Why Toyota Should Turn the Corolla Cross Into a Mini Land Cruiser.

Last year, Toyota revealed its long-awaited compact Land Cruiser FJ. However, it was obvious the new truck would not make it to our shores. Being built in Thailand, it is exported to a few Asian countries, Latin America, and the Middle East. But not to North America or Europe. And it will probably never be. I don’t think we are missing much. The design looks a bit goofy and the interior seems really, really cheap. What Toyota needs is a new small Land Cruiser type vehicle specifically engineered for Europe and North America. Why not a next-generation Toyota Corolla Cross? One that would now try to compete against the Ford Bronco Sport. Or at least one more specific trim.

A new, smaller Land Cruiser type model would work very well here and in Europe. The illustrations above show what a more off-road specific Corolla Cross could look like. It would be a new look and personality for the ultra bland Corolla Cross. One that would cash in on the current popularity of off-road trucks in a smaller size and much smaller price. A standard Hybrid powertrain would also give it a huge advantage over the current Honda HR-V and others. 

The Ford Bronco Sport came out in 2021 and was a fantastic idea. And a pretty popular too, with around 125,000 sold in 2024. I am still surprised that basically no one has stepped up with a competitor. After 5 years, there is nothing like it from GM. And even Toyota. Or anyone else. Even Jeep! The new Compass should have had a more retro off-road design. 

An injection of personality is exactly what the Toyota Corolla Cross needs. With almost 100,000 units sold in the US last year, it is doing well. But that’s still almost 50,000 units below the Honda HR-V. Toyota obviously needs to do something…

The whole Toyota Corolla is getting ready for a major shakeup next year. The sedan will be inspired by the futuristic concept we saw last year. And about a year later, a new Corolla Cross will probably be unveiled. The “Mini Land Rover” idea seems to be the perfect one to catch up to the HR-V.