- Toyota and Subaru are working on a pair of EVs, to be sold in Japan, Europe, and the US.
- The zero-emission SUV twins are expected to compete in the compact SUV segment.
- Subaru will reportedly undertake production of the EVs in Japan, starting January 2026.
The Toyota bZ4x has just received a mid-cycle update, and it looks like its Subaru twin, the Solterra, may soon follow suit. But these two crossovers won’t be the only EVs born from the Toyota-Subaru partnership. In 2026, the automakers are reportedly planning to expand their lineup with a pair of new compact SUVs.
More: Toyota’s New C-HR+ EV May Launch In The US Next Year
In an effort to keep research and development costs manageable, these new compact SUVs are expected to share key components with the e-TNGA platform already used by the bZ4x and Solterra. This includes components like battery packs and electric motors. This collaboration allows both Toyota and Subaru to cut costs and allocate more resources to other projects.
New EV Models Teased by Toyota
Earlier this week, Toyota teased three new EVs that will launch by 2026. These will join the ranks of the bZ4x, C-HR+, and Urban Cruiser in Toyota’s lineup. Two of the teased vehicles seem to be production versions of the EPU pickup and the Land Cruiser SE, both of which were shown as concepts in 2023. This has led to speculation that the third teaser might be the compact SUV that Toyota and Subaru are working on together.
If this is indeed the case, the new EVs are expected to adopt a more traditional SUV shape compared to the bZ4x and Solterra crossovers. The design hints at a profile similar to the upcoming Toyota RAV4, with a sharp nose, roof rails, and a more upright rear end. While the Toyota and Subaru versions will likely share much of their exterior and interior design, each will probably feature a distinctive front end to help buyers tell them apart.
Expanding the EV Market in Key Regions
According to Best Car, these new compact SUVs will be available in Japan, Europe, and the U.S., broadening both Toyota and Subaru’s zero-emission offerings in the compact SUV segment. Unlike the bZ4x and Solterra, which are currently produced at Toyota’s Motomachi Plant, the new jointly-developed models will reportedly be built at Subaru’s Yajima plant in Japan, with production set to start in January 2026.
While Toyota already offers three EVs (bZ4x, CH-R+, and Urban Cruiser) in Europe, the Solterra remains the sole zero-emission offering in Subaru’s global lineup. That will soon change, with this new SUV being one of four electric models Subaru plans to launch in collaboration with Toyota.
Subaru’s Own EV Ambitions
In addition to the jointly-developed vehicles, Subaru has its sights set on launching its first in-house-developed electric vehicle by 2028. These launches are part of a broader effort to have battery-electric vehicles account for half of Subaru’s global sales by 2030, a goal that will likely require a mix of joint and solo ventures, with both Toyota and Subaru continuing to expand their electric offerings over the next several years.
