Toyota Land Cruiser FJ Bows As A Retro-Styled ‘Baby’ LC

At last, Toyota has taken the wraps off to fully unveil the new Land Cruiser FJ small-sized 4x4 SUV offering that leaked prior. Like the larger and popular but now discontinued FJ Cruiser, the FJ in this new model’s naming refers to ‘Freedom and Joy’.

Featuring a very rugged and squared ‘retro’ styling inspired by both the Land Cruiser Prado (250) and Hilux Champ (Hilux Rangga), we reckon this offering is poised to be a solid alternative to the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door, and perhaps thwart the rivalling GWM Tank 300.

Though it shares the same IMV bones as the Hilux Champ, the Land Cruiser FJ sits longer, much wider and taller. It now sits as the largest IMV-based product too.

Underneath, the new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ underpins the same IMV ladder frame bones as the Toyota Hilux Champ mini pick-up truck mentioned – not from the larger Hilux pick-up truck or its Fortuner SUV twin as previously reported.

However, the Land Cruiser FJ does sit longer at 4,575 MM, significantly wider at 1,855 MM, and somewhat taller at 1,960 MM. Shared though it’s the 2,580 MM wheelbase. In turn, this small 4x4 SUV now stands as the largest-sized model based of said IMV platform.

Not only ruggedly squared, the Land Cruiser FJ also rocks 'retro'-like touches, much like the latest-gen Land Cruiser Prado. There are even hints of the Hilux Champ all around.

Key design touches include an octagonal front ‘mask’ (grille), C-shaped LED DRLs, round headlamps, thick C-pillar, octagonal-shaped side-opening tailgate with spare tyre mounted on, not forgetting flared wheel arches, black body cladding and bumpers too.

On board, there’s a layered dash design with flat door inserts mirroring the Hilux Champ. Note the Land Cruiser Prado-inspired three-spoked steering wheel design, what appears to be the same 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, digital climate control, and flat gear lever.

Inside, it's similarly a mix of both the Land Cruiser Prado and Hilux Champ. Not the layered dash design and flat door insert panels too.

The Land Cruiser FJ also boasts boast a nifty MOLLE panels in its boot for off-grid adventures and camping use.

One notable addition is the tactical MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) panels for attaching outdoor equipment, handy for camping primed in the boot.

As for seat count, the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ is strict 5-seater with two-rows of seats only – no third-row row here like what you’ll find in the Fortuner. As for safety, the Land Cruiser FJ also boasts the Toyota Safety Sense ADAS suite that’s absent in the Hilux Champ.

Land Cruiser FJ with optional off-road accessories pictured. Under the hood, this tiny 4x4 shares the same 2.7-litre petrol heart as the Fortuner, and it boasts a 4x4 driveline too.

Shared with the Fortuner instead is the 2.7-litre naturally aspirated 4-cyl petrol mill plonked up front, as well as the 6-speed automatic box. The former has 163 hp and 246 Nm, whilst the latter is brimmed with a 4x4 driveline replete with low-range gears.

Take note, the shared Fortuner-derived powertrain detailed is specific to the Japanese market only for now. No word of a other options sharing the Hilux pick-up tuck’s turbo-diesel powertrain yet, but we won’t discount the possibility of which.

On board, this small 4x4 is strict five-seater with two rows of seats primed.

Given its IMV platform base, prior rumours indicated that Toyota could mass produce the Land Cruiser FJ in Thailand. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case with this initial Japanese market variant, which will be made in Japan and delivered starting mid-2026.

Should the rumoured Thailand-based production plan occur, it will mark the first time that any variant bearing the Land Cruiser nameplate is built and produced outside Japan. Critically, this could also mean availability across key markets in the ASEAN region - Malaysia included.

There are rumours that Toyota could mass-produce the Land Cruiser FJ in Thailand. Should this pan out, we could see it offered officially across ASEAN - Malaysia included.

Whilst Toyota has not yet confirmed which, the possibility remains. Should it be priced right, this could indeed rival strongly against the Suzuki and GWM models mentioned in our opening speculation.

Well, what do you folks think then? Should Toyota make said rumoured Thailand production a reality? Would you fancy the Land Cruiser FJ more over the potential rivals we mentioned? As always, hit the comments below with your take on things…