Toyota Releases First Official Photos of Its New Three-Row SUV, Confirms February 10 Debut

Toyota has finally moved past vague hints and made its teaser campaign more substantive. The company has published the first official photos and videos of a new SUV and, at the same time, confirmed the premiere date: the full reveal is scheduled for next week, on February 10. Even so, Toyota is still carefully avoiding key specifics—neither the exact model name nor details about the powertrain have been disclosed.

Even without official specifications, the teaser provides plenty to analyze. Based on the interior layout, this is clearly a large three-row vehicle, though not in a traditional eight-seat configuration. The setup suggests seating for either six or seven passengers, with the possibility of second-row captain’s chairs.

Visible features include:

• a large panoramic glass roof;
• USB ports integrated into the base of the C-pillars;
• a fully digital instrument cluster;
• a large, tablet-style infotainment screen on the center console.

Speculation about a three-row format didn’t come out of nowhere. Toyota previously showed concepts from its bZ family, and their proportions strongly hinted at a spacious interior. The new visuals essentially confirm those earlier assumptions: the body is long, the rear is substantial, and the overall architecture is clearly designed to maximize interior volume.

Another point of interest is how closely certain details match what has appeared in documents before. The side window design, with a small triangular section at the front, aligns with patent images that surfaced earlier. This strengthens the theory that what we’re seeing is not just another show car, but a production version of the large bZ SUV concept first revealed in 2021.

When you compare the body lines, the full-width rear light bar, and the overall proportions, the picture comes together logically: the teaser vehicle looks like a direct evolution of that original large bZ SUV concept.

A few years ago, Toyota spoke about launching a new wave of 15 models, with a strong emphasis on electric vehicles. Later, in 2023, the company explicitly confirmed plans for a large three-row electric SUV. Based on the 2021 concept, Toyota used the name bZ5X and stated that the model would be built in the U.S. That’s why industry observers continue to refer to the upcoming vehicle as the BZ5X, even though Toyota has yet to officially lock in that name.

At the same time, things have become more intriguing as Toyota gradually moves away from the “bZ” naming strategy and signals a broader reassessment of its EV approach. That adds an extra layer of intrigue: the final name could change at the last moment.

U.S. Production: What’s Already Confirmed

Toyota remains quiet on the technical side, but the manufacturing plan is clearer. The company has already confirmed its intention to produce a three-row electric SUV in the United States.

• vehicle assembly will take place in Kentucky;
• batteries are expected to come from a plant in North Carolina;
• production is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2026.

While Toyota hasn’t named the model, the debate around its name has been ongoing. The Highlander option seems logical: transferring a well-known name to an electric platform could make market entry easier, as buyers already trust the familiar badge. Competitors have taken a similar approach before—Ford’s Mustang Mach-E is often cited as a prime example.

There’s another nuance, though: Toyota already sells the Grand Highlander. Introducing a separate electric version could help clearly differentiate the models and avoid confusion in customers’ minds.

The market itself also offers clues. Last year, sales of the standard Highlander dropped by more than 37%, totaling 56,208 units. In contrast, the Grand Highlander surged nearly 91%, reaching 136,801 vehicles sold. Against that backdrop, expanding the lineup with an electric version looks like a rational move.

For now, there are more questions than answers. Possible options range from technical alphanumeric designations to familiar names with added prefixes:

• bZ5X;
• Highlander (or a derivative such as bZ Highlander);
• other combinations Toyota may reveal closer to the debut.

All the questions should be answered at the February 10 presentation. That’s when Toyota is expected to finally reveal the name it has chosen and clarify how it plans to position its new three-row electric SUV.