Toyota Teases New SUV, What Could It Be? The EV Heavyweight Is Almost Here | Toyota EV SUV Teaser, Electric Car Specs | CarStream247
You’re scrolling through your feed, and suddenly Toyota drops a shadowy photo of a massive new SUV with the words “Something New is On the Horizon.”
Your first thought? Another hybrid RAV4? A bigger Highlander? Maybe a electric version of the beloved Land Cruiser? Well, grab your coffee, because the answer is actually way more interesting—and way more electric—than you probably expected.
Toyota just teased what appears to be its largest electric SUV yet, and it’s gunning straight for the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9 . Here’s everything we know about the mystery machine.
TL;DR
Toyota has released an official teaser image of a new large, three-row electric SUV under the headline “Something New is On the Horizon” . The vehicle, likely called the Toyota bZ5X, is a full-size, pure-electric SUV designed to compete with the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9 . It will be built at Toyota’s Georgetown plant in Kentucky with batteries from Toyota North Carolina, targeting the US market first . The bZ5X is expected to offer six to eight seats, measure roughly 5.0 meters long (similar to a Kluger/Highlander), and feature battery capacity up to 100kWh with a potential solar roof option . Meanwhile, Toyota is also launching the smaller bZ4X Touring—a more spacious, rugged wagon-style EV—in the UK this July, with more power and up to 600 liters of cargo space .
The Teaser: What We Actually Saw
On January 27, 2026, Toyota Motor Sales USA released a single, dimly lit image . You can’t see much—just the silhouette of a massive SUV, all sharp lines and imposing stance. But the tagline said enough: “Something New is On the Horizon.”
Initial reports suggest this is the Toyota bZ5X, a full-size, three-row, pure-electric SUV . Think of it as the big brother to the current bZ4X. Where the bZ4X is a compact crossover, the bZ5X is built for families who need actual third-row seating.
Here’s where it gets interesting. The bZ5X is roughly the size of a Toyota Kluger (known as the Highlander in the US), with an overall length of around 5.0 meters . That’s about 197 inches—substantially larger than the bZ4X and squarely in competition with the Kia EV9.
The bZ5X: Toyota’s EV9 Fighter
Let me break down what we know about this upcoming electric beast.
Built in America, For America
Toyota isn’t importing this one. The bZ5X will be manufactured at the brand’s Georgetown plant in Northern Kentucky, with batteries produced at Toyota North Carolina . That’s a deliberate strategy to qualify for US tax incentives and avoid supply chain headaches.
Originally scheduled for a 2025 launch, the bZ5X was reportedly postponed due to “stronger than expected demand for petrol and hybrid alternatives” . But clearly, Toyota’s commitment to have six pure-electric vehicles on sale by the end of 2026 is back on track .
What’s Under the Skin
Rumored specifications (nothing official yet, so take these with a grain of salt) include:
- Battery capacity up to 100kWh – That’s massive, even by EV standards
- A potential solar roof option – Because why not harvest some free energy while parked?
- Six to eight seats – Configurable for families of all sizes
- Likely 350+ miles of range – If the battery really is 100kWh, this is realistic
The bZ5X could also form the basis of a next-generation electric Lexus TX . Lexus buyers get the luxury version; Toyota buyers get the value version. Same bones, different suit.
Who Is It For?
If you have three kids, a dog, and a garage that can fit a three-row SUV, the bZ5X is aimed directly at you. It’s for families who want to go electric but refuse to sacrifice space.
The Kia EV9 has proven there’s a market for large electric SUVs. The bZ5X is Toyota’s answer .
The bZ4X Touring: The Other New SUV You Should Know About
While the bZ5X is the headline grabber, Toyota quietly launched another new SUV variant that might actually be more relevant to everyday drivers.
Meet the Toyota bZ4X Touring . Available to order in the UK from June 2026 with deliveries starting in July, this is essentially a wagon-ized version of the standard bZ4X .
What Makes It “Touring”?
The bZ4X Touring is designed for people who need cargo space. Lots of it.
- 140mm longer and 20mm taller than the standard bZ4X
- 600 liters of cargo capacity – one-third more than the regular version
- Flexible 40:60 rear seat arrangement
Visually, it gets a more rugged look with a grained black finish for the wheel arches, black wheels, and robust roof rails that can carry up to 80kg of gear . Think of it as the EV equivalent of a Subaru Outback.
Powertrain Options
The bZ4X Touring comes in two flavors:
Design (Front-Wheel Drive):
- 221 horsepower
- 74.7 kWh battery
- 11kW onboard charger
Excel (All-Wheel Drive):
- 376 horsepower – making it the most powerful non-sports Toyota on the market
- 74.7 kWh battery
- 22kW onboard charger
- Towing capacity up to 1,500kg
Both versions support DC fast charging up to 150kW . That’s not class-leading (Hyundai and Kia do 240kW+), but it’s respectable for a family hauler.
The Excel’s 376 horsepower figure is genuinely impressive. That’s more power than a GR Corolla. In a family wagon. Let that sink in.
How They Compare: bZ5X vs bZ4X Touring vs Competition
| Model | Segment | Battery | Power | Range (est.) | Seats/Cargo | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota bZ5X | Large 3-row EV SUV | Up to 100kWh | TBA | 350+ miles | 6-8 seats | Large families needing serious EV range |
| Toyota bZ4X Touring | Midsize EV Wagon/SUV | 74.7 kWh | 221-376 hp | ~250 miles | 600L cargo | Active families who need cargo space |
| Kia EV9 | Large 3-row EV SUV | 76.1-99.8 kWh | 215-379 hp | 270-304 miles | 6-7 seats | The current benchmark Toyota is chasing |
| Hyundai Ioniq 9 | Large 3-row EV SUV | 110.3 kWh | 215-320 hp | 280-335 miles | 6-7 seats | Range-focused alternative |
| Toyota bZ4X (std) | Compact EV SUV | 71.4 kWh | 201-214 hp | 222-252 miles | 5 seats | Daily commuting, smaller families |
Source: and manufacturer specs
What About the Land Cruiser FJ? (Spoiler: Not Coming to the US)
You might have seen headlines about a new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ . Before you get excited, let me save you some disappointment.
