What Would We Like to See Out of a Toyota 3-Row Electric SUV?

Key Points

• Toyota is unveiling a new three-row SUV that’s most likely an electric vehicle that will line up to compete with the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9.
• Cars.com’s editors have a wish list of features the new EV will have to include in order to be competitive, including a 300-plus-mile range, ample cargo and passenger space, 800-volt charging architecture and one-pedal driving.
• The new SUV will be revealed Feb. 10.

All-electric three-row SUVs from a mainstream brand aren’t very common, with Hyundai and Kia being the only ones in the market with the Ioniq 9 and EV9, respectively, but it looks like Toyota is jumping into the ring. The automaker has released a couple of teaser images of what looks to be an upcoming three-row EV.

Related: Toyota Teases New Three-Row SUV; Is It Electric?

There are no details yet, but we know what we want. The list of what Cars.com’s editors would like to see in this unnamed vehicle (aside from a name that’s actually palatable — we’re looking at you with some side-eye, bZ4X now renamed bZ) is long, and we also know what we don’t want. Check out our wish list and skip list below.

The Wish List

• Takeaway: We’d like to see the new Toyota SUV have plentiful space for passengers and cargo, straightforward controls, competitive range, flexible charging and an affordable price.

Ample People and Cargo Space

Toyota has a couple of three-row SUVs in its lineup, and they’re obviously not all created equal. Some editors suggested that an electrified Grand Highlander would be pretty competitive, as the gas version is likable and offers decent cargo room and third-row passenger space — something that the ungrand Highlander can’t do with its tiny third row and measly cargo area.

Both the EV9 and Ioniq 9 have decent third-row space and respectable cargo areas, but one way the new Toyota EV can outshine its rivals is in second-row seat packaging. One of the problems some editors have with the EV9 is that the top trims are only available with second-row captain’s chairs, so maybe having Toyota Limited and Platinum trims available with benches would help distinguish it from its most obvious rival.

In addition, many editors would also like to see the same kind of thoughtful, family-friendly interior design touches that the EV9 does so well, such as its big front-console storage bin and the pull-out shelf/storage bin for the second-row passengers.

Other family-friendly convenience goodies on our wish list include:

• Device charging ports for the second and third rows
• Built-in tablet mounts for the second and third rows
• Integrated sunshades
• A vehicle-to-load function to power air compressors and other active-lifestyle accessories
• A frunk for extra storage space

Unfussy Controls

The struggle is real when it comes to EV controls, with many vehicles opting to place what should be straightforward controls in very not straightforward places. Major offenders include Tesla models and the Volkswagen ID.4. Toyota could earn some ergonomic points with more conventional displays and controls, something both the Ioniq 9 and EV9 have.

And there’s evidence the automaker just might: Based on the cabin teaser photo, it looks like Toyota went with a normal instrument panel here instead of the bZ’s forward-mounted gauge display.

Good Range and Flexible Charging

Aside from comfortable room and drama-free controls, a successful EV must also do EV things well, so competitive range and flexible charging are important.

To be competitive in the range department, the Toyota EV would have to be good for around 300-plus miles with all-wheel drive. The Ioniq 9 with AWD is EPA-rated at 320 miles, and the EV9 with AWD is rated at 283 miles.

Three-hundred-plus miles might be tough given what we know about Toyota’s current EV lineup, though. The updated bZ compact SUV, which is obviously smaller and lighter than a three-row SUV, has more range for 2026, but at 288 miles, it’s still under the 300 mark. (The upcoming bZ Woodland and C-HR aren’t much better.)

The bZ also doesn’t have a one-pedal driving setup, which doesn’t bode well for the three-row Toyota EV. We’re fans of one-pedal driving from a convenience and range economy perspective, and we’d like to see this setup on the new three-row EV. The Ioniq 9 and EV9 both feature one-pedal driving.

In addition, a handy feature we’d like to see when it comes to charging architecture is a dual charging port setup, which adds convenience when pulling up to different chargers. The new-for-2026 Nissan Leaf has this feature, with a J1772-style port that supports Level 2 charging and a Tesla-style North American Charging Standard port that supports DC fast-charging, making it very flexible.

Lastly, charging speeds are important, too. To be competitive, the Toyota EV would need an 800-volt architecture, which both the Ioniq 9 and EV9 have. This allows for faster charging from a DC fast charger. For example, the Ioniq 9 can charge from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes.

Affordability

Last on our list, but not in importance, is price. This might be a moonshot, but in today’s roller-coaster economy, an affordable three-row EV sounds dreamy. We’d like to see it start lower than $70,000, and it should be doable — even after the demise of the federal tax credit. For comparison, the 2026 Ioniq 9 starts at $60,555 and the 2026 EV9 at $56,545 (all prices include destination).

Skip It

• Takeaway: Some things that could be skipped for the new Toyota SUV include a focus on performance, a sport-tuned suspension and an off-road trim.

We also know what we don’t want. For starters, there should be less focus on performance and more focus on range and efficiency. We don’t care for a three-row family EV to go 0-60 mph in five seconds and would rather have more range and efficiency.

It also can’t ride like garbage; it needs to ride nicely so kiddos can nap in the back. No “sport-tuned” suspension, please. The same goes for an off-road trim, which is not necessary and will likely rarely get used.

Our list is long, but other three-row EVs check a lot of boxes, and if Toyota wants its forthcoming EV to succeed, it needs to do that, too. Stay tuned; the new SUV will be revealed on Feb. 10.

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