Especially since the military strategy in the Pacific is commonly called Island Hopping.

That's what I am hoping. Will be interesting to see how it is named in US assuming we get it.

According to this Japanese magazine the baby LC will only be for the Asian market and will not be made in Japan. Most likely Thailand which means we won't get it here. I don't know of any Toyota vehicles made in other Asian countries that is made North America as well.
If it were about the size of the FJ Cruiser with 4 doors, a lot lighter and had the Rav hybrid engine it would be nice.

http://https://youtu.be/4pfhRNZPC1Y?si=LbA48snNtE1At1AW

Kind of sounds like a competitor to the Suzuki Jimny...

From what I can glean from all of the rumors - there are likely 2 new small boxy SUV models in the works. One a "small" GA-F platform model and one a GA-K (rav4). The GA-F probably not destined for north america - which is the one we'd all want and the GA-K model likely for north america but is basically akin to a Rav4 TRD with a boxy skin.

The GA-F model that would compete with a Jimny would be super popular I think. I'd LOVE to have a BOF suv from Toyota that's 2500-3k lbs and has 4 doors and a removeable top. A new 4 door samurai would be my dream model right now. Even a 2 door would be okay for me. I have a love/hate relationship with my Yamaha UTV due to the poor build quality from Yamaha, the lack of cabin comfort - engine and powertrain noise, lack of all weather protection. But I absolutely love the offroad capability. It's just so crazy good in the terrain I have around me right now that's a mix of peet bogs, mud, rock fields, and snow/ice - but also very narrow trails. It crushes those trails. A new model of something sized like a Jimny with a full cab - especially if it's under $30k - Yes please. I'd have one in my driveway in a heartbeat. Make it flat towable would be even better. The biggest thing it needs is legitimate long travel suspension like a UTV and it would be a huge winner IMO.

The Rav4 doing cosplay - I think that's the high volume seller and the obvious choice for Toyota. I fear it'll be a modern day PT Cruiser or Honda Element. Popular because of the novelty and quickly become stale and boring because it doesn't have a second life as an offroad model so there's no continuity between generations and no halo effect from the enthusiasts. It's easy money for one generation and done I suspect. I really wouldn't care if it is IFS/IRS and unibody if they gave it robust suspension and drivelines and locking differentials front and rear. It'll never happen. But it could also serve the same purpose as my ideal model if they did it right. But Toyota won't even put a front locker in the Land Cruiser. No way they'll do it in a CUV and there's no aftermarket alternatives for front lockers in a toyota transaxle.

The third option that would absolutely blow my mind if Toyota ever did something as fun/exciting as this: A GA-L platform model that's unibody but with rwd bias awd, double wishbone front/rear suspension, and legitimate offroad capability. And IS350 turned CUV. Never going to happen. But it would be the right platform and right design for an enthusiast mini suv.

2024 4R announcement: New color and minor safety features...


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Crazy that the 5th gen model has lasted 15 years.