More Electrics, More Tech and a Racing Corolla Ride
Once a year Toyota sets the stage for the coming year by spotlighting new Toyota and Lexus vehicles and other technology the company is working on. The third week of May 2025 might be considered the best one of these events we’ve attended.
Toyota annually invites a couple hundred automotive journalists to their Plano, Texas, headquarters for the HQC (for Head Quarters Confidential) event. Some years are more revealing and noteworthy than others, but without a doubt this was one most significant.
There were several debuts of vehicles coming out in 2025 and 2026 and a chance to experience a track-worthy Corolla going through its paces. In alphabetical order this is what we saw.
2026 Lexus ES: 350h Hybrid, 350e and 550e EVs
First launched in 1989, the Lexus ES has always offered a premium ownership experience. New for 2026, the ES will be offered with both a hybrid or full battery electric option as well as front or all-wheel drive.
The more fuel-efficient ES 350h hybrid will be joined by the ES 350e and ES 550e zero emission EVs. The eighth generation ES will continue to showcase quietness and ride comfort.
Final pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date, which is scheduled for sometime in 2026.
2025 Lexus IS 500 Ultimate Edition
So exactly how ultimate is the IS 500 Ultimate Edition? If you consider it is one of the only remaining naturally aspirated (non-turbocharged) V8 sedans on the market, comes in an exclusive color and will be a limited production run of 500, that is good enough for us.
As Cynthia Tenhouse, vice president, Lexus Marketing, told us: “Luxury is not just about craftsmanship, it also inspires feelings and emotions.” Something tells us the IS 500 Ultimate Edition with supple leather seats, 472 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque will generate plenty of feelings and emotions.
Pricing will be announced closer 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 choice of power and range. The introduction of the 550e F Sport adds a sporty, more adventurous option. With all-electric ranges of 225 to 300, there will be an RZ for those who commute, take longer road trips or want some dynamic driving excitement.
Full specifications and pricing will be released closer to the on-sale date, sometime in late 2025.
2026 Toyota BZ and BZ Woodland EVs
The first generation of Toyota’s first mainstream EV went by the name of BZ4X, which no one understood completely and most just shortened it to BZ. So, for the second generation, it is now officially BZ. Naming aside, the really big news about the BZ is it is light years ahead of the one it is replacing. The ride, acceleration and technology are all significantly improved. As well, the styling is more attractive.
There are three trims—XLE, Limited and a stand-alone, more rugged off-road capable Woodland. Clean Fleet Report will have driving impressions and full details of the BZ in a coming review.
The 2026 BZ will be at Toyota dealers in fall 2025.
2026 Toyota C-HR EV
Do you remember the C-HR? It was a gasoline-powered subcompact crossover, sold in the U.S. from 2018-2022, when it was replaced by the Corolla Cross crossover. Well, ta-da, the C-HR is back for 2026 exclusively as a battery electric model with standard all-wheel drive. We expect to have a Flash Drive review later this year, so stay tuned to Clean Fleet Report for the latest updates on what will become an important part of the Toyota line-up.
Pricing has not been announced, but the CH-R EV is expected to be at dealers sometime in 2026.
2026 Toyota GR Corolla – Track-Ready Racecar
Clean Fleet Report first reported on the GR Corolla in Apri,l when it was introduced in Long Beach, California. That sheet-pull reveal was nice, but not as nice as driving it. At the HQC event journalists were given the opportunity for the next best thing—a ride-along with the GR Corolla development and professional driver, Hiroaki Ishihura, at the Eagles Canyon Raceway in Decatur, Texas.
I was the first to experience the GR Corolla that competes in the seven event, 16-race Corolla TC America racing series. After strapping on a helmet and climbing in, Ishihura-san said: “These are new tires and brakes…Ready?” Enthusiastically, I replied “Yes!,” and off we went flying into the first of 15 turns on the 2.7-mile racetrack with over 200 feet of elevation change and a half-mile back straight. Whew!
Our laps expertly and thrillingly pushed the GR Corolla to its limits. If you have never been on a ride-along with a professional race driver, it needs to be added to your bucket list.
The GR Corolla I rode in, which is still in development at the GR Garage in Mooresville, North Carolina, had modifications for safety reasons, including a roll cage, six-point seatbelt harness and an electronically activated fire extinguishing system. Performance was enhanced with improvements to the brakes, suspension, aerodynamics and electronics.
The track-ready consumer model coming to America next year shares the basic specifications— a 3-cylinder turbocharged engine, automatic or manual transmission and all-wheel drive.
2026 Toyota RAV4 Adds Woodland and GR Sport
Lots of news came from the HQC event, none of which was more anticipated than what Toyota has done to the RAV4, Toyota’s best-selling model. In one word: plenty.
It has been redesigned in-and-out and now will be propelled as a battery electric, plug-in hybrid or gasoline hybrid. The new Woodland trim has a higher ride height, all-terrain tires and standard all-wheel drive.
The first-ever GR Sport had design assistance from the Gazoo Racing team, adding GR-tuned suspension and handling, a GR matrix front grille (similar to the GR Corolla’s), front and rear wing-type spoilers and up to 20-inch wheels. The exterior and interior will have sportier design cues including badging, two-toned paint and top stitching.
2026 RAV4 models are expected to start arriving at Toyota dealerships across the U.S.
later this year. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.
Toyota and Lexus Charging Update
There has been one charging protocol for all Toyota and Lexus electrified vehicles (battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric) to this point, now there are two.
Until now, the company has used the J1772 Level 2 charge plugs and Combined Charging System (CCS) for its EVs to handle Level 2 and DC Fast Charging. Beginning in 2025, all existing and new Toyota and Lexus vehicles with a plug will have the option of using CCS or NACS, the North American Charging Standard developed by Tesla and found exclusively on the Tesla Supercharger network.
Paige Mason from Toyota’s EV charging solutions group gives an overview in this video.
Make sure to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report newsletter (top right of page) to be notified of all news stories and vehicle reviews.
Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner, Toyota and Lexus.
[See image gallery at cleanfleetreport.com]
Disclosure
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and other efficient powertrains. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at [email protected].
The post Big News as Toyota & Lexus Models Make Their Debuts first appeared on Clean Fleet Report.