Toyota is quietly working on a baby Land Cruiser that’s due to be revealed in 2024. The concept you see here previews what’s coming.

At the reveal of the brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, the brand shared a teaser image of a smaller offroad-focused SUV and the shape more or less matches up with the Toyota Compact Cruiser EV concept that was shown back in 2021.

Despite the EV tag, we understand the baby Toyota Land Cruiser will be offered with petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric powertrains. Toyota has quite the array of engines to choose from, but these depend on the platform used. At this point its unclear whether the newcomer will use the TNGA setup (RAV4, Corolla Cross) or the GA-F ladder frame (Land Cruiser 300, Lexus LX).

The info comes straight from Japanese publication BestCar who claim the baby Land Cruiser will be aimed squarely at the Suzuki Jimny market, but will be longer to give it the advantage when it comes to boot space.

If you look at the current local Toyota lineup, we think a baby Land Cruiser is well positioned as an offroad-focused SUV. The Corolla Cross does feature adequate ground clearance, but it lacks dedicated 4×4 mechanical bits.

The RAV4 has all-wheel drive fitted in some derivatives, but no low-range transfer case. There is the Fortuner, but what if you don’t need something that big or 7 seats? Enter the mini Land Cruiser! Now, imagine if Ford could bring the Bronco to SA in right-hand drive? We’d have quite the fight on our hands.

When will the baby Toyota Land Cruiser be revealed?

We expect the baby Land Cruiser to be revealed in 2024 and we’re hoping it will be assembled in right-hand drive. If it is, an introduction to SA is highly likely.

Further Reading

Meet the brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado!

The Lexus GX is a posh Prado