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A dual-cab ute on car-derived underpinnings may be the next Toyota LandCruiser variant, a new report out of Japan has alleged.
The next additions to the Toyota LandCruiser four-wheel-drive range may be an electrified dual-cab ute and SUV – based on a ‘soft-roader’ platform, not a hardcore ladder frame – a new report out of Japan has claimed.
Japanese publication Best Car has alleged Toyota is preparing to break with more than 70 years of tradition with its first LandCruiser models with a monocoque construction, not a ladder-frame chassis typically favoured for off-road ruggedness and performance.
And among the shock new vehicles would be a dual-cab ute, the magazine claims, as a rival to the car-derived Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz sold in the US.
Toyota has not confirmed the reports, as it does not typically comment on media speculation.
An arrival date of 2028 is quoted by the publication for the SUV, while no timeline is given for the ute.
Best Car reports the LandCruiser ute – a dual-cab pick-up with an integrated tub, rather than the heavy-duty 70 Series ute sold in other markets with a separated tray – is the production version of the EPU concept revealed at the 2023 Tokyo motor show.
The EPU concept was a fully-electric vehicle, as with the LandCruiser Se concept it was revealed alongside, which the report claims will form the basis of the new ‘LandCruiser Sport’ monocoque SUV.
The magazine says it has “no information” on what will power the models, but it speculates they will have some form of electrification, in the form of underpinnings that can support hybrid and electric power, rather than batteries only.
If the report is accurate, the move to a monocoque platform for the next LandCruiser family members would represent a major step that reflects a focus on boxy styling and road presence over ultimate off-road ruggedness and capability.
Toyota is yet to bring electric power to the LandCruiser family, but it has introduced ‘full hybrid’ power to the 300 Series and Prado ‘250 Series’, plus a 48 volt mild-hybrid diesel system in the latter in Australia.
Best Car speculates the SUV may offer a choice of two or three rows of seats, given the LandCruiser Se concept was larger than a 300 Series, and closer to the footprint of a Nissan Patrol or full-sized German luxury SUVs.
The Japanese car giant has previously expressed interest in production versions of the EPU and LandCruiser Se concepts for Australia.
"What this is giving you a pointer to is that we're ready. We're prepared. And if these cars come into production, I can assure you Australia, particularly LandCruiser, would be the first one [to get them]," Toyota Australia sales and marketing boss Sean Hanley told media at the Tokyo motor show two years ago.
"LandCruiser is Toyota’s iconic off-road nameplate with more than 10 million sales globally.
"Therefore, it’s important that this vehicle gets an electric option and today we're seeing a glimpse of what the first electric LandCruiser could in fact look like."
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
