The Toyota mini Land Cruiser will be an electric 4x4 with a European seal arriving sooner than expected
The mini Land Cruiser will be a reality sooner rather than later. Toyota is working on a compact-sized, 100% electric 4x4 with a European seal. Anticipated through the conceptual model Compact Cruiser EV, it will share a platform with the new electric Toyota C-HR and offer a maximum range of 600 kilometers.
The idea of seeing a compact Land Cruiser in dealerships is not new. For years, there has been speculation about a mini 4x4 under the Toyota seal. An off-road vehicle of a more modest size. Recently, rumors and speculations about the hypothetical mini Land Cruiser have increased. New information from faraway Japan points to a genuine "bombshell" in the off-road world. A small gasoline Land Cruiser at an unbeatable price.
Toyota has hinted on more than one occasion that it envisions an electric future for the Land Cruiser. And while it is still to be seen what will happen with the upcoming generations of this legendary 4x4, the truth is that Toyota's plan to materialize its "little brother" is beginning to unfold. Especially considering the latest reports that have come to light.
The mini Land Cruiser will be electric and made in Europe
According to exclusive information accessed by the French media L'argus, Toyota's plan for the mini Land Cruiser is crystal clear. At least regarding the European market. It will not be thermal nor will it inherit the mechanical aspects of the model currently available in dealerships. The small Land Cruiser will be 100% electric.
It has been a few years since the Toyota Compact Cruiser EV was unveiled. A conceptual model that already laid the groundwork for a hypothetical compact-sized Land Cruiser with an electric propulsion system. This concept car will finally have a production version. The compact Land Cruiser will be a reality. But, unfortunately for purists, it will not have thermal engines.
This future member of the Land Cruiser family will bear the "Made in Europe" seal. It will be manufactured in Europe. More specifically, at Toyota's facilities located in Kolin, Czech Republic. A plant where models like the Toyota Aygo X Cross and the Toyota Yaris are already produced.
The "mini" Land Cruiser will not be a classic 4x4
On a technical level, no major surprises are expected. Current reports make it clear that it will be supported by the e-TNGA platform. Therefore, it will be related to other electric vehicles currently available in the Toyota range. In terms of size, as it will measure about 4.4 meters long, it will be positioned midway between the Toyota Urban Cruiser and the Toyota C-HR+.
All eyes will be on the electric propulsion system. It will feature a new generation of batteries, with options for LFP and NMC in the range. In the best-case scenario, the range of the electric Land Cruiser will reach 600 kilometers. What remains to be seen is the level of real 4x4 capability it will have.
When will it hit the market? Production of the compact Land Cruiser is expected to begin in 2028. Toyota will also assemble the batteries for the electric Land Cruiser at the aforementioned Czech plant. A significant investment will be made to improve and expand the facilities.