The upcoming EVs are expected to have a more traditional SUV design compared to the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra
The Toyota bZ4X has just received a mid-cycle update, and its Subaru counterpart, the Solterra, may soon follow. However, these two crossovers won’t be the only EVs emerging from the Toyota-Subaru partnership. Reports suggest that in 2026, the automakers plan to expand their lineup with a pair of new compact electric SUVs.
To keep research and development costs manageable, these upcoming models are expected to share key components with the e-TNGA platform, already used by the bZ4X and Solterra. This includes elements like battery packs and electric motors. By collaborating, Toyota and Subaru can reduce expenses and allocate resources to other projects.
New EV Models Teased by Toyota
Earlier this week, Toyota teased three new EVs set to launch by 2026, joining the bZ4X, C-HR+, and Urban Cruiser in its lineup. Two of these appear to be production versions of the EPU pickup and the Land Cruiser SE, both originally shown as concepts in 2023. This has led to speculation that the third teaser might represent the compact SUV Toyota and Subaru are co-developing.
If true, these new EVs are expected to adopt a more conventional SUV shape compared to the bZ4X and Solterra crossovers. The design suggests a profile akin to the next-generation Toyota RAV4, featuring a sharper front end, roof rails, and a more upright rear. While the Toyota and Subaru versions will likely share much of their exterior and interior design, each is expected to have a unique front fascia to differentiate them.
Expanding the EV Market in Key Regions
According to Best Car, these new compact electric SUVs will be available in Japan, Europe, and the U.S., expanding Toyota and Subaru’s zero-emission offerings in the compact SUV segment. Unlike the bZ4X and Solterra, which are currently produced at Toyota’s Motomachi Plant, the new models will reportedly be built at Subaru’s Yajima plant in Japan, with production set to begin in January 2026.
While Toyota already offers three EVs—the bZ4X, C-HR+, and Urban Cruiser—in Europe, Subaru’s global electric lineup remains limited to the Solterra. That will soon change, as this new SUV is expected to be one of four electric models Subaru plans to launch in collaboration with Toyota.
Subaru’s Own EV Ambitions
Beyond its joint efforts with Toyota, Subaru is working on its first independently developed electric vehicle, expected to debut by 2028. These launches are part of Subaru’s broader strategy to have battery-electric vehicles account for half of its global sales by 2030. This ambitious goal will likely be achieved through a combination of joint ventures and in-house innovations, as both Toyota and Subaru continue to expand their electric vehicle offerings in the coming years.
