Bold statement: Toyota’s best-seller in Europe is poised to go electric, signaling a major shift for a market that’s been slow to embrace EVs. The Yaris, long the top-selling Toyota in Europe, is set to receive an electric upgrade after the Corolla, cementing a new era for the small-car segment.
Is the Yaris really heading to an EV lineup?
We already knew Toyota planned to electrify the Corolla after CEO Koji Sato showcased the low-slung Corolla Concept at the Japan Mobility Show in October, hinting at a broader electrification strategy.
Sato framed the move this way: whether you choose a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), a conventional hybrid (HEV), or a pure internal-combustion car, the goal is to craft good-looking cars that people actually want to drive. The next-generation Corolla will offer multiple powertrain options, including full electric.
Following that path, the Yaris is due for a comprehensive update that will likewise encompass EV, hybrid, and ICE variants.
Andrea Carlucci, vice president of Toyota Motor Europe, told Auto Express that if electrification is the direction, a fully electric version is almost unavoidable. He stopped short of naming a launch date but indicated the move is clearly on the horizon.
Although an EV version seems likely, the Yaris will continue to be offered with multiple powertrains. Carlucci emphasized that the current platform must remain robust for small cars when delivering hybrids, implying the new design will need to accommodate a range of propulsion options.
Toyota’s new shared platform, planned to underpin the upcoming Corolla, will support BEV, hybrid, and ICE powertrains. Like the Corolla, the next-generation Yaris is expected to maintain the same exterior and interior styling and standard features across all powertrain variants.
A key open question is efficiency: can the Yaris, built on a multi-powertrain platform rather than a dedicated EV platform, compete effectively as an EV? To challenge rivals such as the Renault 5 and the upcoming VW ID. Polo, the Yaris EV will likely need a driving range of at least about 250 miles.
As for design cues, the next-gen Yaris is anticipated to borrow elements from Toyota’s current look, possibly drawing from the Highlander EV and the Corolla Concept, including a distinctive new “hammerhead” front end. The facelift would give the Yaris a more modern silhouette and help it keep pace with a growing wave of affordable EVs.
The electric Yaris is expected to appear after the next-gen Corolla, with a timeline pointing to late 2027 or 2028. The Corolla’s redesign is anticipated later in 2026 or early 2027, setting the stage for a staggered rollout across Toyota’s European lineup.
In Europe last year, the Yaris Cross led sales (200,477 units), followed by the Yaris itself (167,019) and the Corolla range (155,643), underscoring the model’s strong market presence and highlighting why a successful EV version could reshape Toyota’s small-car strategy. Do you think an electrified Yaris will maintain—or even grow—this demand? Share your take in the comments.
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