Featured America’s Hugely Popular Toyota RAV4 To Finally Go Electric In 2026

These days many people expect a BEV to have a frunk, unlike Toyota's current EV offering.

 

It doubles as a GREAT crumple Zone as well.
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I’m not sure anyone cares about a frunk except Tesla owners and fan boys.
In the bolt, there is so much space under the hatch floor, it would almost be superfluous.

 

I like the idea of a plug in Camry, but would not be willing to give up trunk space or spare tire

 

The 2025 Camry has both. The 12V is under the passenger side trunk, similar to the older Prius.

 

Correct. How will they fit a plug in battery?

 

GM and Ford trucks have them as well as others and the owners do seem to appreciate them.

 

I believe for RAV4 they put the coolant cooled battery unter the car, outside the passenger compartment.

 

I’m sure they do. But I’m not sure the lack of one will put off buyers depending on the other aspects of the car.
At least for me, there are so many other things to think about, it even falls behind cup holders

 

Can that be done with the low slung camry?

 

Because it delivers consistent crash safety results whether it is empty, or full of cinder blocks or sacks of gunpowder?

Hmmm.

 

Perhaps reclaim the Hybrid battery space and, if needed (I hope not) the spare tire space,

Or they could pull an idea fro history. My 1969 Corolla had the gas tank behind the back seat. Perhaps they could put some battery there, but you would lose being able to lower the seat backs.

 

I think that’s the problem, and perhaps Toyota does too

 

Except the bZ4X is not Toyota's first BEV attempt. Let's not forget the UX300e for sale in other parts of the world. A model Toyota apparently learned nothing from, as they repeated the same criticisms in the bZ4X.

As @bisco says, it depends on other aspects of the model. VW is giving more cabin space with their BEVs. Of course, that relies more on using a true BEV platform than even a frunk.

Not every BEV has a hatch though. Then for others, it is a hidden, secure storage space. I'd like one for putting the tire patch tools, blanket, and portable EVSE, so they aren't cluttering up the cargo area even if there is plenty of space for them.

The gen 5PHV is outside the passenger compartment. It is under seat extending back to the axle area. The fuel tank was moved to sit above the battery. The spare tire is lost to the onboard charger. AWD probably isn't possible.

The height of the Rav4 allows more battery. That is why the Bolt started with the old Trax and not the Sonic.

An EREV series hybrid on a BEV platform would provide more flexibility for packaging everything. The platform has large batteries in mind when designed. A series hybrid will lose efficiency at high speeds, but the lack of a physical transmission saves space.

 

The bz isn't even the 2nd EV attempt. Let's not forget their Scion line of fail ....



Micro cars are great but you need to, "know your audience", right?
At least Toyota (unlike their hydrogen car & BZ) had the good sense to scuttle those poor vehicles. But even so, it's not like Toyota learned nothing, they did get rid of their CEO head honcho who was adamantly against electric cars.
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, don't be thinking of pulling a Timothy McVeigh now ...

 

I'd argue the UX 300e is worse than the bZ4X:

• CHAdeMO DC charging
• 72.8 kWh (CATL designed) battery is still air cooled like their older 54.4 kWh battery in pre 2023 models
• 6.6 kW AC Charging

The Crown (sedan) and the Lexus UX 300e sold in Europe are about the same height. You might be able to stick the UX 300e 72.8 kWh battery in the Crown easier than the Camry. To be honest though, the UX 300e is really only about 3 inches higher than the Camry, so a newer battery design (longer, flatter, wider) might be able to fit since the wheelbase in a Camry is over 7 inches longer than the UX 300e.

 

Weird, but according to a new Mag-X (subscription required) the Lexus ES (Camry's sister) will get a PHEV version in 2026 as well.
partial translation
"008. Lexus ES will get a model change in the summer as well. PHEV will debut in 2026009"

 

Interesting since their 2025 is not hybrid only like the Camry.

 

CHAdeMO is more common in Japan, and likely so in the other markets the UX300e is sold. The battery does have a fan, and it appears to chill the air with the air conditioner. While the bZ4X has CCS, it has a slower rating than most. Plus, Toyota limits the amount of times DC fast charging can be done in a day.

Some of these design choices can be better technical ones, but in the end, they have the same result for the overall EV. One that does less distance and charges slower on the road, than competitor EVs in the same price range. The bZ4X can say it is a bit bigger. It isn't close to the improvements seen between the gen1 and gen2 Prius.

I believe the Camry discussion is about getting a PHEV. There is a PHEV Crown; IIRC in the Sport(hatchback) model. With a PHEV, the exhaust system is a consideration when placing the battery.

The ES was more the Avalon's sister. Current one is still a little bigger than the Camry. Actually, it is almost the same as the Crown's dimensions; hieght difference is from the US getting only 'lifted' Crowns. I'm guessing the ES will share the Crown platform to allow it to use that PHEV set up.

Current ES gen came out in 2018. It's due for a remodel.