Toyota has previewed the Land Cruiser FJ prototype in Japan, which looks like it could be one of the better compact off-road vehicles money can buy. But the odds of you using dollars (or euros) to purchase it are poor, as the manufacturer presently believes it’s better suited to markets other than our own.
Riding on the company’s IMV platform, this vehicle comes with a ladder frame and is technically part of the Hilux family. However, Toyota has opted to market it as the smallest entrant into the Land Cruiser hierarchy, going so far as to give it a name that references the original Land Cruiser J40 Series.
We’ve seen this recipe before with the previous FJ Cruiser (pictured above), which is now getting more appreciation from Toyota fans than when it was new. While the older FJ looks larger to the eye, the two FJs aren’t actually that far apart in their overall footprint. The slightly smaller Land Cruiser FJ comes with a wheelbase of 101.6 inches and an overall length of 180 inches with a 73.0-inch width. That makes it about the same size as a modern RAV4 with some extra headroom.
Its short wheelbase should make it capable on rough terrain and has allowed the prototype FJ to boast a turning radius of just 5.5 meters. That’s absolutely phenomenal and about half what you’d expect from the average compact car. While Toyota did this as part of its broader efforts to make the model better off-road, it’s bound to come in handy whilst parallel parking.
The only available motor we’re aware of is the 2.7-liter 2TR-FE inline four cylinder. That’s the same unit that powered the older Toyota Tacoma and currently goes into the Toyota Hilux, Hilux Champ, Land Cruiser Prado, and a bunch of other models Americans want but never seem to make it to our market.
On the Land Cruiser FJ, the unit sends an under-stressed 161 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque through a traditional six-speed automatic transmission that offers part-time four-wheel drive. With this in consideration, it won’t be a fast automobile. But that’s not the point and the fact that it forgoes hybridization or loads of electronic accessories help should keep the weight down and long-term reliability up.
The proportions of the SUV admittedly look a little off, resulting in something that resembles a handsomer Nissan Cube. But the Cube, despite being slightly unattractive and quite a bit smaller than the FJ, was a phenomenally functional little car held back by its CVT and fuel economy that could have been a little better. Still, it was probably one of the better cubist cars to come out of Japan — where they make a bit more sense as a daily driver.
Japan has been running with small, boxy vehicles for ages due to the nation’s narrow roadways and limited parking. While it may not be the most aesthetically pleasing shape, the box cabin is a good way to maximize interior volume without needing to enlarge the rest of the vehicle. This is why SUVs have maintained squarer designs and hatchbacks are ultimately more practical than sedans.
Unfortunately, the dimensions of the new FJ may ultimately keep availability limited to Asia, South America, and the Middle East. But this doesn’t appear to be because it’s too small to be marketable here. Our guess is that Toyota just doesn’t have any clue on how to export it effectively (assembly will be in Thailand) or is worried about the model cannibalizing sales of its larger off-road models.
That’s a shame because it seems like the exact kind of vehicle North America needs right now. Similar to the Hilux Champ — which North America also doesn’t seem to be getting — the FJ looks to be focused on affability, user serviceability, easy repairs, and modifying the SUV for off-road purposes.
Toyota has already shown off the model with some factory modifications between trims. These included gnarly tires, snorkel intake, upgraded roof rack, MOLLE panels for mounting gear, and a grille featuring rounded headlamps. The latter item is also something you can do with the larger Toyota Land Cruiser, proving that the manufacturer wants to signal to the world that the two models are indeed related.
It will absolutely look quite a bit better with the larger tires and we’re positive that’d be the first option (along with a lift kit) most shoppers will buy into. However, it’s not the looks that intrigue your author. The true appeal of a vehicle like this is that it should be affordable fun on the few days you want to take it off-road and ludicrously practical the rest of the time. It should also last for as long as you’re willing to maintain it since it’s bound to be extremely simple relative to just about everything else on our market.
That could make it the perfect vehicle for a households like mine. We already have fun cars and the beaters are getting very long in the tooth. It’ll soon be time to tap in another practical automobile, ideally something that can occasionally swallow up large objects, happens to be easy to work on, and is priced below the average midsize pickup. The fact that it can do some light off-roading and has easily replaceable body panels is just a bonus.
However, Toyota doesn’t have any inclination of the model doing business here. Chief Engineer Masaya Uchiyama recently told Automotive News that he just doesn’t see the Land Cruiser FJ working in the United States or Europe.
Considering the sizable tariffs on imported trucks and just how well things are already going for Toyota in North America, he could be right from a business perspective. There’s a good chance the model would step on the toes of the RAV4 and Corolla Cross. It may even convince people that wanted to splurge on a 4Runner to save some money. Emissions may likewise be a major obstacle.
But that doesn’t change the fact that there is a surplus of drivers in North America that desperately want something simple like the Hilux, or Hilux Champ and remain annoyed that they cannot have them. That will remain true when the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ launches in Japan in the middle of 2026.
“The Land Cruiser will continue to evolve to meet societal demands while supporting the lives of customers around the world and remaining a vehicle they can trust,” stated Toyota in its press release.
Statements like that almost feel like the brand is rubbing salt into the wound, especially when “customers around the world” fails to include you. Send some of that vehicular trust our way and support our lives, Toyota.
[Images: Toyota; luizsantanna/Shutterstock]
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