Toyota shows off Compact Cruiser EV

Toyota has given us a closer look at its electric Compact Cruiser SUV.

First shown as part of massive Toyota EV roll-out preview last December, the Compact Cruiser has now picked up a gong at the 2022 Car Design Awards run by Italian publication, Auto&Design Magazine.

Shaped by Toyota’s ED2 design centre in Nice, France, the Compact Cruiser EV draws inspiration from both the iconic LandCruiser and the discontinued FJ Cruiser, which shared its underpinnings with the Prado.

“Our research into electric vehicles has been ongoing for more than 30 years, and we’ve come a long way,” said Toyota Design senior general manager Simon Humphries.

“After an initial phase of contact with electric vehicles, people will want zero-emission cars that speak about them and express their lifestyle … the Compact Cruiser EV is a perfect example of that trend.”

The Compact Cruiser EV is presented in several different guises in new pictures released to coincide with its award win.

A physical clay property identical to the one first seen as part of last December’s announcement is shown outdoors and burns the retinas in blue and orange.

Different pics show it with chunky alloys or white-painted retro wheels.

But there are also digital representations of the Compact Cruiser EV in both tan and dark green paint jobs showing it out in the wild tackling various off-road scenarios.

Specs for the Compact Cruiser aren’t being offered as yet by Toyota apart from it being electric and all-wheel drive.

Toyota says it targets professional urban dwellers who enjoy active outdoor leisure interests and is designed to enhance the lifestyles of its target customers with a uniquely engaging, go-anywhere, all-wheel drive EV experience.

It certainly looks the off-road part with pronounced front and rear silver skid plates, large black fender flares and even a ladder to help access to the roof.

There are snowboards clipped to the top of the Compact Cruiser concept, while the digital renderings have both snowboards and a surfboard up top, underlining the car’s adventurous intentions.

The renders also show the car fitted with auxiliary lighting, roof racks and branch deflector wires. No interior images were released.

The Compact Cruiser EV was one of 16 new electric vehicles Toyota showed off last December. Others included a HiLux-sized pick-up truck, a Lexus supercar and a while family of models to populate the new bZ sub-brand led by the bZ4X.