Toyota will soon reveal a new SUV in the United States, with the company teasing the upcoming model in a heavily darkened image. In its official release, Toyota merely says that “something new is on the horizon” without providing any further details.
Looking at the teaser, the SUV will have a blocky design with fenders that bulge outwards and a step to link the beltline to the greenhouse. We do get to see the illuminated taillights, which feature two LED light strips spanning the width of the rear fascia.
Reports indicate that this will be the fifth-generation Highlander that will replace the fourth-generation (XU70) model that has been around for over six years. Looking at Toyota’s line-up in the US, the Highlander is indeed one of the oldest high-riding models on sale there.
The teased vehicle also looks remarkably similar to the bZ Large SUV concept that was revealed way back in 2021. The design cues mentioned above align neatly with the concept (patent images attached here), which the brand referred to as the bZ5X.
The rumour mill suggests the next Highlander will go electric and be built on the e-TNGA platform with three-row seating. Such a vehicle would provide Toyota with an answer to the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9, with the more recent Grand Highlander catering to customers who want a big Toyota SUV but still prefer an internal combustion engine.
GALLERY: Toyota bZ Large SUV concept patent images
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