50–80
Updates are OTA in China; early EU cars may require a workshop visit.
21″ tyre wear
Increased noise, reduced range
240–280 each
XL-rated 225/55-21: rotate every 10 000 km.
Routine EV service
Annual inspection
150–250
Brake-fluid change, cabin filters, high-voltage system check.

Market pricing (May 2025)

Market
Trim / battery
Price OTR
China
65 kWh Standard Range
130 000 CNY (~€16 300)

74 kWh Long Range
160 000 CNY (~€20 200)
Projected Italy 2026
65 kWh
~€38–40 000

74 kWh
~€42–44 000

(EU estimate factors 10 % import duty, freight, 22 % VAT and dealer margin.)


Verdict

The bZ5 packages a credible 450-km-plus range, advanced driver assistance and Toyota’s reputation for longevity into the most aggressively priced electric crossover now on sale in China. Its strengths lie in the Blade battery’s safety record, a rich ADAS suite and an interior that finally feels high-tech. Yet Europe will judge it on charging speed, winter efficiency and a sticker that could creep above €40 k. Keep an eye on whether Toyota resolves the auxiliary-battery drain seen on the bZ4X and whether an AWD variant joins the range. If the final EU price stays under €45 k, the bZ5 could become a serious threat to the Tesla Model Y and VW ID.4; if not, it risks being another “China-only bargain” that loses its shine once it crosses continents.

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