Next evolution of Toyota LandCruiser takes shape: Iconic 4WD's biggest change in half a century looms as all-electric LandCruiser Se to rival new Nissan Patrol, Range Rover EV and Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Everyone has an idea of what LandCruiser means to them, but it’s a nameplate that’s gone through monumental changes since its introduction. 

From origins in WWII, to the introduction of a comfier Station Wagon version in 1967 on to the smaller, more comfortable Prado in 1990 a smaller and, more recently, its first ever hybrid set-up, the LandCruiser is not static.

The biggest evolution is yet to come, though, with the LandCruiser Se concept shown at last year’s Tokyo motor show pointing to a whole new breed. Not only is it a battery-electric vehicle, it also uses monocoque construction with one eye on boulevard cruising. 

And it might just make production, because Toyota has promised to electrify all of its models — excluding GR Performance — by the end of the decade. 

“As for Toyota’s 2030 commitment, of course The LandCruiser should be included. However, as I explained, the LandCruiser philosophy [means being] suitable for customer demand is very important,” Chief Engineer for Land Cruiser 250 Keita Moritsu told Australian media. 

“So that’s why I need to think about what is suitable electrification between carbon neutrality and customer demand for the LandCruiser.”

While the concept LandCruiser Se is a battery electric model, Moritsu-san is not ruling out other forms of electrification in the nameplate’s future; plug-in hybrid, for example. There is already a hybrid version of the Prado sold in the United States with the brand’s i-Force Max petrol-electric set-up. 

2028 Toyota LandCruiser Se render (Image: Thanos Pappas)

We’ve imagined a production version of the LandCruiser Se in this render by digital artist Thanos Pappas. It takes the overall shape of the concept but wears more realistic wheels and tyres, big physical mirrors, wiper blades and the sort of physical door handles you’d expect from Toyota. 

Tying the LandCruiser Se to the latest 250 Series, we’ve opted to use the trio of square LEDs in the headlights. It’s certainly a departure from 250 and 300 Series Cruisers, but given it’s expected to compete with Range Rovers, the new Nissan Patrol and Mercedes-Benz G-Class, that makes sense. 

CarsGuide pressed Toyota Australia Vice President Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley on the possibility of the LandCruiser Se.

2023 Toyota LandCruiser Se concept

“We believe that in the future, [LandCruier Se] is possible, however, the car industry is probably going to move a bit," he said

“I think it's probably going to be forced to, to be honest, but through different policies and whatever expectations of community, government, policy, regulation, whatever, it's going to move,” he explained.

As carmakers have the ability to offer a broader range of vehicles, Hanley explains the extra granularity in customer type that might dictate whether an electric, road-focussed LandCruiser Se will sell. 

2023 Toyota LandCruiser Se concept

“It could be, for example — and I'm just thinking out loud here, without being perfect — it could be metro-rural split,” said Hanley.  

“A metro LandCruiser driver will have very different requirements to a regional LandCruiser driver, or a mining LandCruiser driver, or a farming LandCruiser driver. In other words, they're going to need massively big off-road capability, great towing, all of the above that we have today. 

“On the other hand, the city LandCruiser buyer, they just want to be able to go to that coastal home and back. They want to be able to drop the kids. 

2023 Toyota LandCruiser Se concept

“Typically, their car is not going to go 1000s of [kilometres] in a week and it's probably going to have very limited off road use, but it needs to have a little bit of off road use,” said Hanley, “Maybe that BEV prototype would suit that customer.”

“As I explained, LandCruiser Se is still a concept version. I can say, currently, that LandCruiser’s future line-up [doesn’t] include monocoque and electrification. If there is strong customer demand for this variant, then I can consider for the future,” said Moritsu-san.

Although Hanley and Moritsu-san mention the monocoque LandCruiser Se’s on-road bent, it would still need to be capable enough to justify a LandCruiser nameplate, not just be an extra luxurious Kluger. 

2023 Toyota LandCruiser Se concept

The LandCruiser Se going into production will hinge on demand, but also advancements in battery and electric motor technology. Toyota is one of the major OEMs holding out for the much-talked-about game-changing solid state battery technology. 

The more compact and powerful battery chemistry is mooted to allow cars to carry enough capacity for over 1000km of driving range from a full charge. Additionally, it should be less flammable than current NMC chemistry, while being more powerful than LFP batteries. 

Not in question, really, is how well electric motors will work for off-roading. With their instant torque deployment and fewer moving parts, they should be ideal for rock crawling and mud-plugging. Having individual motors on axles would further improve capability, as seen in Mercedes-Benz’s new EQG. 

In reality, an electric LandCruiser is unlikely to displace the 300 Series, 250 Series or 70 Series for proper heavy duty work. However, it could work as a luxurious alternative to the current 300 Series Sahara or 250 Series Kakadu.