All posts tagged: toyota

Toyota recalls over 20,000 EVs, including Lexus and Subaru

Toyota recalls over 20,000 EVs, including Lexus and Subaru

Published by skeptic

Toyota issued a recall affecting nearly 21,000 electric vehicles, including Lexus and Subaru models. Toyota recalls 2026 bZ, Subaru RZ, and Lexus RZ The Toyota bZ, Subaru Solterra, and Lexus RZ are all based on the same e-TNGA platform. After considerable improvements for the 2026 model year, including a longer driving range and a built-in NACS charge port, the Japanese automakers have gotten off to a surprisingly strong start this year. Toyota’s electric SUV, the bZ, was the third-most popular EV in the US in the first quarter, behind only the Tesla Model Y and Model 3. While Toyota is finally selling EVs, the company issued a recall this week, impacting 20,991 models. The recall includes 11,495 Toyota bZ models, 4,757 Subaru Solterra models, and 4,739 Lexus RZ models. Advertisement – scroll for more content In a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Toyota said the recall was due to a potentially faulty electronic control unit (ECU) that could cause a loss of power, thereby increasing the likelihood of a crash. 2026 …

Toyota scraps new Lexus EV, but a successor gets the green light

Toyota scraps new Lexus EV, but a successor gets the green light

Published by skeptic

Toyota will not move forward with the Lexus LF-ZC. While the flagship EV has been canceled, the next-gen technology that it was set to use, including new batteries, a dedicated platform, and gigacasting, is ready. A company executive confirmed that a successor is in the works. Toyota is working on a successor for the Lexus LF-ZC The all-electric Lexus LF-ZC sedan was set to go into production as early as this year, but that will no longer happen. Toyota’s executive vice president, Hiroki Nakajima, told Nikkei and other Japanese news outlets on Tuesday that “We have discontinued development of the Lexus LF-ZC.” Although the electric sedan has been canceled, Nakajima confirmed that the advanced new technology and manufacturing methods it was set to use are still ready for mass production. Advertisement – scroll for more content Toyota decided not to move forward with the flagship Lexus EV because the molds and production equipment were too expensive. Lexus LF-ZC EV concept car (Source: Toyota) “However, many new technologies cultivated during the development of the LF-ZC, such …

Toyota reveals prices for its first electric pickup

Toyota reveals prices for its first electric pickup

Published by skeptic

The Hilux BEV arrives as Toyota’s first fully electric pickup and body-on-frame EV. Is it worth the price? Toyota launches the Hilux BEV, its first electric pickup With over 27 million models sold over the past seven decades, the Hilux is not only Toyota’s most popular pickup but also one of the best-selling pickups in the world. For its ninth generation, Toyota finally introduced an all-electric version. During its global debut last November, Toyota said the Hilux BEV takes the “legendary pickup into a new era of electrified power.” The electric Hilux is Toyota’s first electric pickup and first body-on-frame EV. As such, the Hilux BEV takes the “legendary” pickup to a whole new level. Advertisement – scroll for more content As you can see, the electric version adopts a new look, which Toyota calls “Tough and Agile. The new design features slim LED headlights linked by a light bar. It also now includes the Toyota name up front, rather than the logo. It features a Double Cab body style and a permanent all-wheel-drive (AWD) …

Toyota reveals prices for its first electric pickup

Toyota opens orders for its first body-on-frame EV at under $60,000

Published by skeptic

The Hilux BEV arrives as Toyota’s first fully electric pickup and body-on-frame EV. Toyota launches the Hilux BEV, its first electric pickup With over 27 million models sold over the past seven decades, the Hilux is not only Toyota’s most popular pickup but also one of the best-selling pickups in the world. For its ninth generation, Toyota finally introduced an all-electric version. During its global debut last November, Toyota said the Hilux BEV takes the “legendary pickup into a new era of electrified power.” The electric Hilux is Toyota’s first electric pickup and first body-on-frame EV. As such, the Hilux BEV takes the “legendary” pickup to a whole new level. Advertisement – scroll for more content As you can see, the electric version adopts a new look, which Toyota calls “Tough and Agile. The new design features slim LED headlights linked by a light bar. It also now includes the Toyota name up front, rather than the logo. It features a Double Cab body style and a permanent all-wheel-drive (AWD) powertrain. The dual motor setup …

BYD outsold Ford, and now it thinks it can catch Toyota for No. 1

BYD outsold Ford, and now it thinks it can catch Toyota for No. 1

Published by skeptic

BYD is already the world’s largest EV maker, but the company’s CEO is confident it will become the world’s leading global automaker within the next five years. Can BYD become the world’s largest automaker? After it stopped making cars powered solely by internal combustion engines (ICE) in 2022 to focus on battery electric (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles, BYD’s big bet has paid off so far. With over 4.6 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) sold last year, which includes EVs and PHEVs, BYD surpassed Ford for the first time, ranking as the sixth largest global automaker. According to BYD’s CEO, Wang Chuanfu, the Chinese EV giant is just getting started with new battery and charging tech set to drive growth over the next few years. Advertisement – scroll for more content While addressing shareholders at the company’s annual meeting on Tuesday, Wang said that “BYD will truly become the No. 1 automaker globally in terms of ​scale in five years.” BYD confirmed Wang’s comments to Reuters, but didn’t offer any additional context. Ford and …

