Toyota and Subaru are jointly developing a new electric SUV that will be launched in the US, Europe, and Japan. The newest addition to Toyota’s global fleet is an electric SUV that complements the existing bZ4X and Solterra models.
Two more all-electric SUVs from Subaru and Toyota are slated for release in 2026.
Toyota and Subaru collaborated to introduce the bZ4X and Solterra models in May 2022. The electric SUV offerings from various manufacturers are largely built upon the e-TNGA platform, each brand incorporating its unique identity and styling cues.
According to a latest report, Toyota and Subaru are set to debut another jointly developed electric SUV in 2026. The brand’s inaugural electric SUV is poised for a global rollout across North America, Europe, and Japan, as Japanese manufacturers seek to expand their footprint in international markets.
While Subaru’s initial sentiment is valid, the statement could be rephrased to better convey its intended meaning: “We face significant risks if we don’t collaborate in this domain.” “
Manufacturing operations are scheduled to commence in January 2026 at Subaru’s Yajima facility in Japan, according to the latest report. Subaru intends to boost its manufacturing capacity by 15,000 to 20,000 units per month.
Subaru and Toyota’s upcoming electric SUV is set to inherit design cues from its bZ4X and Solterra siblings, aiming to reduce costs while retaining essential features.
Subaru aims to make 50% of its global revenue, approximately $600,000, come from all-electric vehicles by 2030 under its new strategy. The automaker’s announcement represents a significant departure from its original objective of offering a 40% hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) and electric vehicle (EV) lineup.
Toyota is pushing back plans to build its three-row electric SUV in Kentucky until the first half of 2026. Preliminary plans envision the commencement of production in 2025.
Electrek’s Take
After its launch more than two years ago in the US, Toyota’s and Subaru’s electric SUVs have yet to gain significant traction.
As of the first nine months in 2024, Toyota has sold approximately 13,577 units of its bZ4X model in the United States. Subaru has acquired 9,137 units of Solterra fashion. As several prominent US-based automobile manufacturers have either postponed or scrapped their primary electric vehicle initiatives, a window of opportunity has emerged for international companies to capitalize on market share gains.
Ford has scrapped plans for a three-row electric SUV, potentially benefiting Toyota’s forthcoming model by reducing competition in the market. Despite this, it’s not scheduled for release until at least 2026.
Meanwhile, several automakers, including Kia, are quietly gaining traction and poaching market share from established players. Kia sold nearly 16,000 EV9 models in the US through September, outpacing both the bZ4X and Solterra, despite only being introduced in December 2022.
Hyundai is poised to debut its inaugural three-row electric SUV, the IONIQ 9, in the latter half of this year. The all-electric F-150 will likely be manufactured in the United States at Ford’s new electric vehicle facility in Georgia.
As Volvo expands its electric offerings in the US market, the Swedish automaker will introduce a new three-row electric SUV, the EX90, to join the ranks of electrified vehicles like the XC40 Recharge. As electric vehicles continue to gain traction, major manufacturers such as General Motors’ Chevrolet and Honda are disclosing impressive sales figures for their latest electric models.
A potential collaboration between Toyota and Subaru on an electric SUV could have exciting implications for the automotive industry? Despite reservations, it may still prove insufficiently timely.
