Toyota Compact SUV in the Making; India Launch Possible

Toyota Compact SUV in the Making: The Toyota’s sub-brand Daihatsu is working on a new sub-four meter SUV that is supposed to make a world debut in November this year. It is being expected that Toyota will make their own version based on the Daihatsu product and the new compact SUV will most probably act as a replacement for the popular Toyota Rush that is currently sold in multiple markets abroad.

After the launch in the international markets, Toyota is expected to launch its compact SUV in India at a later stage. It will slot into the same segment as the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, Maruti Vitara Bezza, Honda WR-V, and the recently launched Hyundai Venue.

The rugged styling of the Toyota compact SUV is expected to include all-LED headlamps, tail lights, fog lamps, and the car is also expected to come with an optional black roof. It will also feature black cladding on the bumpers and the doors. There are rumours in the market that the upcoming compact SUV could also be launched as the “New Global” version of the Toyota Rush.

Mechanically, the new SUV by Toyota will come powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and will come with 2WD and 4WD options. The upcoming product will compete with the likes of Suzuki Jimny in international markets. The yet-to-be-named car will be based on a version of Toyota’s TNGA platform that is further based on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA).

Recently, the first product from the Toyota-Suzuki partnership went on sale in India. Known as Toyota Glanza, the hatchback is actually a rebadged version of the Maruti Baleno. In the coming months, this partnership will also see Maruti supplying its Vitara Brezza, Ciaz, and Ertiga to Toyota and in return, Toyota will provide them with the Corolla Altis.

One of the recent reports also suggests that both the Japanese brands will also work together to develop technology for an all-electric vehicle. Also, it is being said that both the brands will come up with an all-new C-segment MPV that will be sold by Toyota as well as Maruti Suzuki in the Indian market.