Toyota Working On Smaller-than-Fortuner SUV to Rival Jeep Compass

Toyota is currently working on an all-new compact SUV, which will sit below the RAV4 in the carmaker's line-up. And, it will be a direct rival to the likes of Jeep Compass. Over the years, Toyota RAV4 has grown up so much that it now sits on the same platform as the Camry. Both the cars are based on the company’s NGA-K version of the TNGA platform. A recent report from Japan-based Magazine X says that Toyota is currently working on an all-new compact SUV codenamed as “local boy”. The upcoming compact SUV will be the production-spec version of the Toyota TJ Cruiser Concept, which was showcased at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. Thus one can expect a boxy design along with a lot of straight lines.

The upcoming Toyota compact SUV is codenamed as "local boy"

The new compact SUV will not feature sliding doors like the TJ Cruiser. The car will be based on the same platform as the Toyota Prius, Toyota Corolla and Toyota C-HR. All these cars are based on the GA-C platform (a smaller version of the TNGA platform). Dimensionally, the upcoming SUV will be 4410 mm long, 1815 mm wide and 1600 mm tall. It will derive power from a hybrid setup comprising of a 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor. One can expect the all-new compact SUV to be unveiled in 2022. As compared to the Toyota RAV4, this new model will be more suitable for the Indian market, considering its compact dimensions and affordable pricing. 

Toyota TJ Cruiser was first unveiled at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show

But, before it happens, Toyota will launch a new sub-4m compact SUV based on the Maruti Brezza. The new Toyota SUV will be named as ‘Urban Cruiser’. The car is expected to hit the Indian shores in the coming months. Compared to Maruti Brezza, the Toyota Urban Cruiser will feature subtle cosmetical updates on the outside and as well as on the inside.