Before you grab your pitchforks, we’ll make one thing clear. The true, full-sized Toyota Land Cruiser everyone knows, loves, and lusts after will never die. Nor will the Prado and the very well seasoned 70 Series. Heck, the latter will probably outlive civilization.
Instead, the electric version will join the Land Cruiser family tree instead of replacing model. It’s the same way that the upcoming Land Cruiser FJ will expand the range. All clear? Good.
The reason we bring up the Land Cruiser EV is because Toyota just made an important announcement. That’s because the world’s largest automaker said it will roll out three new electric vehicles by late 2026. The teaser showed three EVs we can expect soon, so we’ll break them down.
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We’ll start with the obvious one first. While it doesn’t have an official name yet, we’ve seen it in concept form as the Toyota Land Cruiser Se. It takes the LC name to a different direction, not just because of its powertrain. Instead of a traditional body-on-frame construction like one gets from a proper 4x4, this one is likely to use a car-like unibody chassis.
Other highlights? In concept form at least, Toyota claims it’s a properly sizable crossover at over 5 meters long. We’re expecting four-wheel drive from it as it has a Land Cruiser badge, but perhaps not the full capabilities of the full-sized stablemate.
As for the second one, we’re almost certain that it will be the production version of the EPU Concept from 2023. It was shown at the same time as the Land Cruiser Se during the Japan Mobility Show that same year. While it’s easy to think that it’s an electric Hilux, it’s far from that.
Unlike the Hilux, the EPU is said to use a unibody platform instead of a ladder-frame chassis. It is said that it will utilize the same platform as the next-generation Corolla Cross. Also, it is slated to use a new hybrid drive system that could also be adapted for the redesigned Toyota RAV4.
