Electric Toyota ute and LandCruiser EV set for 2026

An all-new battery-electric dual-cab Toyota ute, potentially wearing a Hilux badge, will go on sale in Europe at the end of next year and could head Down Under shortly after.

Said to carry a ‘familiar name’, the new shadowy tease of the dual-cab looks very different from the single-cab Hilux EV that’s currently being prepared South-East Asian markets.

Instead, it’s thought the simple line drawing previews the production version of the far-more stylish 2023 EPU pick-up concept that was unwrapped at the Tokyo motor show.

Teased alongside the new ute was a large electric SUV hotly-tipped to be a production version of the well-received 2023 LandCruiser Se concept.

Toyota teased both the new ute and large SUV, as well as a second mystery SUV during an announcement that will see the Japanese auto giant introduce six new EVs to Europe between now and the end of 2026.

The final three electric cars include the previously unveiled Urban Cruiser, a facelifted bZ4X and the all-new C-HR+ small SUV.

Toyota Europe has promised that both the ute and large SUV will conform to a “traditional naming strategy to make them familiar and instantly recognisable to customers”.

That suggests the large SUV is likely to be called the LandCruiser, while the dual-cab ute will sport Hilux badging.

Toyota Australia is expected to confirm both models for our market, but only if the range, towing-capacity, payload and price are competitive with inbound rivals, especially when for the ute.

Back in 2023, local sales and marketing boss Sean Hanley declared that any production version of the LandCruiser Se had an “extremely good” chance of being sold in Australia and that he was keen to bring both Down Under, despite some question marks hanging over any production version of the EPU.

“If these cars come into production, I can assure you Toyota Australia will be the first to put our hands up,” he told carsales.

Based on a car-like monocoque instead of a heavy-duty ladder-frame, the electric ute is expected to trail inbound electric versions of traditional utes like the Isuzu D-Max and Ford Ranger when it comes to carrying capacity and towing might.

While welcoming the LandCruiser SE, Hanley also raised questions over pricing, suggesting the real EPU might be aimed at lifestyle buyers.

Back at the Tokyo show the EPU measured in at 5070mm long, 1910mm wide and stood 1710mm tall, making it the same size as smaller utes like the Ford Maverick, although the 3350mm wheelbase was much longer.

The LandCruiser Se concept, meantime, was 5150mm long, 1990mm wide, 1705mm tall and featured a 3050mm wheelbase, making it 135mm longer than a LandCruiser 300 Series and around the same width, but 245mm shorter in height with a 200mm longer wheelbase.

Also based on a car-like monocoque, the LandCruiser Se is expected to deliver a far better ride-handling compromise compared to the more rugged flagship SUV it borrows its nameplate from.

Both the ute and SUV are expected to be teased further in the coming months in the build-up to both cars’ 2026 launch.

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