Toyota’s New LandCruiser Off-Roader: The Land Hopper

With its rugged design and versatile capabilities, can the Land Hopper be the perfect urban explorer and off-road companion?

Toyota is reportedly working on a compact off-roader to expand its LandCruiser lineup. The new model, known as the Land Hopper, will serve as an entry point for the LandCruiser line. It is set to be a boxy little SUV, similar in size to the Corolla Cross. Toyota recently filed a trademark for the Land Hopper name, indicating its imminent arrival.

Toyota is expanding its LandCruiser lineup with the development of a new compact off-roader called the Land Hopper. This boxy little SUV will serve as an entry point for the LandCruiser line, giving customers a more affordable option. While it is expected to have different names in different markets, similar to the LandCruiser Prado, it will be known as the Land Hopper in Japan.

The Land Hopper was recently previewed in the background of the new-generation LandCruiser Prado livestream, giving us a glimpse of its silhouette. Toyota has now officially filed a trademark for the Land Hopper name with the Japanese Patent Office, indicating that its release is imminent. The trademark filing covers the use of the name for ‘power machinery and appliances for land vehicles’.

Exact details and photos of the Land Hopper have not been released yet, but according to Best Car Web, it closely resembles the Compact Cruiser EV concept that was unveiled last year. This means we can expect a boxy side profile, LED headlight signature, and a thick C-pillar. However, there are some notable differences, such as a tailgate mounted-spare wheel and a higher ride height, giving it a more rugged look.

One of the key aspects of the Land Hopper is its range of powertrain options. Best Car Web reports that it will initially be available with petrol engines, but an all-electric version may be added in the future. Potential powertrain options include a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol, a 1.8-litre hybrid, a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder, a 2.5-litre hybrid, or a 1.5-litre turbo hybrid.

In terms of size, the Land Hopper will be similar to the Corolla Cross. It is expected to measure approximately 4490mm long, 1800mm wide, and 1850mm tall. This compact size makes it suitable for both urban driving and off-road adventures, appealing to a wide range of customers.

Toyota’s chief branding officer, Simon Humphries, expressed the company’s commitment to keeping the LandCruiser brand relevant and accessible to more people around the world. He mentioned the possibility of carbon neutral approaches and affordability as part of the LandCruiser’s future. Toyota aims to explore new approaches to mobility that enhance the LandCruiser experience and give people more freedom in motion.

In line with the global shift towards electric vehicles, Toyota has announced its plans to launch 10 EVs by 2026. These electric vehicles will be primarily introduced in the United States and China. The company is investing in new chassis, electronic, and software platforms to support these EVs, and they will be developed and produced under the newly established BEV Factory division. While Toyota hasn’t announced a transition to an all-electric lineup for its eponymous brand yet, its luxury subsidiary, Lexus, plans to go all-electric by 2035 and aims to sell one million EVs annually by 2030.

• Toyota is developing a boxy little off-roader called the Land Hopper.
• The Land Hopper will be an entry-level model for the LandCruiser line.
• It is expected to have different names in different markets, like the LandCruiser Prado.
• Toyota has filed a trademark for the Land Hopper name.
• The Land Hopper will be revealed at the Japan Mobility Show in late 2023.
• It will feature a boxy side profile and LED headlights, similar to the Compact Cruiser EV concept.
• Multiple powertrain options, including petrol and potentially electric, will be available.
• The Land Hopper will have similar dimensions to the Corolla Cross.
• Toyota aims to make the LandCruiser brand more affordable and accessible to a wider audience.
• The company plans to launch 10 electric vehicles globally by 2026.
• Lexus, a subsidiary of Toyota, will transition to an all-electric lineup by 2035.

Toyota is gearing up to introduce the Land Hopper, a compact off-roader that will serve as an entry point for the LandCruiser lineup. With its boxy design and range of powertrain options, including the possibility of an all-electric version, the Land Hopper aims to cater to a wider audience. Toyota’s commitment to affordability and accessibility, along with its future plans for electric vehicles, demonstrates its dedication to evolving the LandCruiser brand. As we eagerly await its official reveal, the Land Hopper promises exciting paths to changing the future of cars.