Meet the All-New Land Cruiser FJ, a Compact Off-Road Rebel

Toyota just pulled the wraps off the all-new Land Cruiser FJ, and it’s exactly what the off-road faithful have been waiting for – a rugged, no-nonsense, back-to-basics 4×4 that channels the brand’s legendary spirit while adding just enough modern flair to make it relevant for a new generation.

For over 70 years, the Toyota Land Cruiser has been the undisputed heavyweight champion of the off-road world. Born in 1951 as the Toyota BJ, its first legendary feat was becoming the first vehicle to conquer the sixth station of Mount Fuji. Since then, it has forged a reputation across more than 190 countries as the vehicle that will get you anywhere and, more importantly, bring you back safely. With a staggering 12.15 million units sold, its legacy is built on three pillars: the flagship, tech-forward 300 Series station wagon; the indestructible 70 Series workhorse; and the back-to-basics 250 Series.

Now, Toyota is tearing a page from its own history book. In a world premiere from Toyota City, Japan, the company has pulled the covers off a radical new addition to the dynasty: the Land Cruiser FJ. This isn’t just another Land Cruiser; it’s a re-imagining of what the nameplate can be.

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Freedom, Joy, and a Smaller Footprint

The Land Cruiser FJ is Toyota’s answer to a question many have been asking: Can the Land Cruiser’s legendary capability be distilled into a more compact, agile, and accessible package?. The FJ is a direct result of the “return to origins” philosophy that spawned the 250 Series, aiming to bring the core Land Cruiser values of reliability, durability, and off-road performance to a wider audience. The goal, as Toyota puts it, is to deliver “Freedom & Joy”

Exterior Design: A Modern Dice in a Classic Box

The FJ’s styling is a masterful blend of heritage and modernity. Its silhouette is unapologetically boxy, prioritizing the cabin space and cargo capacity that have been Land Cruiser hallmarks for generations. The designers embraced a “dice motif” with chamfered edges, giving the rectangular body a lean, powerful stance that looks both tough and fun.

But the cleverness is in the details. The powerful front and rear corner bumpers are segmented and removable. Scrape a corner on a tight trail? You only need to replace the damaged section, a boon for both repairability and customizability.

Interior: Simple, Honest, and Built for the Trail

Step inside and you’ll find a cabin that feels refreshingly straightforward. The horizontal dash layout is designed for quick visual scanning and easy reach. The low cowl and beltline improve visibility on tricky terrain, while large, physical controls make sense for gloved hands and muddy fingers.

Toyota’s Safety Sense suite adds a layer of modern protection, featuring an advanced Pre-Collision System and driver assists tuned for both road and trail. It’s not luxury-laden like a 300 Series, but that’s not the goal. This cockpit is about connection, not distraction – the kind of place where you feel part of the drive, not a passenger in a digital lounge.

Under the Skin: Compact, Capable, and Unstoppable

This is where the FJ earns its badge. While it may be smaller, Toyota insists it has the soul of a true Land Cruiser. The FJ utilizes a platform refined from the IMV series and boasts a critical specification: wheel articulation equivalent to the legendary 70 Series. This means the FJ’s ability to keep its tires on the ground over punishing terrain is on par with its most utilitarian sibling.

Its compact dimensions are its superpower. With a wheelbase of 2,580 mm—a full 270 mm shorter than the 250 Series—the FJ promises exceptional maneuverability. Its minimum turning radius is a nimble 5.5 meters, making it as adept at navigating tight city streets as it is tight forest trails. To ensure it handles with stability, Toyota has added braces under the floor to increase body rigidity.

Under the hood lies the proven 2TR-FE 2.7-liter gasoline engine, mated to a 6 Super ECT transmission and a part-time 4WD system. It produces 120 kW (163 PS) and 246 N·m of torque—modest figures that prioritize reliability and usability in a vehicle that has been extensively tested off-road to ensure it lives up to the name.

Customization: Make It Yours

Toyota knows that part of the “Freedom & Joy” is personalization. The FJ will launch with a suite of options designed to expand the joy of customization. These include retro-cool round headlights that call back to previous Land Cruiser generations and MOLLE panels for attaching outdoor gear, offering versatile cargo solutions.

In a surprising twist, Toyota also revealed the development of the Land Hopper, an electric personal mobility vehicle designed to be stored in the FJ’s luggage area. This allows users to venture even further than the car can take them, expanding the scope of adventure at their destination.

The Land Cruiser FJ is a bold, exciting new chapter for an automotive icon. It promises to deliver the core tenets of the brand in a package that is more agile, more customizable, and more approachable than ever before.

Beyond the FJ: Toyota’s Next Mobility Chapter

Alongside the Land Cruiser FJ, Toyota teased something unexpected – the Land Hopper, an electric personal mobility device that fits in the back of the FJ. Think of it as a portable adventure buddy: ride it down mountain trails or through campsites where even a 4×4 can’t go. It’s Toyota’s way of extending the off-road experience beyond the car itself.

The new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ isn’t about luxury or status – it’s about reconnecting with adventure. In a world obsessed with electrification and automation, the FJ stands out as something gloriously mechanical, something that begs to get dirty.

It’s the kind of vehicle that makes you want to take the long way home, just to see where that gravel trail leads.

Toyota didn’t just bring back the Land Cruiser’s past – it reimagined its soul for the future.

Land Cruiser FJ Main Specifications (Prototype)