The wait for Toyota’s long-rumoured compact off-roader might finally be over. After months of speculation and shifting timelines, reports from Japan suggest that the new Land Cruiser FJ could make its
global debut next week. According to Japanese outlet Mag-X, Toyota will privately preview the SUV for select media on Monday, October 20, before unveiling it globally the next morning. Toyota hasn’t officially confirmed these details.
If true, the Land Cruiser FJ will be built in Thailand and exported globally, with a domestic Japanese launch planned for mid-2026. The SUV is expected to share its underpinnings with the Hilux Champ pickup, which is produced at the same Thai plant. This connection supports earlier speculation that Toyota is focusing on keeping the model affordable and rugged rather than chasing premium aspirations.
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As for what’s under the hood, the new FJ is expected to use the same naturally aspirated 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine found in the entry-level Hilux, producing around 163 hp and 245 Nm of torque. However, for international markets, particularly North America, Toyota may offer other options, including a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine or even a hybrid variant.
Dimensionally, the FJ will be smaller than the Corolla Cross, measuring around 171.3 inches in length, roughly five inches shorter. That makes it closer in size to the Ford Bronco Sport, one of its most direct rivals. Despite its compact footprint, it’s expected to retain the rugged, upright stance that made the original FJ Cruiser such a cult favourite.
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Platform details remain a mystery. Mag-X suggests the SUV could ride on Toyota’s IMV-0 ladder-frame platform, the same as the Hilux Champ. However, since this architecture doesn’t meet U.S. safety standards, a TNGA-F–based version (used by the Land Cruiser, Tacoma, and Tundra) seems more plausible for North America.
(Source: MaG-X)