For older generations, Toyota cars have clear advantages. After years in the Chinese market, they have gained recognition from over a million consumers. With the arrival of the new energy era, FAW Toyota has kept pace. They introduced the fully upgraded electric model, the bZ5. Today, we will take a deep test drive of this car. We will explore how it differs from previous Toyota models.
First, I look at the appearance. The FAW Toyota bZ5 will continue its family design. The front looks very sporty. The connected light group pairs with large C-shaped headlights. This combination offers strong visual recognition. The slender design and low front shape make the car look younger and more stylish.
The FAW Toyota bZ5, an all-electric model, features a fully enclosed front bumper. Compared to the bZ3 and bZ4, the new front bumper looks simpler. It lacks complex lines, giving it a clean and tidy appearance. The sides include a single design accent. The black area below retains cooling vents, adding to its stylish design.
This model is a fastback SUV. Its side lines are very streamlined. The rear window slopes down sharply. This design does not compromise interior space. It offers excellent aesthetics while providing ample space for passengers and the trunk.
The new car will feature an advanced smart driving assistance system. The roof will include a lidar. The front fenders and mirrors will have additional cameras. This setup will maximize driving safety.
The car will feature new 21-inch low-resistance wheels. It uses a dual-tone color scheme. The visual effect looks excellent, whether stationary or in motion. It comes with 225/45 R21 tires. These tires improve driving experience while ensuring vehicle capability and quietness.
The rear design of the FAW Toyota bZ5 impresses. The taillight design stands out. The continuous layout showcases sporty aesthetics. The C-shaped design mirrors the headlights. The curves are elegant. The small ducktail on the trunk adds to the coupe feel.
The car features a fastback design. This allows for a hatchback trunk. The design maximizes storage space and makes it easy to access items. The rear bumper complements the front bumper. It also uses a two-tone color scheme. The lower shape adds a sporty touch.
The exterior impresses. Inside, Toyota embraces modern design. The new interior features a stylish layout. Most physical buttons disappear. A large 15.6-inch floating screen takes center stage. It showcases the latest Toyota Space technology. Users enjoy an enhanced smart experience.
The new car will keep the bZ family steering wheel design. The standout feature is the turn signal switch. It integrates the turn signal into the multifunction button on the steering wheel. You may need some time to get used to it at first. However, once you are familiar, you will find this design very convenient. It also adds a touch of supercar feel.
The car’s steering wheel supports multiple angles for up, down, forward, and backward adjustments. Toyota thoughtfully designed the LCD display to integrate with the steering wheel. This design allows the display to adjust its angle when the steering wheel moves. It prevents obstructions and glare issues.
The 15.6-inch screen stands out as the car’s biggest highlight. It offers high clarity. Its processing power and speed match current mainstream standards. This achievement is impressive for a Toyota. In today’s competitive market, taking this step earns more consumer recognition and choice.
This screen supports online navigation, online entertainment, mobile connectivity, remote control, and OTA upgrades. The car system also allows app downloads. It even fully supports functions like WeChat. This is a complete upgrade.
In addition to the above functions, the system supports continuous multi-command voice interaction. For example, you can say, “Hello Toyota, set the air conditioning to level 2, adjust the temperature to 20℃, turn on the driver’s seat heating, open the passenger window, and play music.” The car system can complete all these settings in about one second. This feature deserves praise.
The central console of the FAW Toyota bZ5 features a dual-layer layout. The upper section retains the electronic rotary gear shift. It includes a design to prevent accidental operation, which is very important. However, the car’s screen lacks a wireless charging panel for phones. This is a bit disappointing. Adding it would enhance practicality.
The car’s interior materials and craftsmanship are excellent. The soft materials and leather coverings stand out. They lead in quality within the same class and price range. The interior has no unpleasant odors. This highlights the importance of eco-friendly materials.
The yellow seat belts and stitching represent the sporty attributes of the car. All five seat belts are yellow, which is striking. However, we need to pay attention to maintenance. Yellow seat belts can get dirty easily.
I am satisfied with the seat design of this car. The front seats offer electric adjustment and heating. They provide high comfort. The support, firmness, and wrap are excellent. The seats follow ergonomic design principles. Even after long rides, I feel no fatigue.
The space in the second row seats amazed me. Despite the sloping roofline, the headroom feels spacious. Even an adult at 1.8 meters sits comfortably in the back. The roof features a panoramic sunroof. The insulation works well. Even in direct sunlight, the interior does not feel too hot.
After discussing the appearance and interior, let’s talk about the driving experience. The FAW Toyota bZ5 features a front-mounted single motor. This motor delivers a maximum output of 200 kW and a peak torque of 330 Nm. It supports fast charging and vehicle-to-load functions. The maximum range reaches 630 km. It handles daily commutes and short trips with ease.
The new car offers various driving modes for consumers. Drivers can customize the handling and energy recovery settings. This meets different consumer needs. During the test drive, we felt the acceleration was very linear. The car did not have a strong push-back feeling at the start. However, it provided great confidence during full acceleration. The power output was just right.
The vehicle’s chassis and suspension tuning deserve praise. The overall setup does not simply chase sportiness. It avoids a soft, mushy feel. This design strikes a good balance. When we go over bumps, the vehicle absorbs vibrations firmly. Passengers feel minimal shaking or bouncing. In corners, it provides better support, reducing body roll.
Many people care about this car’s quietness. The starting price is 130,000. I had the same concern. But when I drove it on the highway, I found my worry was unnecessary. The car excels at suppressing wind noise, tire noise, and chassis noise. We can chat normally inside the car. This surprised me.
The most surprising feature is the intelligent driving assistance system in the FAW Toyota bZ5. FAW Toyota partnered closely with Momenta. They added lidar and more sensors to the vehicle. This allows for urban NOA and high-speed NOA functions.
Set the navigation information. Press the smart driving button on the steering wheel twice. The vehicle activates its smart driving assistance system. This system processes information quickly and effectively. It identifies pedestrians, bicycles, cars, obstacles, speed, and road signs in an instant. It makes accurate judgments right away.
In urban areas, the FAW Toyota bZ5 supports comprehensive navigation. It offers lane centering, lane keeping, and deviation warnings. It can change lanes, avoid large vehicles, and yield to pedestrians. The bZ5 recognizes traffic lights and performs automatic parking and starting. It follows intelligently and turns left or right without protection. Its functionality is strong, with reliable recognition and decision-making.
In terms of high-speed NOA, the FAW Toyota bZ5 stands out in the leading group. It offers lane centering, lane keeping, deviation warnings, automatic lane changes, and large vehicle avoidance. It also automatically changes ramps and anticipates the speed of vehicles ahead to facilitate overtaking. This intelligent driving assistance system works well for long trips and daily commutes. Summary: FAW Toyota bZ5 has just begun full pre-sales, priced between 130,000 and 160,000 yuan (22210$), with three models available. Honestly, I found the price unappealing before the test drive. After driving it, I see the value. The price might drop further upon launch. Imagine owning a joint venture SUV with advanced intelligent driving assistance for around 150,000 yuan (20820$). Who could resist that? Are you interested in this car? Let’s discuss it.