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Toyota Plans to Build a Crossover Smaller Than the RAV4

(Credit: © Toyota)

Concept Vehicles

Toyota Plans to Build a Crossover Smaller Than the RAV4

Toyota C-HR Concept

Toyota C-HR Concept (Credit: © Toyota)

The small crossover segment continues heating up with each passing year. Today we receive word from Car Advice that Nissan plans to join this segment with an all-new crossover that it’ll slot below the existing RAV4.The report goes on to claim that the new crossover could debut as early as the Geneva Auto Show in March 2016.

If you’re curious about what to expect from a tiny Toyota crossover, you can look to the C-HR concept (pictured) that the automaker launched last September for a general idea. Of course, this concept has dramatically over-styled lines, huge wheels, and other bold cues that won’t make it to a production model, but its general size and some styling cues are a great indicator of things to come, according to Toyota Europe sales boss, Karl Schlicht.

According to reports, this new crossover will share its platform with the upcoming next-gen Prius, but don’t start dreaming of a small hybrid crossover yet. This new model will drop the Prius’ hybrid drivetrain in favor of small gasoline and diesel engines. One of these engines is rumored to be a Mazda-sourced 1.5-liter turbo-diesel unit.

Toyota C-HR Concept

Toyota C-HR Concept

The mention of the diesel engine signals the model’s initial target: Europe. Toyota didn’t get into whether it would release this small crossover in the U.S., but I would think that it’ll monitor the popularity of the Honda HR-V and the upcoming Nissan Qashqai here in the States before making a final determination.

Most estimates put the release of this new crossover at around 2017, but Car Advice mentions that Nissan may push this date ahead to get an early jump on this growing segment.

Unfortunately, we have some time to wait before there’s official confirmation, but there are bound to be a few leaks here and there between now and the official release. We’ll bring you all of the latest info on this model as it becomes available.

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