Electric Tacoma and FJ-like Small CUV Previewed by Toyota

As electric vehicles claim an increasing share of the spotlight, Toyota recently previewed a slew of electrified products to help lead the company into the future. Among these concept vehicles are the Pickup EV, which is our first look at an electric Tacoma, and the Compact Cruiser EV, which foreshadows a small off-roader with FJ design cues.

The existing third-generation Tacoma has been around since 2016 and feels dated. Its 3.5L V-6 has never set the world on fire, but the model’s reliability and aftermarket support have helped make the Taco the most popular small/midsize pickup. It’s about time for a refresh, and the Pickup EV concept previews what we can expect an electric, battery-powered small/midsize Toyota pickup to look like. Turns out it looks a lot like today’s Tacoma, with a few design cues stolen from the new Tundra. We see a blacked-out A-pillar and the sealed-off front grille traditional of electric vehicles, as well as exaggerated fender flares and a more muscular hood. The truck doesn’t look to push the styling boundaries, but we hope playing it safe on the outside means Toyota goes big underneath.

The other exciting off-road vehicle that came from the event is called Compact Cruiser EV. It appears to be about the size of the Jeep Renegade and takes heavy styling input from the FJ Cruiser. Its upright windshield, slotted hood, vertical mirrors, and overall shape evoke the feeling of a “cute ute” with what we hope are decent off-road chops. Like the Pickup EV, the Compact Cruiser EV is part of Toyota’s plan for its future of electrified vehicles.

Toyota states that by 2030 it hopes to sell 3.5 million battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The two vehicles seen here are part of the 30 BEVs the brand plans to launch by then so as to reach this goal, and it plans to invest $35 billion between 2022 and 2030 to get there.