Toyota Comes Up With A 'Tesla Killer' - New Crossover bZ5 To Rival Model Y At Half The Price

The electric vehicle (EV) market just got a jolt, and it's coming from an unexpected corner: Toyota.

The Japanese automaker, long a hybrid pioneer, is now gunning for Tesla's crown with its bZ5 electric crossover, a sleek, affordable rival to the Tesla Model Y.

Priced at a jaw-dropping £14,400 ($19,334), the bZ5 is nearly half the cost of the Model Y's £30,400 ($40,8370) base price in China.

Packed with BYD's cutting-edge batteries and a range to rival its pricier competitor, is this the Tesla killer everyone's buzzing about?

Let's explore how Toyota's bZ5 is shaking up the EV game.

Challenge Tesla's Dominance

Toyota's bZ5, launched on 16 May 2025, is a fastback crossover that matches the Model Y's footprint but undercuts its price dramatically.

Built on Toyota's e-TNGA platform and manufactured by the FAW-Toyota joint venture in China, the bZ5 boasts BYD Blade LFP batteries with 65.28 kWh or 73.98 kWh capacities, offering 550 km (342 miles) or 630 km (391 miles) of CLTC range.

Compare that to the Model Y's 554 km (344 miles) range, and the bZ5 holds its own. Its 268 hp electric motor delivers 330 Nm of torque, ensuring zippy performance. With a 30-80% charge in just 27 minutes, it's practical for on-the-go drivers.

Posts on X call it a 'BYD/Toyota cooperation yielding more fruit?,' with some claiming Toyota's catching up fast.

Slash Costs with Smart Partnerships

Toyota's secret weapon? Partnering with BYD, China's EV giant. The bZ5's lithium-iron-phosphate batteries are cheaper and safer, using abundant iron instead of costly cobalt, making the £14,400 ($19,344) starting price possible.

This collaboration allows Toyota to compete in China's cutthroat EV market, where pre-sales for the bZ5 hit the ground running in April 2025. The crossover's sleek design, hammerhead front, panoramic sunroof, and full-width taillights, adds style to its affordability.

Inside, a 15.6-inch touchscreen with Momenta 5.0 intelligent driving tech offers over 30 features, from parking assist to highway navigation, rivaling Tesla's tech-heavy approach.

Capture the Budget EV Market

While Tesla's Model Y dominates globally, its price tag alienates budget-conscious buyers. The bZ5 fills this gap, targeting China's booming EV market, where 35,900 vehicles rolled off FAW-Toyota's lines from January to April 2025, up 34% year-on-year.

Unlike the Model Y, the bZ5's affordability and BYD's battery tech make it a serious contender for cost-sensitive buyers. However, it's China-exclusive for now, with no confirmed plans for Europe or the US, leaving some X users skeptical about its global impact.

Still, Toyota's aggressive pricing and 21-inch rims signal a bold push to disrupt Tesla's reign.

Toyota's Budget Bet Shocks the EV World

The Toyota bZ5 isn't just a car; it's a statement. By blending BYD's battery expertise with Toyota's engineering prowess, the bZ5 offers Model Y-like performance at Corolla-like prices, a game-changer in the EV race.

While it may not dethrone Tesla globally, its £14,400 ($19,344) price tag and 630 km range make it a formidable foe in China.

As Toyota ramps up its bZ lineup, the message is clear: the EV market is no longer Tesla's playground anymore with many major and minor companies giving them a run for their money. The bZ5's rise proves affordability and innovation can coexist, watch out, Elon.