FJ Cruiser concept 2023

Toyotahas manufactured some amazing off-road-going SUVs the world has ever seen, including the Land Cruiser, 4Runner, and FJ Cruiser. Sadly the current-gen Land Cruiser has been discontinued in the United States as of this year, and the FJ Cruiser was discontinued in 2014. And it’s about time Toyota gave us something to be excited about, and the Compact Cruiser is precisely that.

Like most automakers, Toyota is venturing forward into the electric car segment as its lineup of electrified vehicles continues to grow. The Japanese company unveiled 15 vibrant EV prototypes from the Toyota and Lexus brands at the Mega Web in Tokyo. Among those EV concepts, there was an eye-catching baby Compact Cruiser which looks to be an upgraded, modernized, and electrified version of the FJ Cruiser.

Although it is still a concept and production is a long way down the road, the Compact Cruiser has caught our eye, and we’re waiting to see what this electric baby has in store for us. So without any further hesitation, let’s get into what we know about the 2024 Toyota Compact Cruiser so far.

Toyota Compact Cruiser’s Award-winning Design

Via: Toyota 

The Compact Cruiser has been making headlines since it won the 2022 Car Design Award for the best concept car. The Compact Cruiser bested some fierce competitors, such as the Porsche Mission R, Lexus Electrified Sport, Audi Skysphere, and the Polestar O2. So it is safe to say that the Compact Cruiser has an impeccable design, and it’s going to be worth the wait.

FJ fans can see the similarities between the Compact Cruiser and the FJ cruiser, including its upright A-pillars, large windows, flat roof, and box-shaped body. Pay close attention, and you can notice that the Compact Cruiser also draws inspiration from the first-gen Toyota Land Cruiser, although it appears to be much smaller, hence the name.

The Compact Cruiser’s tough and rugged exterior, simple body panels, and particular off-road-ready silhouette also resemble the Land Cruiser. The concept of the Cruiser EV was born at the ED2 design center in Nice. It was meticulously designed for urban dwellers who enjoy spending time in nature and don’t mind getting their wheels dirty.

With all-terrain tires, tucked-away bumpers, and plenty of ground clearance, this four-door EV is perfect for off-road adventures. The Compact Cruiser is a small EV crossover, and it boasts a modern exterior design; the stylish LED lights, a colossal skid plate, and edgy grille design complete the look perfectly.

The Toyota Compact Cruiser is an environmentally friendly version of the FJ Cruiser, with a beautiful, modern, and sharp design; who wouldn’t want that?

All-electric Powertrain For This Compact Toyota Cruiser

Via: Toyota 

Even though not much has been made official about the 2024 Toyota Compact Cruiser EV SUV, based on the off-road purposes of the Compact Cruiser, we assume it will come standard with an all-wheel drive system. We expect to find Toyota’s new e-TNGA platform lying beneath the Compact Cruiser also shares its electric powertrain with other upcoming EV prototypes introduced by Toyota.

At the moment, the only electric Toyota vehicle provided in the United States is the bZ4X crossover SUV, which has become an instant success. In this model, Toyota offers customers a choice between a single 150 kW electric motor that produces 201 horsepower or two 80 kW motors, which increases the output to 215 horses. We assume the compact Cruiser will also offer a dual-motor and provide around 250 hp or more.

Toyota began to move towards an all-electric future over two decades ago with the launch of the Prius Hybrid, and now they are taking things further by planning to release 15 more EVs and guiding us into a brighter future with more eco-friendly vehicles.

FJ Cruiser's All-electric Reincarnation Has Us Hooked

Via: Toyota 

The Toyota Compact Cruiser is said to be available in dealerships all around the world by the fall of 2023 or early 2024, providing customers with a smooth ride and tons of electric off-road fun. Although Toyota has released no detailed information about the Compact Cruiser baby FJ, we speculate they will offer it in three trims; LE, XLE, and Limited. We also estimate that the prices will likely start off at somewhere about $35,000.

From the awesome production cars we have seen from Toyota over the years, it's only right to expect the Compact Cruiser to be at least as comfortable, safe, and reliable as legends such as the FJ Cruiser or Land Cruiser. We may only have the concept of the Compact Cruiser available to us for now, but hopefully, we will have the small all-electric off-roading machine in production in the next few years.

Source: Toyota