Toyota Is Making A Three-Row EV

Toyota is the undisputed hybrid champion. The big Japanese automaker sort of invented this fuel-saving expertise, after which commercialized it round 30 years in the past with the Prius hatchback. At present, the corporate affords actually dozens of electrified automobiles, seemingly greater than some other producer in North America.

Paradoxically, regardless of Toyota’s hybrid dominance, the corporate has lagged rivals relating to purely electrical automobiles. The bZ4X and its Lexus equal, as an illustration, are mediocre merchandise at greatest, regardless that each are being considerably improved for 2026. Other than these automobiles which can be receiving some much-needed consideration, Toyota can also be reportedly creating a three-row EV, a product that will compete with automobiles just like the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9. Particulars are scarce proper now, however right here’s what we learn about this battery-powered household hauler to this point.

To provide the most modern and correct info attainable, the information used to compile this text was sourced from varied producers and different authoritative sources, together with Automotive Information, Automobile and Driver, and Electrek. Pictures used for reference functions.

Toyota’s Lengthy-Awaited Entry Into The Three-Row EV House

For households that need to go electrical, there are presently only a few EVs accessible with third-row seats. The Hyundai and Kia choices listed above are most likely the perfect all-around choices, however there’s additionally the wonky, costly, and quickly ageing Tesla Mannequin X, the too-small Mercedes-Benz EQB, and we are able to’t overlook concerning the pretty however expensive Lucid Gravity. At this level, the time is correct for Toyota to introduce its personal three-row all-electric utility car.

Toyota Confirms A New Three-Row Electrical SUV Is In Growth

Automakers’ plans are at all times a sensitive topic, one thing they by no means, ever need to touch upon; nevertheless, Toyota has confirmed it’s engaged on a three-row EV. In line with a narrative from Automotive Information, the automaker defined they plan to “produce two all-new, three-row battery electrical SUVs within the U.S.” This might reportedly embody a Toyota (duh), but additionally a intently associated Subaru mannequin. The 2 Japanese automakers have already partnered on a number of automobiles, together with the GR86 and BRZ sports activities vehicles, and extra lately, the bZ4X and Solterra EVs, so the continuation of this relationship isn’t any shock.

Concentrating on Rising Demand For Household-Sized Electrical Crossovers

In comparison with markets like China, the transition from combustion-powered automobiles to electrics has been rocky and sluggish in North America. Nonetheless, EV gross sales are typically rising, and if automakers need to proceed transferring the needle, the market calls for extra three-row choices. As soon as households can ditch their gas-powered SUVs and change them with a three-row electrical car, gross sales are positive to extend.

Anticipated To Arrive In 2027

OK, so we all know Toyota is planning on introducing a three-row, all-electric utility car, however we’re not totally positive when this SUV will hit the market. This machine has not been revealed, which strongly signifies it’s a minimum of two years away. It takes a minimum of that lengthy – or longer – to design, engineer, and begin manufacturing virtually any car nowadays. Underscoring this timeframe, it’s reported that Toyota is planning on introducing a whopping 10 new EVs globally by the yr 2027. It appears seemingly a three-row mannequin for North America can be included in that product offensive.

Will Be Constructed In The U.S. At Toyota’s Kentucky Plant

As soon as once more, in keeping with Automotive Information, Toyota’s upcoming three-row electrical is slated to be assembled on the firm’s manufacturing facility in Georgetown, Kentucky. The automaker is reportedly consolidating its EV manufacturing at this manufacturing plant, relatively than assembling electrics at a variety of various factories. This transfer will seemingly streamline logistics, making the lives of everybody concerned just a bit simpler.

Makes use of A New Platform And Superior Battery Tech

There are a whole lot of unknowns proper now, however since Toyota doesn’t presently have a three-row SUV in its product portfolio, it’s attainable – perhaps even possible – that this mannequin will trip atop a brand new structure designed for electrical automobiles. Corroborating this, the automaker reportedly introduced a brand new EV platform was scheduled for round 2026. With a give attention to delivering “far higher effectivity,” this might doubtlessly double the vary of the pre-refreshed bZ4X, which topped out at a mere 252 miles on a cost. If Toyota can ship a three-row SUV with greater than 500 miles of vary (and the car doesn’t begin at, like, $150,000), they may have an actual winner on their proverbial fingers.

The automaker can also be arduous at work creating solid-state batteries, an energy-storage expertise that provides large benefits over the cell designs presently accessible. Toyota is predicted to introduce a manufacturing model of this expertise within the subsequent few years, so it’s attainable the corporate’s new EV SUV may very well be powered by solid-state batteries.

What It May Compete With

Given Toyota’s popularity for unimpeachable high quality and enduring dependability, any three-row EV Toyota affords will certainly be constructed to final and sure extremely popular with the motoring public. If the automaker can strike whereas the iron is sizzling, that’s, earlier than different rival producers introduce related automobiles, Toyota may dominate the phase.

Anticipated Rivals Embody Kia EV9, Rivian R1S, And Tesla Mannequin X

Manufacturers like Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Jeep, Mazda, and even Nissan don’t presently supply electrical automobiles with three rows of seats. These are huge gamers within the automotive business, and if Toyota can beat them to market, it would have an enormous benefit. Sadly, as talked about earlier, some opponents already supply utility automobiles like these.

The Kia EV9 is funky-looking and really practical. There’s the intently associated Hyundai Ioniq 9; well-heeled consumers may additionally contemplate the rugged Rivian R1S and, in fact, Tesla nonetheless affords its Mannequin X, full with its bizarre Falcon Wing doorways. Drivers who need one thing completely totally different must also contemplate the Volkswagen ID.Buzz, a retro-inspired all-electric van with three rows of seats and a few very cool design particulars.

Three Rows, Doubtless Seating For Seven Or Eight

This upcoming Toyota ought to have room for the entire household. Like different three-row SUVs, this car will seemingly have seating for both seven or eight folks. Many bigger SUVs nowadays have two seats up entrance, after which two three-person benches within the again. Increased-end trim ranges sometimes supply a pair of second-row bucket seats for an added sprint of luxurious on the expense of 1 seating place.

Early Expectations And Toyota’s EV Technique

Count on any three-row Toyota SUV to be much like the Highlander and presumably even the bigger Grand Highlander. The truth is, this upcoming electrical car might even share the Highlander title. And that will be incredible information as a result of bZ4X is critically clunky, and the Lexus RZ vary is scarcely any higher.

Half Of Toyota’s Expanded U.S. EV Push

Together with the up to date bZ4X and Lexus RZ, Toyota’s upcoming giant EV is a part of a giant shift to electrical automobiles. The automaker has been behind rival firms on this space, however that’s more likely to change within the subsequent couple of years. As talked about, globally, the corporate is predicted to introduce 10 new EVs by 2027. What number of of these will likely be supplied in North America stays to be seen, however any new fashions will likely be welcome additions to the Toyota lineup.

Indicators A Extra Critical Dedication To Full Electrification

Because of their unbelievable gasoline economic system, hybrid automobiles are a incredible answer for a lot of drivers, and Toyota affords extra of those automobiles than most likely some other automaker. However finally, EVs are the long run, since, in the long term, they’re much more environment friendly, considerably so. This Japanese automaker has been far behind rivals within the electrical car race, however it seems like Toyota is working arduous to catch up, and a battery-powered three-row crossover may completely be a transformative product for the model.