The Toyota Compact Cruiser EV Concept: A Potential Game-Changer in the Off-Road Market

I typically don't get excited over concepts, it's always fun when a good one comes along. No, I'm not talking about that Buick Wild Cat, since we know that is most certainly a never-gonna-happen sort of thing today. I'm talking about one that still isn't yet based in reality but is something that could happen. Allow me to introduce you to the Toyota Compact Cruiser EV concept.

Toyota initially showed off this concept last winter, but now the automaker has won a design award for the Compact Cruiser EV, so it's showing it off a bit more. And I'm here to say that I love it. We need more compact off-road capable machines, especially ones that think about the future a bit. Compact off-road vehicles can go more places on narrower trails with less of an instant impact on the environment around them. The Jeep Wrangler is an excellent example of this, as its narrow shape allows it to run down trails that would see a Ford Raptor or Ram TRX smashing side mirrors and possibly messing up trees, plants, flowers, bushes, and more.

A more compact solution is great, and Toyota designers have done a great job here by reaching back into the automaker's roots for design inspiration while keeping it retro modern fun. You don't have to look hard to see the FJ Cruiser inspiration here; I also see a bit of the FT 4x concept that was created a few years back by Toyota's California-based design team. This compact Cruiser EV design was created by Toyota's European design team, which is based in Nice, France, and I love this blue version we see here.

The size is great, the wheel design is excellent, and the integrated ladder is fun in a similar vein as the one offered on the Land Rover Defender. Back to the size of it all though, this would make a great competitor for Ford's Bronco Sport and Jeep's Compass or Cherokee. If Toyota actually put some true off-road capability into it, it could be a more adventurous option compared to the Mazda CX-50 and Honda's Trailsport vehicles, and would line up potentially with Subaru's Wilderness family of vehicles. However, I think Toyota could push harder and really surprise people.

This is still just a concept, it's a design exercise, but it's one I hope Toyota is at least considering this. Does mean that there are no specs to speak about of course, but Toyota needs to make this one happen. Electric power trains are great off-road thanks to the immediate torque, so let's keep those skid plates as long as they actually provide protection. Keep the styling and then definitely offer it in this green color because that looks absolutely wonderful.

As for what we can expect from this concept if Toyota decides to bring it to life, there are several possibilities. The Compact Cruiser EV would likely feature a compact design with a focus on off-road capability, which would make it an attractive option for those looking for a more adventurous vehicle. It could also compete directly with other popular off-road capable vehicles in the market, such as the Ford Bronco Sport and Jeep Compass. With its potential for electric power and advanced technology, this concept has the potential to revolutionize the off-road market and provide Toyota with a new direction in terms of design and innovation.

Ultimately, whether or not Toyota decides to bring this concept to life remains to be seen. However, with its unique design and potential for off-road capability, it's definitely worth keeping an eye on as we move forward into the future. Who knows, maybe one day we'll see the Compact Cruiser EV hit production and become a new standard in the off-road market.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enwell i typically don't get excited over concepts it's always fun when a good one comes along no i'm not talking about that buick wild cat since we know that is most certainly a never gonna happen sort of thing today i'm talking about one that still isn't yet based in reality but is something that could happen allow me to introduce to you the toyota compact cruiser ev concept toyota initially showed off this concept last winter but now the automaker has won a design award for the compact cruiser ev so it's showing it off a bit more and i'm here to say that i love it we need more compact off-road capable machines especially ones that think about the future a bit compact off-road vehicles can go more places on narrower trails with less of an instant impact on the environment around them the jeep wrangler is an excellent example of this as its narrow shape allows it to run down trails that would see a ford raptor or ram trx smashing side mirrors and possibly messing up trees plants flowers bushes and more a more compact solution is great and toyota designers have done a great job here reaching back into the automaker's roots for design inspiration while keeping it retro modern fun you don't have to look hard to see the fj cruiser inspiration here i also see a bit of the ft 4x concept that was created a few years back by toyota's california based design team this compact cruiser ev design was created by toyota's european design team which is based in nice france and i love this blue version we see here the size is great the wheel design is excellent and the integrated ladder is fun in a similar vein as the one offered on the land rover defender back to the size of it all though this would make a great competitor for ford's broncos sport and jeep's compass or cherokee and if toyota actually put some true off-road capability into it it could be a more adventurous option compared to the mazda cx-50 and honda's trailsport vehicles and would line up potentially with subaru's wilderness family of vehicles though i think toyota could push harder and really surprise people now this is still just a concept it's a design exercise but it's one i hope toyota is at least considering this does mean that there are no specs to speak about of course but toyota needs to make this one happen electric power trains are great off-road thanks to the immediate torque so let's keep those skid plates as long as they actually provide protection keep the styling and then definitely offer it in this green color because that looks absolutely wonderful youwell i typically don't get excited over concepts it's always fun when a good one comes along no i'm not talking about that buick wild cat since we know that is most certainly a never gonna happen sort of thing today i'm talking about one that still isn't yet based in reality but is something that could happen allow me to introduce to you the toyota compact cruiser ev concept toyota initially showed off this concept last winter but now the automaker has won a design award for the compact cruiser ev so it's showing it off a bit more and i'm here to say that i love it we need more compact off-road capable machines especially ones that think about the future a bit compact off-road vehicles can go more places on narrower trails with less of an instant impact on the environment around them the jeep wrangler is an excellent example of this as its narrow shape allows it to run down trails that would see a ford raptor or ram trx smashing side mirrors and possibly messing up trees plants flowers bushes and more a more compact solution is great and toyota designers have done a great job here reaching back into the automaker's roots for design inspiration while keeping it retro modern fun you don't have to look hard to see the fj cruiser inspiration here i also see a bit of the ft 4x concept that was created a few years back by toyota's california based design team this compact cruiser ev design was created by toyota's european design team which is based in nice france and i love this blue version we see here the size is great the wheel design is excellent and the integrated ladder is fun in a similar vein as the one offered on the land rover defender back to the size of it all though this would make a great competitor for ford's broncos sport and jeep's compass or cherokee and if toyota actually put some true off-road capability into it it could be a more adventurous option compared to the mazda cx-50 and honda's trailsport vehicles and would line up potentially with subaru's wilderness family of vehicles though i think toyota could push harder and really surprise people now this is still just a concept it's a design exercise but it's one i hope toyota is at least considering this does mean that there are no specs to speak about of course but toyota needs to make this one happen electric power trains are great off-road thanks to the immediate torque so let's keep those skid plates as long as they actually provide protection keep the styling and then definitely offer it in this green color because that looks absolutely wonderful you\n"