When will Toyota launch an electric SUV for under $20,000 in the US or Europe? We’ll keep dreaming. Toyota is launching the new bZ5 electric SUV next week in China amid an intensifying EV price war. The new SUV will draw power from BYD’s batteries and EV powertrain as Toyota looks to get a leg up on the competition.

Meet the Toyota bZ5 electric SUV, starting under $20,000

After the first bZ5 rolled off the production line at Toyota’s new energy production plant in China on May 16, the new electric SUV is about to officially hit the market.

FAW Toyota, the company’s joint venture in China, announced plans to launch the new electric SUV next week on June 10.

The bZ5 is already available for pre-sale, starting at just 130,000 yuan, or roughly $18,000. Two BYD Blade battery options are offered: 65.28 kWh or 73.98 kWh. The standard range battery provides a CLTC range of 550 km (342 miles), while the extended range pack offers a range of up to 630 km (391 miles).

Toyota’s new electric SUV will also draw power from a 200 kW (268 hp) EV motor from BYD’s battery unit, FinDreams.

The bZ5 is a step up from the Toyota models we are used to seeing, featuring its new hammerhead front end design with slim LED headlights and a full-length light bar.

Measuring 4,780 mm in length, 1,866 mm in width, and 1,510 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,880 mm, Toyota’s electric SUV is about the size of the new Tesla Model Y (4,797 mm length, 1,920 mm width, and 1,624 mm height, with a wheelbase of 2,890 mm).

The interior is pretty simple with a 15.6″ touchscreen infotainment system at the center, but it’s loaded with smart tech, including Momenta 5.0 smart driving tech. The system utilizes 33 sensors to support over 30 assisted driving features like city and highway navigation assist, parking assistance, and more.

Toyota’s new bZ5 will follow the bZ3X, which launched in China in March. The bZ3X is Toyota’s most affordable EV with prices starting at just 109,800 yuan ($15,000).

After opening orders on March 6, GAC Toyota, the company’s other joint venture, claimed it was “so popular that it crashed the server” with over 10,000 orders in an hour.

Will the BZ5 have the same reaction? Initial reviews have been positive so far. One test driver reported commuting about 50 km per day, and it takes ten days before they need to recharge. With fast charging (30% to 80%) in about 27 minutes, they said by the time they’re done ordering coffee, it’s ready to go.

Source: CarNewsChina, FAW Toyota