Toyota has released a shadowy teaser image of an upcoming SUV, sparking speculation it could preview a new three-row electric model that may eventually come to Australia.
The single image, shared by Toyota North America with the words “Something new is on the horizon”, shows the rear of a large, upright SUV. While details are deliberately hidden, the proportions suggest a boxier, more substantial vehicle than Toyota’s current electric offering, the bZ4X.
Key visual clues include pronounced rear guards, a wide stance, and a full-width LED tail-light bar housed within a rectangular frame. A short animation released alongside the image also reveals roof rails, a shark-fin antenna and what appears to be a production-ready interior, complete with large head restraints and a central infotainment screen.
Three-row EV under consideration
Toyota North America has previously confirmed it will build two three-row electric SUVs at its Georgetown, Kentucky factory, with production expected later this decade. The teased model is widely tipped to be one of these vehicles, potentially arriving globally around 2027.
For Australia, the significance is clear. Toyota currently has no direct rival to large electric SUVs such as the Kia EV9 or the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 9, both of which offer seven seats and family-focused practicality.
LandCruiser EV or electric Kluger?
Two likely candidates stand out.
One is a production version of the LandCruiser SE concept, revealed in 2023. That vehicle is a unibody electric SUV measuring just over 5.15 metres long, placing it firmly in large-SUV territory. Toyota has previously hinted that this concept could become a global model, and Toyota Australia has already expressed interest in it.
The other possibility is an electric successor to the Toyota Kluger (Highlander). Toyota previewed a large electric SUV as far back as 2021 with its bZ Large SUV concept, which closely matches the size and shape seen in the teaser. With the current Kluger now five years old and increasingly overshadowed by the newer Grand Highlander overseas, a clean-sheet electric replacement would make sense.
No Australia confirmation…… yet
Notably, the teaser has appeared only on Toyota’s North American channels, not on its global or Australian media sites. However, Toyota Australia says it is actively assessing future EV opportunities.
“Toyota Australia is constantly evaluating its local lineup to provide the best options for our Australian customers,” a spokesperson said.
Australia already imports US-built Toyotas, including the Kluger, and Toyota has confirmed it will begin exporting US-made vehicles back to Japan from 2026, suggesting broader global ambitions for future models.
Toyota’s EV roadmap for Australia
Toyota has been cautious with electric vehicles, focusing heavily on hybrids, a strategy that continues to pay off in Australia. However, its local EV plans are now accelerating.
Confirmed or expected electric models for Australia include:
- Toyota bZ4X (on sale now)
- Toyota bZ4X Touring (due in 2026)
- Electric Toyota HiLux (expected 2026)
- Electric Toyota C-HR (expected 2027)
If this teased SUV does make it here, it would fill a major gap in Toyota’s line-up and mark the brand’s first serious move into large, family-sized electric SUVs.
For now, Toyota is staying quiet, but with a production-ready teaser already out, more details are likely just around the corner.
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