12-03-2025
Toyota's Big Reveal Event Shows Off 4 New EVs, Teases Electric Pickup Truck
Early Wednesday morning in Europe, Toyota unveiled four new or significantly updated electric vehicles — and Lexus managed to sneak one in, too. Even more enticing than the new product, though, was the teaser that came along with it: a shadowy image that previewed an upcoming electric pickup truck and electric Land Cruiser-esque EV while suggesting both would be revealed by the end of 2026.
The biggest downside to this teaser — apart from the shadows obscuring the images — is that Toyota specifies the vehicles in it are destined for the European market, offering no word on U.S. availability. Toyota didn't provide model names for the teased vehicles either (although Toyota Motor Europe director of marketing and product development Andrea Carlucci did tell Autocar that the automaker will use "familiar" names from "current cars" for its upcoming EVs), and while the pickup gives the impression of being Tacoma-sized, it doesn't match the silhouette of what Toyota previewed as the electric Hilux years ago.
The SUV to the right of the pickup, however, is more easily identified as the Land Cruiser Se revealed in 2023. Its proportions are virtually identical to that concept, but Toyota is leaving us with just as few details today as it did with the car's initial debut. For now, we know that it will be a European debut, and its future presence in the U.S. is unclear.
As for the new EVs Toyota fully revealed, let's start with the refreshed bZ4X. The big update in this mid-cycle refresh are new electric motors making significantly more power. Toyota's dual-motor version goes from a paltry 215 horsepower to a strong 343 ponies, while the single-motor version sees a 23-horse increase up to 224 hp. Battery updates see the model add a preconditioning function for better winter charging performance and a new 22 kW AC charger for faster home charging.
Toyota tweaked both the exterior and interior designs, though the differences are minimal with the biggest change being a new design for the center console that now houses two wireless phone chargers. Lastly, Toyota promises better driving dynamics and less cabin noise thanks to suspension improvements. Sadly, however, it's sticking with its unusual name.
The Toyota's Lexus cousin is the RZ, and it enjoys a thorough update that focuses even more on driving performance and engagement. Notably, Lexus is introducing something it calls Interactive Manual Drive; like the system in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, it simulates an eight-speed paddle-shifted transmission and provides feedback via replicated engine sounds and visuals in the form of a "shift guide meter" (which sounds a whole lot like a tachometer). Torque output is calculated to correspond with that of a combustion engine, and there's even a 'rev limiter' you can run into if you don't shift.
The RZ also gets more powerful, with up to 408 horsepower for the new RZ 550e F Sport model. This model also enjoys unique styling and a retuned suspension for sportier handling. Meanwhile, the whole lineup is treated to both rigidity improvements and AWD system enhancements. Lexus previewed its steer-by-wire yoke system years ago, but says it's finally coming to the market with this update, too.
Battery pack (now a 77 kWh unit) and electric system upgrades enable a range increase of up to around 62 miles, depending on the model. Plus, the same preconditioning update and AC charging speed increase to 22 kW as seen on the bZ4X apply to the RZ.
Next up is the fully-electric Toyota C-HR+ that sits just below the bZ4X, coming in about six inches shorter. One look at its styling sure makes it seem like a chip off the bZ4X's block, though, and its specs suggest the same. Two battery pack options — a 57.7 kWh and 77 kWh — are available, and you can choose between either front- or all-wheel-drive versions. Output is the same as the bZ4X, and its charging specs mirror the larger SUV, too, with DC fast charging maxing out at 150 kW. Even the interior looks the same as the bZ4X with the same odd cluster positioning and identical console/center stack arrangement. Like these last three cars, though, don't expect to see the C-HR+ EV in America.
The Toyota Urban Cruiser is an extra-small SUV, and is a totally new model this year. It shares the bZ4X's penchant for excessive body cladding, and its size is most similar to that of a Yaris Cross Hybrid, Toyota says. The Urban Cruiser is built on a new EV-dedicated platform and offers two battery pack options, the basic one being 49 kWh and the upgrade being 61 kWh.
Both FWD and AWD are available, with the dual-motor AWD version offering up 184 horsepower. You even get a Trail Mode and Downhill Assist Control with the AWD version. Tech is plentiful, too, as the Urban Cruiser gets both a 10.3-inch digital cluster and 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment.
The last Toyota to know about from today is the FT-Me concept. It's a two-seater designed for folks with entry-level driving licenses in Europe, allowing people as young as 14 to legally pilot it. Toyota says it features a solar panel system that can supply as much as 18 miles of range in a day. (Of course, that would require city dwellers to park in areas that see a lot of sunlight, which isn't always super-common in dense urban environments.) The FT-Me is also designed for accessibility, as it can be driven purely via hand controls on the steering wheel.
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