Toyota has been teasing the idea of a baby Land Cruiser for over three years now. The notion seems one step closer to reality now that patent images showing a full render of the vehicle have been discovered. The rendering looks like a cross between several existing Toyota models, including thew new Land Cruiser 250 and dearly departed FJ Cruiser.
It looks a lot like the Toyota Compact Cruiser concept unveiled in December 2021, a vehicle that won a 2022 Auto Design Award for Best Concept. The cladding is pulled back a bit and the bold color accent on the C-pillar is gone, but it seems to be an evolution of that design. Sadly, the concept’s wheels inspired by those of the FJ40 did not appear to make it to the patent.
The patent was filed by Toyota in the Philippines and Thailand, leading Best Car to predict that it might be based on the Toyota Hilux Champ sold in those countries. Built on Toyota’s IMV-0 ladder frame platform, the simple work truck has become an instant enthusiast’s classic, thanks to its honest functionality and shut-up-and-take-my-money price tag of $13,000.
Best Car says that the mini Cruiser will be about the size of a Corolla Cross and come with either a 2.7-liter gasoline four or a 2.8-liter diesel. The article also states that, like with the Land Cruiser 250 sold in America, there will be two headlight options, square and retro round. Finally a price of between $28,000 to $33,500 and a release date of early 2026 is predicted.
Unfortunately, given these clues it this Land Cruiser Lite, like the Hilux Champ, doesn’t seem destined for the US.
No surprise it’s not coming here. First, we never, or rarely, get the cool stuff, and second, not enough margin for US stealerships to be happy selling it.
Oh, and anything of a reasonable size won’t sell in America any more, as the buying public has
devolved to a 1960s mind set of bigger is better. Hence all the moms in the suburbs cruising around solo in hulking over sized SUVs.
“Unfortunately, given these clues it this Land Cruiser Lite, like the Hilux Champ, doesn’t seem destined for the US.”
The US wants the Land Cruiser Obese.
Ladder frame, 2.7 liter gas engine without the hybrid complexity (hopefully with manual trans.), and lower price would sell. Women I know drive crossovers because they feel safer being able to see above cars. Men would buy this because it’s off-road capable. Only people that wouldn’t buy this are people that won’t fit because they’re too tall or too obese.
While the guts are probably pretty good, the body is disappointing. It’s vanilla. Square up both ends to something more retro.
I had a 1999 Land Cruiser. It was a great vehicle. This looks like the love child of a Jeep Compass and a Kia Soul.