Toyota has broadened the ever-expanding Land Cruiser family with the smaller, more accessible FJ. The catch? It’s only available in select Asian markets. But fear not, as according to a new report, this might just be the start.

A new SUV and pickup duo is said to be in the works, potentially marking a turning point for the storied Land Cruiser name.

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All Land Cruiser models since 1951 have been built on rugged ladder-frame foundations, defined by their focus on durability, reliability, and off-road prowess.

A Softer Side of Land Cruiser

Now, according to unnamed inside sources cited by Japan’s Best Car, an upcoming pair of Land Cruiser SUV and pickup, described by those same insiders as “the beginning of a new chapter”, are set to break from that long-held tradition.

Both are said to adopt a unibody structure, favoring on-road comfort and daily drivability over the usual body-on-frame toughness.

While these reports should be taken with a measure of caution, they immediately call to mind two familiar concepts: the Toyota EPU pickup truck and the larger, three-row Land Cruiser Se SUV, both shown at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show.

According to Best Car, the forthcoming pickup will share styling cues with the EPU, which measured 199.6 inches (5,070 mm) in length and featured an extendable rear bed.

That setup would clearly set it apart from the new generation Hilux, Tacoma, Tundra, and Land Cruiser 70 Series trucks, all of which continue to rely on traditional body-on-frame construction.

Electric Roots, Flexible Future

Both of the 2023 concepts were fully electric, pairing large battery packs with all-wheel drive systems. Production versions could evolve from Toyota’s e-TNGA platform or shift to a different unibody layout that supports hybrid powertrains. That approach would align with Toyota’s broader “multi-pathway” philosophy, as demonstrated by the new Corolla concept.

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The report indicates that the new pickup could debut as early as 2027. Earlier coverage suggests the production version of the Land Cruiser Se SUV may arrive a year sooner, in 2026, to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the nameplate.

Will They Come to the US?

What is more interesting, but hardly surprising, is that the aforementioned pickup and SUV could be sold in North America. Current information points to the upcoming electric Land Cruiser being built in the US, which makes sense given ongoing tariff challenges and Toyota’s major push into local manufacturing, recently underscored by a $10 billion investment commitment.

Adding to this, Toyota officials have admitted they are considering an affordable pickup for the US market, a role that could be fulfilled by these new two new Land Cruiser models.

An electrified Land Cruiser pickup could go head-to-head with Ford’s forthcoming Ranger-sized EV or the eventual successor to the compact Maverick. Either way, it’s clear Toyota is positioning itself for a broader, more flexible future. We’ll be watching closely as these plans take shape.

Source: Best Car