Subaru and Toyota are set to release electric compact SUV twins in 2026, according to Carscoops.

      The new electric vehicles (EVs) are anticipated to showcase a more traditional SUV design compared to the Toyota bZ4x and Subaru Solterra.

      Toyota and Subaru are collaborating on a duo of EVs that will be available in Japan, Europe, and the US. These zero-emission SUVs are aiming to compete in the compact SUV market segment. Production of the EVs is expected to be carried out by Subaru in Japan, starting January 2026.

      The Toyota bZ4x has recently undergone a mid-cycle refresh, and it appears that its Subaru counterpart, the Solterra, might soon receive a similar update. However, these two crossovers will not be the only EVs arising from the Toyota-Subaru alliance. In 2026, the companies are reportedly looking to broaden their offerings with a set of new compact SUVs.

      To manage research and development costs effectively, these new compact SUVs will likely utilize key elements from the e-TNGA platform already in use for the bZ4x and Solterra. This includes components such as battery packs and electric motors, allowing both manufacturers to reduce expenses and redirect resources toward other initiatives.

      Earlier this week, Toyota hinted at three new EVs set to debut by 2026, which will join the bZ4x, C-HR+, and Urban Cruiser in Toyota's collection. Two of the teased models appear to be production versions of the EPU pickup and the Land Cruiser SE, both initially presented as concepts in 2023. This has sparked speculation that the third teaser may represent the compact SUV that Toyota and Subaru are developing together.

      If this assumption is accurate, the new EVs are likely to adopt a more conventional SUV design compared to the bZ4x and Solterra crossovers. The design may resemble the forthcoming Toyota RAV4, featuring a pointed front, roof rails, and an upright rear section. While Toyota and Subaru’s versions are expected to share much of their design language, each will likely have a unique front end to differentiate them for consumers.

      These new compact SUVs are set to be launched in Japan, Europe, and the U.S., thereby expanding both Toyota and Subaru's zero-emission options within the compact SUV category. In contrast to the bZ4x and Solterra, which are produced at Toyota's Motomachi Plant, the new models developed in partnership will reportedly be manufactured at Subaru's Yajima plant in Japan, with production commencing in January 2026.

      Toyota currently offers three EVs (bZ4x, C-HR+, and Urban Cruiser) in Europe, while the Solterra is the only zero-emission model in Subaru’s global range. This is expected to change, as the upcoming SUV will be one of four electric models Subaru intends to introduce in collaboration with Toyota.

      Furthermore, Subaru aims to launch its first independently-developed electric vehicle by 2028. These new models form part of a broader strategy to ensure that battery-electric vehicles make up half of Subaru's global sales by 2030, a target that will necessitate a combination of joint and independent endeavors, as both Toyota and Subaru continue to enhance their electric vehicle portfolios in the coming years.