The Land Cruiser FJ is a smaller, retro-styled off-roader revealed at the Japan Mobility Show in late 2025 . It’s built on the same IMV platform as the Hilux Champ pickup and features a naturally aspirated 2.7-liter four-cylinder gas engine making just 160 horsepower .
Sounds cute, right? Here’s the catch.
Toyota Chief Engineer Masaya Uchiyama told Automotive News: “There are no plans for America or Europe. The start point for this is the global South.”
The FJ will be sold across Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America starting mid-2026 . It’s too small and underpowered for US tastes, apparently. So if you want a boxy retro Toyota off-roader, you’re out of luck—unless you move to Thailand.
The Bigger Picture: Toyota’s EV Blitz
The bZ5X teaser is just one piece of a much larger puzzle.
Toyota has committed to having six pure-electric vehicles on sale globally by the end of 2026 . We’ve already seen:
- bZ4X – The compact crossover that started it all
- bZ4X Touring – The new wagon version launching July 2026
- bZ5X – The large three-row teased in January
- Urban Cruiser – A B-segment city EV (Europe/Asia)
- C-HR+ – A compact EV for Europe
- Land Cruiser Se – A production version of the electric off-roader concept
And that’s not counting the Toyota bZ3X, a China-only compact EV that starts at just $14,000 but will never see US shores .
Why so many EVs all of a sudden? Toyota spent years criticized for being slow to electrify. Now they’re playing catch-up—but they’re doing it their way. Hybrids first, then plug-ins, then a full EV lineup. The bZ5X is the flagship of that strategy.
Real-World Impact: Should You Wait for the bZ5X?
If you’re in the market for a three-row SUV right now, you have a decision to make.
Buy now (Kia EV9, Hyundai Ioniq 9, or gas Highlander) if:
- You need a vehicle in the next 6-12 months
- You’re not willing to pay a premium for Toyota’s first-gen large EV
- You prefer proven technology over waiting for “what’s next”
Wait for the bZ5X if:
- You’re a Toyota loyalist who wants to stay in the family
- You believe Toyota’s legendary reliability will translate to EVs
- You can wait until late 2026 or early 2027 for delivery
- You want a three-row EV built in America (tax credit!)
The bZ5X won’t be cheap. Kia EV9 starts around $55,000; Hyundai Ioniq 9 around $60,000. Expect Toyota to land somewhere in that range, possibly a bit lower to steal market share.
FAQ
What is the new Toyota SUV teased in January 2026?
It’s expected to be the Toyota bZ5X, a large, three-row, pure-electric SUV designed to compete with the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9 . A teaser image was released under the headline “Something New is On the Horizon.”
When will the Toyota bZ5X go on sale?
Originally scheduled for 2025, the bZ5X was reportedly delayed but is now back on track for Toyota’s goal of six EVs by end of 2026 . Expect a late 2026 or early 2027 launch.
Will the bZ5X be sold in the US?
Yes. The bZ5X is being manufactured at Toyota’s Georgetown plant in Kentucky specifically for the US market . Batteries will come from Toyota North Carolina.
What is the Toyota bZ4X Touring?
The bZ4X Touring is a new, more spacious version of the standard bZ4X, featuring 600 liters of cargo space (one-third more than standard), a more rugged design, and up to 376 horsepower in AWD form . It launches in the UK in July 2026.
Is the Land Cruiser FJ coming to America?
No. The Land Cruiser FJ is a smaller, gas-powered off-roader for Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America . Toyota has confirmed no US or Europe plans.
How does the bZ5X compare to the Kia EV9?
Both are large three-row electric SUVs. The bZ5X is expected to have a battery up to 100kWh (similar to EV9’s largest pack) and offer six to eight seats . Final specs aren’t released yet, but Toyota is clearly targeting the segment the EV9 created.
What other EVs is Toyota launching?
Toyota plans six pure EVs by end of 2026, including the bZ4X, bZ4X Touring, bZ5X, Urban Cruiser, C-HR+, and a production version of the Land Cruiser Se concept .
The Bottom Line
“Something New is On the Horizon.” — Toyota Motor Sales USA teaser, January 2026
Toyota’s teaser image doesn’t show much. A shadow here, a curve there. But the implications are enormous .
For years, critics said Toyota was dragging its feet on EVs. The bZ4X was fine, but not class-leading. The Mirai was a hydrogen curiosity. Meanwhile, Kia and Hyundai were eating Toyota’s lunch with the EV6, EV9, and Ioniq lineup.
The bZ5X is Toyota’s answer. A big, bold, American-built electric SUV for families who want three rows and zero gas stations.
Will it be worth the wait? That depends on execution. Toyota knows how to build reliable vehicles. But EVs are different—batteries, charging speed, software, range. The competition isn’t standing still. By the time the bZ5X arrives, the EV9 will be on its second or third model year.
Still, counting out Toyota is never smart. They’ve been the world’s largest automaker for a reason. And with the bZ5X, they’re finally bringing the fight to the EV segment that matters most: the family hauler.
Always check local availability, pricing, and official Toyota announcements before making purchase decisions. The bZ5X hasn’t been officially named or dated yet—these are industry reports and rumors, not confirmed facts.
This is one of those developments worth watching if you’re planning a family vehicle purchase in the next 18 months. The three-row electric SUV segment is about to get a lot more interesting.