Toyota and Lexus are going big with their first 3-row electric SUVs

Toyota and Lexus are going big with their first 3-row electric SUVs

Published by skeptic

The Toyota Highlander BEV and Lexus TZ will go on sale by the end of 2026, offering three rows of seating and 300 miles of range. Toyota, Lexus prepare to launch first 3-row electric SUVs It’s been a little over a month since Lexus unveiled the 2027 TZ, the luxury brand’s first purely electric three-row SUV. Based on the same TNGA platform as the 2027 Toyota Grand Highlander BEV, the TZ will be available with 76.96 kWh and 95.82 kWh lithium-ion battery packs, which Lexus said would provide a driving range of up to 300 miles. In comparison, the electric Highlander is expected to deliver up to 320 miles of range with the larger (95.82 kWh) battery. Advertisement – scroll for more content While it sacrifices a bit of range, the Lexus TZ will be equipped with an upgraded DIRECT4 AWD system as standard across all trims. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup delivers a combined 420 horsepower and can tow up to 3,500 lbs. Lexus said the “evolved” DIRECT4 AWD system distributes torque precisely between …

Toyota recalls over 20,000 EVs, including Lexus and Subaru

Toyota finally has EVs people want to buy — Why slow down now?

Published by skeptic

Toyota’s new electric SUVs are selling surprisingly well, becoming top-sellers in several markets. So, why is it pulling back now? Toyota sees demand for new EVs After a painfully slow start, Toyota is actually selling electric vehicles. Shortly after launching its first EV, the bZ4X, Toyota issued an urgent recall because the wheels could potentially fall off. Well, the Japanese automaker is taking another swing at the market with a new lineup of electric SUVs. After launching the updated 2026 bZ in the US late last year, dropping the “4X”, Toyota’s electric SUV quickly became a top seller. In the first three months of 2026, the bZ was the third-best-selling EV in the US, behind only the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. Advertisement – scroll for more content With over 10,000 models sold, Toyota sold more bZs in the first quarter than Ford sold in total (6,860). Last month, bZ sales doubled from May 2025, with 2,646 units sold. Why is it suddenly selling? Toyota updated the electric SUV in the areas drivers look …

Toyota just gave its electric SUV a major upgrade. Is it enough to overtake Tesla?

Toyota just gave its electric SUV a major upgrade. Is it enough to overtake Tesla?

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get our weekly Drive Smart newsletter for motoring news, reviews and advice from EV editor Steve Fowler Get motoring news, reviews and advice from EV editor Steve Fowler Get our EV editor’s weekly Drive Smart newsletter Embracing an electric vehicle is an exciting prospect, but selecting the right model can be a complex decision. For a growing number of motorists, an electric SUV presents the most practical choice for everyday life. The latest models boast sufficient range for daily commutes and occasional longer journeys, ample family space, and innovative technology. But with numerous options emerging, which one truly stands out? This is where the Tesla Model Y and Toyota bZ come into sharp focus. For 2026, Tesla’s best-selling electric vehicle, the Model Y, is slated for significant updates, including refreshed styling, a smoother ride, and a more luxurious cabin. However, Toyota’s all-electric SUV, the bZ, is also a formidable contender. The front-wheel-drive version of the Toyota 2026 bZ can go up to 314 miles on a single charge, according to EPA estimates (Toyota Motor Sales …

Toyota pulls the plug on one of its most important EVs

Toyota pulls the plug on one of its most important EVs

Published by skeptic

The low-slung Lexus LF-ZC electric sedan is dead. Toyota is scrapping plans to launch the next-gen luxury EV, which was expected to enter production later this year with advanced new batteries and a dedicated platform. Toyota ends Lexus LF-ZC EV development After unveiling the Lexus LF-ZC concept at the Japan Mobility Show in 2023, Toyota said the production model would arrive in 2026, debuting a slate of new technologies. Like Tesla and several other automakers at this point, Toyota planned to produce it using gigacasting technology that would split the vehicle body into three parts, front, center, and rear, to cut costs. By using advanced new high-performance prismatic batteries, Toyota said it aimed for the electric sedan to achieve about twice the driving range of traditional EVs and significantly faster charging speeds. Advertisement – scroll for more content The digitized Intelligent Cockpit was expected to offer a next-level personalized experience, powered by its new “Arene OS” software platform. Powered by AI, the system acts as a personal companion, providing route and mode recommendations based on …

Toyota pulls the plug on one of its most important EVs

Toyota scraps plans to launch one of its most important EVs

Published by skeptic

The low-slung Lexus LF-ZC electric sedan is dead. Toyota is scrapping plans to launch the next-gen luxury EV, which was expected to enter production later this year with advanced new batteries and a dedicated platform. Toyota ends Lexus LF-ZC EV development After unveiling the Lexus LF-ZC concept at the Japan Mobility Show in 2023, Toyota said the production model would arrive in 2026, debuting a slate of new technologies. Like Tesla and several other automakers at this point, Toyota planned to produce it using gigacasting technology that would split the vehicle body into three parts, front, center, and rear, to cut costs. By using advanced new high-performance prismatic batteries, Toyota said it aimed for the electric sedan to achieve about twice the driving range of traditional EVs and significantly faster charging speeds. Advertisement – scroll for more content The digitized Intelligent Cockpit was expected to offer a next-level personalized experience, powered by its new “Arene OS” software platform. Powered by AI, the system acts as a personal companion, providing route and mode recommendations based on …