Toyota Highlander EV Coming - Is This It?

[Gen(R3)Xer]

Toyota pretty much owns the Hybrid market, so they have that going for them which should carry on for a while longer yet as they are still immensely popular. I thought they were the ones heavily invested into SSB tech too, no?

I think they’ve been talking about SSB for almost two decades. Almost as long as hydrogen fuel cells. Neither have come to fruition unless you believe Dinut Labs is on to something.

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[mikehmb]

Looks like the back end of a pickup to me.

I agree. More importantly, so do The Commentariat at TheAutopian. Therefore, true.

This is Toyota's next-gen pickup, and if it's electric in any significant way (PHEV > 100 miles base range), we should be stoked.

 

[COdogman]

 

[BigSkies]

I agree. More importantly, so do The Commentariat at TheAutopian. Therefore, true.

This is Toyota's next-gen pickup, and if it's electric in any significant way (PHEV > 100 miles base range), we should be stoked.

I want to believe.

I don't, but I want to.

Edit because I just saw it:

Toyota better come up with something soon, because this is coming. They'll be protected from that competition in the US, but Toyota is a big business in a lot of other markets these Chinese EV companies are already in.

 

[BlueberryQuadzilla]

I owned Toyotas for 35 years. They actively campaigned against EVs. And refused to make a fuel efficient TACO. Never going back to Toyota. Rivian 4 life.

 

[eSUBA94]

Toyota Hilux EV pickup has 2,3x smaller battery than Rivian, engine total power like mitshubishi outlender phev in ev mode 14 years ago...

Toyota is probably making crappy EVs on purpose to make us praise hydrogen

 

[CANCERDOC]

Knock Toyota all you want but they are the most successful automotive company by leaps and despite missing the EV market, managed to dominate the hybrid market which for better or worse is probably the better EV choice for most drivers. They certainly have the chops to build the best EV's in the world, and I feel at some point they will get there.

Something to keep in mind is not every EV owner is a technical person like many Rivian (or Tesla) owners. The typical Toyota owner wants a vehicle that starts everyday, and runs without fuss. They don't think about whether it harms the battery to charge to 100%, nor do they care that their battery range is uncompetitive. They will DCFC at 75kw and think wow that's fast. It says Toyota or Lexus on the grill and thats all that matters. And that's most customers. And they most certainly do not want to be beta testers and do soft and hard resets for the vehicles like we all do here.

 

[iansriv]

Toyota is a great company with a lot of good people. I almost went to work for them a few years ago. Unfortunately, they move slowly and the current tech play is "move fast and break things." Not sure who will make it to the other side of this.

 

[BigSkies]

Toyota is a great company with a lot of good people. I almost went to work for them a few years ago. Unfortunately, they move slowly and the current tech play is "move fast and break things." Not sure who will make it to the other side of this.

If I was a Toyota exec in an MBA case study, I'd deliberately underinvest in EV's until it was clear they're necessary. Which is exactly where Toyota is today in the non-US world.

Then I'd go on a shopping spree and acquire EV companies with the best technology, but with struggling sales. Then I'd rapidly integrate that technology into a broader vehicle lineup refresh.

This eliminates a lot of execution risk, avoids entering the market too early, and brings in new technology at a price below what it cost to develop.

It would mean being late to the party, but not catastrophically so.

 

[CrazyOne]

Toyota hasn't made a compelling vehicle for me so far. In categories that overlap, Honda/Mazda or Subaru usually do it better. If they get it right, it's great and I will consider one.

I am a big fan of LFA and Lexus LC, but I cannot afford one and don't want a 2 seater at this time.

 

[mkg3]

Knock Toyota all you want but they are the most successful automotive company by leaps and despite missing the EV market, managed to dominate the hybrid market which for better or worse is probably the better EV choice for most drivers. They certainly have the chops to build the best EV's in the world, and I feel at some point they will get there.

Something to keep in mind is not every EV owner is a technical person like many Rivian (or Tesla) owners. The typical Toyota owner wants a vehicle that starts everyday, and runs without fuss. They don't think about whether it harms the battery to charge to 100%, nor do they care that their battery range is uncompetitive. They will DCFC at 75kw and think wow that's fast. It says Toyota or Lexus on the grill and thats all that matters. And that's most customers. And they most certainly do not want to be beta testers and do soft and hard resets for the vehicles like we all do here.

I have always referred Toyota and Honda as appliances. It just works.

 

[AlanP]

The bz4x was a disaster that I can hardly believe Toyota would deliberately tarnish its name with. I normally wouldn’t say this about Toyota but yeah, I’m taking the “show me” approach to any Toyota EV right now.

Just curious why you think it's a disaster.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Just curious why you think it's a disaster.

Google and you'll find... recalls, poor charging performance and economy car qualities sold at EV premium.

 

[jrmbadger]

Toyota is a great company with a lot of good people. I almost went to work for them a few years ago. Unfortunately, they move slowly and the current tech play is "move fast and break things." Not sure who will make it to the other side of this.

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree that they are a great company. Toyota spends a lot of money actively lobbying against climate change regulations. See e.g., public citizen; Guardian; Electric Vehicle Association;

Oh, and their CEO was recently spotted in a.... unique outfit ... : Autonews.com

I won't buy a Toyota until they reverse course on that.

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