Toyota released this image of the Compact Cruiser EV concept in 2022.
In the face of an electric SUV onslaught from the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW over the past few years, Toyota has said consistently that it plans to stay true to its goal of offering a “mixed bag” of powertrains that will also include EVs.
So while it will continue to produce gasoline hybrids, plug-in hybrids and more hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles like the Mirai, it will also introduce a bunch of fully electric vehicles over the next few years.
And one of those that the U.S. market will be watching is this one—the Toyota Compact Cruiser EV. Granted it’s not a very sexy name, but we can expect something raunchier and more appealing when the SUV lands in showrooms in 2025.
Its eye-catching styling however, is derived from previous gasoline powered SUVs like the FJ Cruiser, 4Runner and Land Cruiser, but with extra boxy, chunky, off-road looks and body cladding that suit its character perfectly, and dare we say, resemble some of the lines of the Land Rover Defender.
This EV concept's powertrain is still unclear but we expect it to have range exceeding 220 miles.
Toyota is still tight-lipped about the Cruiser EV’s specs, but one powertrain being considered is that fitted to Lexus’ first-ever EV, the RZ450e. This SUV is propelled with a 308hp all-wheel-drive setup that delivers a maximum range of 220 miles. That kind of instantaneous power should be enough to push the Toyota from zero to 60 mph in under 5 seconds. Whichever powertrain it ends up with, we hope for range north of 220 miles to help it keep up with the competition which all offer over 250 miles.
Given the Toyota’s size, power and range, that should put the Cruiser EV up against the upcoming Ford Explorer EV, Tesla Cybertruck and the Chevrolet Silverado EV and Equinox EV which will be one of the cheapest on the market at around $35,000, mirroring the Toyota EV’s price tag.
Expected to employ 4WD tech sourced from over 70 years of Land Cruiser’s off-road heritage, the rugged Cruiser EV will be just as competent on-road as it will be on dirt or gravel, which should give it a slight advantage over the Explorer, Equinox and Silverado.
