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A monocoque-based lifestyle Toyota Land Cruiser SUV is said to be internally referred to as a production evolution of the Land Cruiser Se Concept
The Land Cruiser lineup of Toyota has been expanding rapidly and after the debut of the Land Cruiser FJ last month, another interesting derivative has been running on the rumour mill. A monocoque-based lifestyle SUV is said to be internally referred to as a production evolution of the Land Cruiser Se Concept showcased at the Japan Mobility Show 2023.
The forthcoming SUV is expected to arrive around 2028 and it will be more compact than the Land Cruiser 300. Unlike traditional Land Cruiser models primarily created to tackle extreme terrain, this one is reportedly being developed as a more city-friendly, design-forward product without losing its off-road credibility.
The original Land Cruiser Se concept measured 5,150 mm in length, 1,990 mm in width and 1,705 mm in height – making it notably lower and sleeker than the LC 250. If these proportions are carried over, the upcoming model will significantly transform the brand’s design language – moving it towards a more stylish SUV appeal. A three-row seating layout is highly likely – although a two-row option is also expected for select markets.
Powertrain details remain under wraps but Toyota is reportedly working on a multi-path platform that supports both BEV (Battery Electric) and HEV (Hybrid Electric) configurations. The SUV will use an advanced 4WD setup with Toyota’s next-gen DIRECT4 system which actively manages torque distribution depending on driving conditions.
The model is also being engineered as a fully-fledged SDV (Software Defined Vehicle) – integrated with Toyota’s upcoming Arene software platform allowing for OTA updates and advanced driver functions. Along the same lines, Toyota is also preparing a smaller Land Cruiser FJ model which is expected to surface as early as February 2026.
Positioned as a more compact and approachable version of the Land Cruiser off-road family, it could potentially challenge lifestyle SUVs like the Thar and Jimny globally. It could sit right in the midsize SUV segment underpinned by a monocoque chassis with an overall length of around 4.4 metres and may potentially target Thar Roxx with good off-road characteristics and regular midsize SUV offerings.
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