The Japanese automaker has had a mighty full year brimming with worldwide novelties. Some would even say that in some parts of the world, it unleashed a tidal wave of new model introductions.
America, for example, has received stuff like the Corolla Cross Hybrid, the Prius 'Hybrid Reborn' in Prime plug-in hybrid form, an entire family of Nightshade models, a trio of feisty GRs (GR86 Trueno, GR Corolla Circuit, GR Supra 45th Anniversary), the 2024 Grand Highlander, plus the absolute superstars – N400 Tacoma and the 2024 Land Cruiser (known as Prado or 250 in other regions). And I am not so sure I didn't forget a novelty or two.
Anyway, the company is not pushing the brakes anytime soon because it wants to catch up to General Motors and claim the throne for best-selling automaker across the US automotive market. If not this year, then for sure, 2024 is going to be a great one for the sales representatives – especially with the Tacoma and Land Cruiser set to enter the dealerships before the end of next year's first quarter.
But wait, as there is more. Toyota has already kicked off the marketing teaser campaign for at least one model set to premiere during the upcoming 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show (November 17-26). Now, the rumor mill is trying to figure out if the Japanese carmaker will launch the next-gen XV80 Toyota Camry and/or the Toyota Crown Estate (which is actually a crossover SUV, not a station wagon) in California. Beyond that, fans are also eagerly awaiting to see what comes next for the Land Cruiser series following the inaugural Japan Mobility Show presentation of the all-electric Land Cruiser Se.
Interestingly, everyone expected the 'Land Hopper' at the event formerly known as the Tokyo Motor Show for almost seven decades due to a trademark filing issued around the same time Toyota premiered the 2024 Land Cruiser at home in Japan. But that one turned out to be a three-wheeled mobility concept that had nothing to do with the legendary Land Cruiser. As such, now we are back to square one with the mini Land Cruiser – including across the vast expanses of the imaginative realm of digital car content creators. Heck, some of them still call the compact version of the Land Cruiser a Land Hopper in their virtual design project presentations. However, now we know it's not the case anymore.
Instead, if it ever turns real, this compact body-on-frame SUV might keep the 'Land Cruiser' nameplate and perhaps ignite a confusing tale of three different models with the same moniker – this fresh Ford Bronco Sport rival, as well as the J250 and J300 Land Cruiser. As there are many possibilities, there are also many unofficial CGI design projects – the latest are coming from a triumvirate of YouTube channels: Real Automotive, REC Trends, and AutomagzPro. So, without further ado, please choose your favorite hypothetical design!
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News