In all likelihood, Toyota will not launch the upcoming Fronlander crossover/SUV in India anytime soon
Toyota has teased its upcoming SUV named Frontlander on its social media handles ahead of its global debut. The mid-size SUV is based on the international-spec Corolla Cross which is currently on sale in select markets such as Japan, USA, Brazil and Thailand.
Toyota Frontlander SUV will be positioned below RAV4 in the Japanese carmaker’s global SUV lineup. Frontlander will most likely go on sale in China first followed by other international markets. It is essentially a rebadged Chinese-spec Corolla Cross with subtle cosmetic variations in order to distinguish itself.
In the Chinese market, Frontlander will be produced and marketed in association with local automaker GAC. Toyota already retails a few SUVs from its international portfolio in China with different brand names. For instance, RAV4 is sold as Wildlander and Highlander is retailed as a re-hashed Crown Kluger in the Chinese market.
Frontlander Specs, Design
Coming back to Frontlander, it is based on the TNGA (Toyota New Generation Architecture) modular platform that underpins a wide range of sedans and SUVs globally. Under the hood, it features a familiar 1.8-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with hybrid technology. Power will be sent to all four wheels via a standard AWD (all-wheel-drive) system.
Frontlander is expected to share almost everything with the Japanese Corolla Cross including its underpinnings. The aesthetic updates on the former in comparison to the latter should include a redesigned front grille, a reprofiled front bumper with a larger air-intake and new headlamp clusters. Apart from this, the rear end of Frontlander will feature a revised bumper and new LED taillights. It will also roll on newly designed 18-inch alloy wheels.
Global Debut Timeline
The upcoming SUV is slated to make its debut in China during the Guangzhou Auto Show in November. Frontlander will be built as a left-hand drive car for markets like China while Corolla Cross is available as a right-hand-drive model in Thailand. There is no confirmation if either of the two SUVs will reach Indian shores in the near future.
Toyota, however, might bring RAV4 to India as it has been spotted on multiple occasions previously. The Japanese carmaker is also developing a compact mid-size SUV in collaboration with Maruti Suzuki which will rival the likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun.
This SUV will be underpinned by the DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Architecture) platform which is essentially a more affordable version of TNGA. This platform currently underpins Toyota Raize compact SUV.
