Toyota’s 2025 Big Electric SUV: Everything You Need to Know

It’ll have three rows of seats, and may be called the bZ5X.

Published February 7, 2024

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Toyota has lagged well behind its rivals at launching EVs. The bZ4X and its sibling Lexus RZ are the only Toyota EVs to hit dealers so far, but that’s about to change.

In a “New Management Policy & Direction” announcement issued in April 2023, Toyota confirmed that a new electric three-row family crossover is arriving in America to rival the new Kia EV9 and upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 7.

Here’s what we know about the new SUV so far.

What name will Toyota’s new 3-row SUV get?

Toyota has not confirmed a name yet for the three-row SUV. Toyota could stick with its current bZ nomenclature and call it something like the bZ5X (although we hope not). Alternatively, Toyota could lean on existing branding like the Grand Highlander; it could also choose a different direction entirely.

What will Toyota’s new 3-row electric SUV look like?

We haven’t seen any pictures of the new SUV in testing yet. Our best bet is that it resembles the “bZ large SUV” concept Toyota unveiled as part of its initial EV roadmap preview in 2021.

toyota bz large suv concept — Toyota’s “bZ Large SUV” concept should offer a preview of what the 3-row, electric bZ5X SUV will look like.

How much range will Toyota’s new 3-row electric SUV have?

Toyota has not revealed EPA range estimates yet for the new SUV. We do know Toyota is plotting some major advancements in EV battery tech that could increase range and reduce costs, dramatically. It’s not clear yet whether that technology will arrive in time for this vehicle.

The bZ4X and its rebadged siblings average around 220–230 miles of max range in AWD spec. We would expect the bZ5X to do a bit better than that (but not dramatically better) and hopefully provide faster charging.

Toyota’s new SUV may qualify for the federal tax credit

Federal tax credit guidelines have gotten more stringent since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, but Toyota’s new SUV should have a good chance at qualifying for it. Toyota is building the new SUV in America (and investing $1.3 billion in its Kentucky plant to do so). Toyota will also produce the batteries at a Toyota facility in North Carolina. That should mean the vehicle complies, if components are sourced correctly.

A three-row electric SUV makes sense for Toyota

Having a three-row EV option alongside the Highlander Hybrid and the new Grand Highlander makes sense for Toyota. It’s about as much of a no-brainer as getting an electric pickup version of the Tacoma to market.

The trouble for Toyota may be that Kia is already getting the EV9 to market this year. Hyundai should follow soon with the Ioniq 7. The EV market in 2025 will be even more mature than the current marketplace. And Toyota’s new SUV — built on the same architecture — may face similar technological constraints.

lexus electrified suv concept — Lexus also showed off an Electrified SUV concept that looks a lot like Toyota’s bZ Large SUV concept.

Will there be rebadged Lexus and Subaru versions, too?

Yes. Automotive News reports that Toyota will build a version of the 3-Row SUV for Subaru in Kentucky. Lexus has not revealed its plans yet. But we would not be surprised to see a version launch as the TZ.

When will Toyota’s new SUV arrive?

Toyota has not confirmed reveal and production launch dates for the new three-row SUV yet. Toyota told CNBC that the new vehicle would arrive in late 2025 or early 2026.

Toyota 3-Row Electric SUV

Toyota is launching a new three-row electric family crossover for the U.S. market. It will be built at Toyota’s Kentucky plant and may spawn Lexus and Subaru versions.