Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division is gearing up to expand its high-performance lineup with an unprecedented SUV. According to Tomoya Takahashi, the division’s president, this GR-badged SUV will surpass all existing Toyota models in terms of power.
This upcoming SUV will be the first of its kind to sport the GR label and is slated for release in the near future. Takahashi emphasized the importance of catering to customers who require the versatility and space of an SUV while desiring top-notch performance. He emphasized that the GR division’s limited capacity requires prioritization, ruling out smaller models like the Yaris Cross, Corolla Cross, or bZ4X.
While Toyota has expanded its crossover and SUV lineup, it has yet to introduce a GR model in this category. In the U.S., Toyota’s GR range includes the GR Corolla at $36,500, the GR86 priced at $29,300, and the GR Supra at $46,440. Potential SUVs and crossovers for the GR performance treatment could include the Highlander, Grand Highlander, RAV4, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, and the C-HR in some markets.
Sporty crossovers and SUVs from rival automakers Hyundai, Kia, and Volkswagen have already been released. Examples of these vehicles include the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Kona N, the Kia EV6 GT, and the Volkswagen T-Roc R, Tiguan R, and Touareg R. A Land Cruiser bearing the GR moniker would have to produce more power and torque than the present model 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet.
