The Toyota LandCruiser FJ has been revealed as a baby version of the Japanese auto giant’s legendary LandCruiser to take on the popular Suzuki Jimny and Renault Duster, and featuring exterior design elements from the FJ Cruiser large off-road SUV sold in Australia between 2011 and 2016.
Previewed as far back as 2022 by the Toyota Compact Cruiser EV concept and leaked in patent images unearthed in June this year, the all-new compact five-door SUV is powered by a 2.7-litre petrol engine, and fitted with a part-time four-wheel drive system.
But despite being confirmed for production from 2026 in Thailand, where the closely related Toyota HiLux ute is produced for ours and other markets, Toyota Australia told CarExpert the new ‘baby’ LandCruiser is not locked in for a local launch.
“Toyota Australia continuously explores opportunities to evolve our vehicle line-up, however, we have no current plans to introduce the LandCruiser FJ to our market,” said the company in a statement.
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The lack of hybrid or diesel powertrain options are likely reasons for the LandCruiser FJ not coming to Australia.
The only engine confirmed so far for Toyota’s new compact off-roader is the familiar 2TR-FE petrol four, producing 120kW of power and 246Nm of torque, and matched as standard with a six-speed automatic transmission.
It’s the same engine that powers both the entry-level HiLux Workmate in Australia and the LandCruiser/Prado in the US. Australia’s Prado is currently available only with a four-cylinder 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine.
According to Automotive News, there are no plans to electrify the new FJ, meaning it is likely to remain a petrol-only model for the foreseeable future.
Full details have yet to be shared, but Toyota did confirm the lil’ LandCruiser is based on a shortened version of the IMV ladder-frame platform that has underpinned several generations of the HiLux, including the upcoming version.
However, it has a much shorter 2600m wheelbase (the HiLux has a 3085mm wheelbase) and measures only 4575mm long overall, as well as 1855mm wide and 1960mm high, making it closer in size to the RAV4 mid-size SUV than the Corolla Cross small SUV.
The body features rugged, squared-off styling and wheel-arch extensions, as well as a tailgate-mounted spare wheel and side steps.
The front and rear bumpers can also be removed in segments to allow for cheaper, easier and faster repairs for off-road damage, while a range of off-road accessories was also revealed as part of the new model’s unveiling.
Ground clearance is yet to be revealed, but Toyota said the diminutive new FJ has a tight turning circle of 11 metres, which compares to 11.4m for the existing five-door Suzuki Jimny XL.
It also claimed the FJ has wheel articulation to match the legendary LandCruiser 70 Series – which is currently on a ‘production pause’ – and, while it mentioned approach and departure angles, did not supply figures for them.
The cabin follows the LandCrusier Prado theme, with a square-centred steering wheel and a low-set dashboard featuring a large central infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument cluster.
The previous FJ Cruiser attracted somewhat of a cult following in Australia and around the world, and the baby FJ is designed to steal sales from the Jimny, which is Suzuki Australia’s best-selling model.
Toyota Australia is set to introduce the first hybrid version of its LandCruiser 300 Series in 2026 as it looks to add hybrid powertrains to its off-road SUVs, after making its passenger car range hybrid-only in mid-2024.
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