Toyota is gearing up to launch two new electric SUVs based on the RAV4 and Land Cruiser. The RAV4 and Land Cruiser EVs are set to replace a luxury Lexus model as Toyota shifts production plans.
When will Toyota launch the RAV4 and Land Cruiser EVs?
We knew Toyota was up to something. Reports have been surfacing for months about its plans to build new electric SUVs in Kentucky.
Toyota confirmed earlier this year that it “plans to produce two all-new, three-row battery electric SUVs in the US.”
Although it initially planned to build them at its manufacturing plant in Princeton, Indiana, the automaker announced last month that both will now be assembled at Toyota Kentucky.
According to a new Nikkei report, the two new EVs will be based on the Toyota RAV4 and Land Cruiser. A person close to the matter claimed that the new electric SUVs will replace the Lexus ES sedan, which is currently built in Kentucky.
The next-gen Lexus ES will be made in Japan and exported to the US, the source said, adding that the shift is not related to the new US auto tariffs.
However, like past reports, Nikkei claimed the move was part of Toyota’s broader plans to consolidate production. Lexus brand vehicles will reportedly be moved to a single location, while Toyota ramps up production of the larger Grand Highlander in Kentucky.
Top comment by Nims
How many SUV models do they need? Isn't the BZ already pretty similar in size to the RAV4?
Here is what a search revealed:
The Toyota bZ4X and the Toyota RAV4 are similar in overall size, but the bZ4X is slightly longer and lower than the RAV4. The bZ4X has a length of 184.6 inches (4,690 mm), which is 3.5 inches longer than the RAV4's 181.1 inches (4,600 mm). The bZ4X is also 3.3 inches lower in height at 65.0 inches (1,650 mm) compared to the RAV4's 66.3 inches (1,685 mm). The bZ4X has a wider overall width of 73.2 inches (1,860 mm) compared to the RAV4's 73.0 inches (1,855 mm).
The most significant dimensional difference is in the wheelbase, which is 112.2 inches (2,850 mm) for the bZ4X, significantly longer than the RAV4's 105.9 inches (2,690 mm). This longer wheelbase contributes to a more spacious interior in the bZ4X despite its similar exterior dimensions to the RAV4.
In terms of ground clearance, the RAV4 has a slight advantage with 8.4 inches (213 mm) compared to the bZ4X's 8.1 inches (206 mm). The bZ4X is also significantly heavier, with a curb weight of approximately 4,266 lbs (1,935 kg) compared to the RAV4's 3,370 lbs (1,529 kg).
Toyota responded to the report, saying it has not publicly announced the changes, but added that the company is reviewing production plans “to make ever-better cars.”
The RAV4 and Land Cruiser EVs are expected to be among seven new electric models Toyota launches in the US by mid-2027.
Following the updated bZ electric SUV, which will hit US dealerships soon, Toyota will introduce the C-HR and bZ Woodland crossover SUVs in 2026.
Toyota Motor North America vice president, David Christ, boasted that the company is “loading the bases” with new battery electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles on deck.
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