Toyota: 2025 wrap and 2026 preview

• Toyota’s multipath technology approach delivered three new and all-new electrified models in 2025 with four more already confirmed for launch 2026
• Toyota Gazoo Racing continues to apply motorsports know-how to developing ever-better cars for the road
• Toyota diversifies its UK manufacturing operations for sports car production, environmentally focused end-of-life vehicle processing and future mobility research
• Toyota independently acclaimed for delivering the best customer service in the automotive sector
• Toyota introduced major sports sponsorship programme, supporting all levels of cricket in the UK and Ireland

Toyota enjoyed all-round success in 2025. The year delivered an unprecedented collection of all-new and significantly revised models, while the company’s UK manufacturing and research broke new ground and its international motorsports teams claimed another haul of world championship titles.  

In the marketplace, Toyota provided the best customer service in the business – according to independent experts. It also launched its major sponsorship of cricket, supporting all levels of the game, from the grassroots to international competition.

Underpinning everything is Toyota’s commitment to build ever-better cars and provide mobility for all, with no one left behind. With its multipath technology philosophy, it continues to give customers a range of electrified powertrain options to help them reduce carbon emissions and progress towards the goal of carbon neutrality.

The momentum will build in 2026, with a series new models already confirmed for introduction in the coming weeks.

Multipath technology: customer choice and lower emissions

Toyota’s multipath technology approach is helping customers achieve sustainable reductions in CO₂ emissions by offering not just a single solution, but a choice of electrified powertrains. By providing battery electric, plug-in hybrid, full hybrid and fuel cell electric options, Toyota gives more options for people to find a car that best meets their needs. It’s a strategy that delivering results: the company has sold more than six million electrified vehicles in the UK and Europe so far.

In 2025, the bZ4X battery electric SUV benefited from a comprehensive update in performance, technology and design. The new model offers more power and increased battery capacity for an extended driving range. New battery management technology also means faster charging times.

Toyota innovation delivered the all-new Aygo X Hybrid, the first model in the city car/A-segment to adopt full hybrid technology. The result is the lowest CO₂ emissions of any non-plug-in model and class-leading fuel economy.

A focus on the key electric SUV market segments saw the launch of the all-new Urban Cruiser in November and the start of sales of the all-new Toyota C-HR+ in January 2026, ahead of deliveries of the mid-size model to customers from March.

The early arrivals in 2026 will include the new diesel 48V powertrain for Land Cruiser. The addition of a 48-Volt battery gives the new generation SUV smoother, quieter performance, all with no compromise in its formidable off-road driving capabilities.

The same technology was introduced in the legendary Hilux in 2025 and will feature in the all-new ninth generation of the pick-up that will be arriving in early summer. What’s more, the new Hilux will also be offered for the first time in a battery electric version, with a fuel cell electric model also confirmed for future production.

The Toyota Professional range of light commercial vehicles diversified with the introduction of the new Land Cruiser Commercial, a van conversion of the passenger model that’s being produced at Toyota Manufacturing UK’s (TMUK) plant in Derbyshire.

The most significant model scheduled for 2026 is the all-new RAV4. The sixth generation of the car that created the recreational SUV segment and is regular a global best-seller made its world debut in May 2025. It will be launched later this year in the UK, introducing the next generation of Toyota’s plug-in hybrid technology.

Also on the horizon is the bZ4X Touring. This is a scaled-up version of the electric SUV that provides more load space and more power, plus all-wheel drive, making it ideal for family adventures.

Gazoo Racing: creating ever-better cars, bred from motorsports

Toyota’s GR sprang a surprise with the December unveiling of two new super-performance models – one for the road and one for the track: the new GR GT and GR GT3 race car. Both had previously made an early, heavily camouflaged and anonymous appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, before being presented in public at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon this week.

The multi-award-winning GR Yaris goes from strength to strength. This year will bring a new Aero Performance model, benefiting from a series of new aero parts, each of which has been designed with direct input from pro drivers. Also set for launch in ’26 is the GR yaris MORIZO RR, created with direct input from Toyota Chairman and Master Driver Akio Toyoda – aka the racer Morizo.

Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team achieved another clean-sweep of driver, co-driver and manufacturer world titles in 2025. Sebastien Ogier claimed his ninth FIA WRC driver’s title, with Welshman Elfyn Evans runner-up for a second year in succession.

A similar feat was accomplished by Toyota Gazoo Racing in the World Rally-Raid Championship, with Lucas Moraes taking the driver honours.

UK manufacturing and innovation

Toyota Manufacturing UK (TMUK) is well-established as a global pioneer, a reputation enhanced in 2025 with the announcement its Burnaston plant in Derbyshire would become the first Toyota Circular Factory. This will introduce systematic processing of vehicles when they reach their end-of-life to recycle, repurpose and remanufacture parts. This environmentally focused operation will set the template for other Toyota facilities worldwide.

Burnaston is also set to become the first Toyota factory outside Japan to produce GR sports models with the announcement it will manufacture the GR Corolla. Production will start later this year to help meet high customer demand for the car, which is sold in Japan, North America and other markets outside Europe.

TMUK will develop its role as a centre for mobility research and development. It’s to be the base for a Toyota-led consortium that’s carrying out a feasibility study for a new lightweight battery electric vehicle. The project, inspired by Toyota’s FT-Me concept vehicle, will receive funding through the UK Government’s DRIVE35 programme via the Advanced Propulsion Centre.

Beyond the UK, Toyota has confirmed development of a third generation of its hydrogen fuel cell system. This is a key element in its multipath technology approach and its vision for helping create a future hydrogen society. The all-new system will be designed to meet a wide range of commercial applications. It will have the same durability as diesel powered together with improvements in performance, fuel efficiency and cost.

In 2025, fuel cell electric trucks went into service in Toyota’s European parts logistics operations, providing heavy transport with zero tailpipe emissions.

Best for customer service

Toyota is a customer-first business, so it was especially rewarding for the company to be named the highest-ranked automotive business in the UK Customer Satisfaction Index, published by the Institute of Customer Service.

Sporting sponsorship

In April, Toyota became the new Principal Partner of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), supporting all levels of the sport from the grassroots to the elite professional game for men’s, women’s and disability teams. Inspired by Toyota’s “mobility for all” vision, the sponsorship extends to partnerships with the Scotland and Ireland national teams and backing initiatives to inspire and involve children.

Toyota also launched the first Good For Cricket prize draw in the UK, which in its first year raised more than £290,000 for clubs across Great Britian and Northern Ireland.

ENDS