- Toyota teased the exterior and interior of a new three-row SUV.
- Production rumored for Kentucky using U.S.-sourced batteries.
- The model will be fully revealed on Tuesday, February 10.
A big reveal is just around the corner for Toyota, and it’s shaping up to be one of the brand’s most important new models of the year. Teased earlier this week and set to debut on February 10, the automaker is about to introduce a new three-row SUV, and there’s a strong chance it will be fully electric.
We’ve speculated that this new model could step in as a successor to the aging Highlander SUV, though it’s unclear whether Toyota will stick with that name, adapt it to something like “bZ Highlander,” or go in a different direction altogether.
Read: Toyota Teaser Confirms Three-Row SUV That May Replace The Highlander
This model has been a long time coming. Toyota first offered a glimpse of its planned seven-seat SUV back in late 2021, referring to it then as the bZ Large Concept. The latest teasers strongly suggest the production version is finally here, giving us a much clearer idea of what to expect.
Design Echoes the bZ Family
Nikita Chuyko/Kolesa
As shown in these renderings, created by Nikita Chuyko for Kolesa and based on the original concept, the new SUV appears to follow the same design language as Toyota’s existing bZ models. The front end features headlights reminiscent of the original bZ, formerly known as the bZ4X, along with a blacked-out lower grille and prominent vertical air curtains.
The side profile isn’t particularly striking, but these renders do show the new SUV with very thin A-, B-, and C-pillars, just like the original concept. This should greatly improve visibility and help give the cabin a light, airy feel.
It has also been designed with both pop-out and traditional door handles. If Toyota is thinking ahead, it’ll stick with them, especially since China has now banned retractable versions and other countries could soon follow.
Nikita Chuyko/Kolesa
These renderings also depict the new model with standard wing mirrors and rear-facing cameras in place of the mirrors. Given that no other Toyota has digital wing mirrors, we’d be surprised if this one does, but it’s not beyond the realm of possibility.
At the back, the design includes a full-width LED light bar connecting two taillight units, echoing styling trends across the industry.
Inside the Three-Row Cabin
After previewing the exterior, Toyota followed up with an interior teaser confirming the vehicle’s three-row layout. In the version shown, it appears to adopt either a 2+2+3 or 2+2+2 configuration with second-row captain’s chairs. Still, Toyota may offer an option with a bench seat in the second row, potentially increasing total capacity by one.
Front and center on the dash is a wide, horizontally oriented touchscreen perched above a row of physical buttons, possibly for climate control, volume, and other secondary functions. The driver has a separate, large digital gauge cluster. Second-row passengers, meanwhile, have access to their own climate controls housed within a dedicated center console.
Other visible elements include ambient lighting integrated into the door panels and a panoramic glass roof that appears to extend at least to the second row.
Toyota is expected to sell this new model in several different markets, with a particular focus on the US, where it will be sold alongside the current ICE Grand Highlander.
While official confirmation is still pending, this vehicle is believed to be the electric three-row SUV that Toyota has already announced for production at its Kentucky facility, powered by batteries sourced from North Carolina. As for timing, it’s rumored to launch sometime later this year.
Illustrations Carscoops / Thanos Pappas
