Three years after dropping the original FJ Cruiser, Toyota signaled it’s heading back to production, this time dubbed the Land Cruiser FJ. A smaller version of the Land Cruiser that staged its own return in 2024 after a three-year absence, the new off-roader will make its debut at the Japan Mobility Show next week. Here’s more from Headlight.News.
Toyota has a downsized version of the big Land Cruiser in the works and it confirms long-standing rumors that the Japanese automaker would bring the once-popular FJ Cruiser back to th market.
Set to debut at the Japan Mobility Show, Toyota released an assortment of images – albeit with minimal specifications – of what we can expect to see in Tokyo next week. Though officially described as a concept, the show car is expected to undergo only modest tweaks by the time it actually goes into production.
The big question, of course, is not just when it will roll out but whether it will make it to the U.S.
What’s new
The original retro-styled Cruiser made its debut in 2003 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, then went into production for the 2006 model-year. Built by Toyota’s Hino Motors subsidiary, it was dropped in 2022.
The new FJ is being positioned as a “baby” Land Cruiser, and comes in nearly a foot shorter, at 180.1 inches in length, with a 101.6-inch wheelbase. It stands 73.0 inches in height and has a width of 77.2 inches. That’s about 3.5 inches shorter than the old FJ Cruiser, though old and new models are all but spot on when it comes to their other dimensions.
Land Cruiser FJ will share platforms with Toyota’s Hilux Champ pickup and is expected to continue being produced in Japan. The show car version also shares th same 2.7-liter inline-four gas engine found in the Hilux, making 161 hp and 181 pound-feet of torque.
New look
At first glance, Land Cruiser FJ bears a striking similarity to the old FJ Cruiser. But there are more differences than a casual glance might suggest.
The new model has a lot in common with the bigger Land Cruiser; it’s boxier and more upright, with a bit more of a greenhouse. Add details such as its round headlights and rear-mounted spare tire. Toyota’s images also show a version of the new FJ with a snorkel in place, giving the SUV extended capabilities when it comes to fording water.
The images – which show a right-hand-drive version of the new FJ – include some shots of the cabin. It’s all business on the driver’s side, with an extra-large touchscreen and digital gauge cluster, along with an assortment of large knobs and other controls on the center console and instrument panel. We expect to see the production model outfitted with terrain management controls and other features meant to enhance its off-road capabilities.
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Modular design
Toyota says the bumpers on the new FJ are modular, allowing them to be easily removed and, if necessary, replaced.
Expect to see a number of accessories offered, including a front-mounted winch. MOLLE panels – already offered on the Lunar Cruiser concept – are designed to offer extreme levels of flexibility, especially for those who might use the Land Cruiser FJ for an adventurous lifestyle.
As for availability, the production version of the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ is expected to launch by mid-2026. We’ll have to wait for more details, including pricing.
As for the obvious question: if you live in the U.S., don’t hold your breath. “There are no plans for America or Europe,” chief engineer Masaya Uchiyama, told Automotive News. That said, with enough interest expressive by U.S. motorists, perhaps Toyota will rethink the potential business case.
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