Toyota plans to expand its Land Cruiser lineup and to treat the storied model as a brand in its own right, thanks to the addition of two new electric models that will soon go on sale. Hinted at previously by a pair of concept vehicles, the Japanese company is planning a small model for young customers, and a larger one for those with a taste for luxury.
Previewed by the Land Cruiser SE in 2023, the EV is expected to be larger and more focused on comfort than the J250 series Land Cruiser (Prado) that’s coming to North America. It will also use advanced technologies, like Toyota’s prismatic cells, which promise to be cheaper to produce, and to be more energy dense than existing battery technology.
More: Everything We Know About Toyota’s Compact Land Cruiser
The model’s combination of tech and luxury could make it an ideal product to unveil on the 75th anniversary of the Land Cruiser nameplate in 2026, reports Autocar.Two years later, an even higher-performance battery may be introduced, which could push ranges up to 621 miles (1,000 km) per charge.
Although it won’t be quite as off-road-focused as the J250 Land Cruiser Prado, Toyota will ensure that the Land Cruiser SE delivers “highly responsible handling” when it’s on a trail. The large amounts of torque from the electric motors should make it capable of clambering up any hills or across ditches it comes upon.
Meanwhile, no timeline has been proposed for the smaller model, though it was previewed in 2021 by the Compact Cruiser EV concept. It is expected to be similar in size to the bZ4X, but will be more focused on style and utility. What this means is that it could compete with the likes of the upcoming baby Land Rover Defender and Mercedes’ little G-Class, two EVs that will combine compact proportions with rugged looks.
More: Toyota FJ Trademark Hints At New Compact Land Cruiser
Like the bZ4X, it is expected to be based on the E-TNGA architecture. Currently, the platform is able to deliver up to 214 hp (160 kW/217 PS) and has a 71.4 kWh battery pack that can get a vehicle up to 259 miles (417 km) per charge. Whether the little Land Cruiser’s boxy proportions will affect its range remains to be seen.
Previous reports from Japan have indicated that, in addition to a battery electric variant, there are also potential plans for internal combustion and hybrid versions of the SUV in development. In any case, the model’s primary goal is to make the expanding Land Cruiser lineup more affordable, and “within reach of more people around the world,” according to the automaker’s chief branding officer.
