Say hello to the new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ, a boxy 5-seater SUV featuring retro-inspired styling. And it’s “definitely under study” for a local introduction…
- New Land Cruiser FJ officially unveiled in Japan
- Measures 40 mm shorter than outgoing RAV4
- JDM-spec model to use 2.7-litre petrol engine
Meet the new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ. Revealed online ahead of its world premiere at the Japan Mobility Show 2025, the retro-styled newcomer effectively slots in at the foot of the broader Land Cruiser SUV range, below the J250-series Prado, the evergreen Land Cruiser 70 Series and the flagship Land Cruiser 300.
The new model is scheduled to launch in Japan “around mid-2026”. Toyota South Africa Motors told Cars.co.za the Land Cruiser FJ is “definitely under study” for a local introduction, given “our market’s affinity for the Land Cruiser brand”. In addition, it’s worth noting Toyota applied to trademark the “Land Cruiser FJ” badge in SA back in November 2023.
The design of the new Land Cruiser FJ – which was leaked back in May 2025 – clearly draws inspiration from the single-generation FJ Cruiser that was available in South Africa from 2011 to 2023, though the FJ badge traces its roots all the way back to the early 1950s. Several design cues from 2022’s similarly boxy Compact Cruiser concept are present, too.
Toyota says the new FJ Land Cruiser’s front and rear corner bumpers are removable, allowing “only damaged parts to be replaced to improve repairability, while also taking customisability into account”. Interestingly, round heritage-style headlights will be available in some markets.
Interestingly, the Land Cruiser FJ is based on a “refined” version of Toyota’s trusty IMV platform (which underpins the likes of the Hilux and Fortuner). However, this box-fresh 4WD measures a relatively compact 4 575 mm from nose to tail, making it 115 mm longer than the Corolla Cross but 40 mm shorter than the outgoing RAV4. The listed vehicle width is 1 855 mm, while the height is a considerable 1 960 mm.
The new FJ’s 2 580 mm wheelbase, meanwhile, is a full 270 mm shorter than that of the Prado, which the Japanese automaker claims will ensure “excellent manoeuvrability”. Furthermore, the brand says the 5-seater newcomer boasts wheel articulation “equivalent to [that of] the 70 Series” and “outstanding off-road performance worthy of a Land Cruiser”.
So, what’s under the bonnet? Well, so far Toyota has revealed basic details only for the Japanese-spec version. In its domestic market, the new Land Cruiser FJ will be available with the Aichi-based manufacturer’s long-in-the-tooth 2.7-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine (2TR-FE). Here, this naturally aspirated motor delivers 120 kW and 246 Nm to all 4 wheels via a 6-speed “Super ECT” (electronically controlled transmission).
Considering this ladder-frame platform effectively underpins the Hilux and Fortuner, it’s certainly not beyond the realm of possibility that Toyota could also eventually offer its 2.4- and 2.8-litre turbodiesel units in the new Thai-built FJ-badged model…
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ
Q: When is the new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ scheduled to launch?
A: The new model is officially scheduled to launch in Japan “around mid-2026.”
Q: What engine will the Japanese-spec model use?
A: The JDM-spec model will be available with Toyota’s long-in-the-tooth 2.7-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine (2TR-FE), which delivers 120 kW and 246 Nm of torque to all four wheels via a 6-speed “Super ECT” (electronically controlled transmission).
Q: Where does the new Land Cruiser FJ slot into the broader Land Cruiser SUV range?
A: The retro-styled newcomer effectively slots in at the foot of the broader Land Cruiser SUV range, positioned below the J250-series Prado, the evergreen Land Cruiser 70 Series, and the flagship Land Cruiser 300.
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