Extra Electrics, Extra Tech and a Racing Corolla Trip
Yearly Toyota units the stage for the approaching 12 months by spotlighting new Toyota and Lexus automobiles and different expertise the corporate is engaged on. The third week of Might 2025 is likely to be thought-about the very best one in every of these occasions we’ve attended.
Toyota yearly invitations a pair hundred automotive journalists to their Plano, Texas, headquarters for the HQC (for Head Quarters Confidential) occasion. Some years are extra revealing and noteworthy than others, however unquestionably this was one most important.
There have been a number of debuts of automobiles popping out in 2025 and 2026 and an opportunity to expertise a track-worthy Corolla going via its paces. In alphabetical order that is what we noticed.
2026 Lexus ES: 350h Hybrid, 350e and 550e EVs
First launched in 1989, the Lexus ES has at all times provided a premium possession expertise. New for 2026, the ES can be provided with each a hybrid or full battery electrical possibility in addition to entrance or all-wheel drive.
The extra fuel-efficient ES 350h hybrid can be joined by the ES 350e and ES 550e zero emission EVs. The eighth era ES will proceed to showcase quietness and trip consolation.
Last pricing can be introduced nearer to the on-sale date, which is scheduled for someday in 2026.
2025 Lexus IS 500 Final Version
So precisely how final is the IS 500 Final Version? Should you contemplate it is likely one of the solely remaining naturally aspirated (non-turbocharged) V8 sedans in the marketplace, is available in an unique shade and can be a restricted manufacturing run of 500, that’s adequate for us.
As Cynthia Tenhouse, vice chairman, Lexus Advertising, advised us: “Luxurious isn’t just about craftsmanship, it additionally evokes emotions and feelings.” One thing tells us the IS 500 Final Version with supple leather-based seats, 472 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque will generate loads of emotions and feelings.
Pricing can be introduced nearer to the on-sale date, which is scheduled for fall 2025.
2026 Lexus RZ: 350e, 450e and 550e F Sport EVs
The three RZ trims give a selection of energy and vary. The introduction of the 550e F Sport provides a sporty, extra adventurous possibility. With all-electric ranges of 225 to 300, there can be an RZ for individuals who commute, take longer street journeys or need some dynamic driving pleasure.
Full specs and pricing can be launched nearer to the on-sale date, someday in late 2025.
2026 Toyota BZ and BZ Woodland EVs
The primary era of Toyota’s first mainstream EV glided by the title of BZ4X, which nobody understood fully and most simply shortened it to BZ. So, for the second era, it’s now formally BZ. Naming apart, the actually massive information concerning the BZ is it’s gentle years forward of the one it’s changing. The trip, acceleration and expertise are all considerably improved. As effectively, the styling is extra engaging.
There are three trims—XLE, Restricted and a stand-alone, extra rugged off-road succesful Woodland. Clear Fleet Report can have driving impressions and full particulars of the BZ in a coming overview.
The 2026 BZ can be at Toyota sellers in fall 2025.
2026 Toyota C-HR EV
Do you bear in mind the C-HR? It was a gasoline-powered subcompact crossover, offered within the U.S. from 2018-2022, when it was changed by the Corolla Cross crossover. Effectively, ta-da, the C-HR is again for 2026 solely as a battery electrical mannequin with normal all-wheel drive. We count on to have a Flash Drive overview later this 12 months, so keep tuned to Clear Fleet Report for the newest updates on what’s going to develop into an essential a part of the Toyota line-up.
Pricing has not been introduced, however the CH-R EV is predicted to be at sellers someday in 2026.
2026 Toyota GR Corolla – Monitor-Prepared Racecar
Clear Fleet Report first reported on the GR Corolla in Apri,l when it was launched in Lengthy Seashore, California. That sheet-pull reveal was good, however not as good as driving it. On the HQC occasion journalists got the chance for the following neatest thing—a ride-along with the GR Corolla improvement {and professional} driver, Hiroaki Ishihura, on the Eagles Canyon Raceway In Huntsville, Texas.
I used to be the primary to expertise the GR Corolla that competes within the seven occasion, 16-race Corolla TC America racing collection. After strapping on a helmet and climbing in, Ishihura-san mentioned: “These are new tires and brakes…Prepared?” Enthusiastically, I replied “Sure!,” and off we went flying into the primary of 15 activates the two.7-mile racetrack with over 200 ft of elevation change and a half-mile again straight. Whew!
Our laps expertly and thrillingly pushed the GR Corolla to its limits. You probably have by no means been on a ride-along with an expert race driver, it must be added to your bucket record.
The GR Corolla I rode in, which remains to be in improvement on the GR Storage in Mooresville, North Carolina, had modifications for security causes, together with a roll cage, six-point seatbelt harness and an electronically activated hearth extinguishing system. Efficiency was enhanced with enhancements to the brakes, suspension, aerodynamics and electronics.
The track-ready client mannequin coming to America subsequent 12 months shares the fundamental specs— a 3-cylinder turbocharged engine, computerized or handbook transmission and all-wheel drive.
2026 Toyota RAV4 Provides Woodland and GR Sport
A number of information got here from the HQC occasion, none of which was extra anticipated than what Toyota has executed to the RAV4, Toyota’s best-selling mannequin. In a single phrase: loads.
It has been redesigned in-and-out and now can be propelled as a battery electrical, plug-in hybrid or gasoline hybrid. The brand new Woodland trim has a better trip top, all-terrain tires and normal all-wheel drive.
The primary-ever GR Sport had design help from the Gazoo Racing staff, including GR-tuned suspension and dealing with, a GR matrix entrance grille (just like the GR Corolla’s), entrance and rear wing-type spoilers and as much as 20-inch wheels. The outside and inside can have sportier design cues together with badging, two-toned paint and prime stitching.
2026 RAV4 fashions are anticipated to begin arriving at Toyota dealerships throughout the U.S.
later this 12 months. Pricing can be introduced nearer to the on-sale date.
Toyota and Lexus Charging Replace
There was one charging protocol for all Toyota and Lexus electrified automobiles (battery electrical and plug-in hybrid electrical) thus far, now there are two.
Till now, the corporate has used the J1772 Stage 2 cost plugs and Mixed Charging System (CCS) for its EVs to deal with Stage 2 and DC Quick Charging. Starting in 2025, all present and new Toyota and Lexus automobiles with a plug can have the choice of utilizing CCS or NACS, the North American Charging Commonplace developed by Tesla and located solely on the Tesla Supercharger community.
Paige Mason from Toyota’s EV charging options group offers an summary on this video.
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Story by John Faulkner. Images by John Faulkner, Toyota and Lexus.
Disclosure
Clear Fleet Report is loaned free check automobiles from automakers to guage, usually for per week at a time. Our street checks are primarily based on this one-week drive of a brand new automobile. Due to this we don’t deal with points reminiscent of long-term reliability or complete price of possession. As well as, we are sometimes invited to producer occasions highlighting new automobiles or expertise. As a part of these occasions we could also be provided free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our greatest to current our unvarnished evaluations of automobiles and information irrespective of those inducements.
Our focus is on automobiles that provide the very best gasoline financial system of their class, which leads us to emphasise electrical automobiles, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and different environment friendly powertrains. We additionally characteristic these environment friendly gas-powered automobiles which are among the many prime mpg automobiles of their class. As well as, we goal to supply opinions and information on superior expertise and the choice gasoline automobile market. We welcome any suggestions from automobile homeowners and are devoted to offering a discussion board for different viewpoints. Please tell us your views at writer@cleanfleetreport.com.
