Exciting mini LandCruiser edging closer

More rumoured details have been revealed about Toyota’s FJ LandCruiser. 

Japanese newspaper Chukei News, from Toyota's hometown Nagoya, is now reporting the mini four-wheel drive will be built in Thailand and will be introduced to the Japanese market next year.

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The FJ LandCruiser would sit at the smaller end of Toyota’s SUV/4WD range, under the RAV4, featuring an angular, boxy shape.

With rumoured dimensions of roughly 4500mm long, 1830mm wide and 1850mm tall, it would sit in close proximity to the Corolla Cross or Hyundai’s Kona SUV.

Several engine options have been floated, including the 2.0-litre petrol engine available in the South-East Asian exclusive HiLux Champ. At this stage the larger four-cylinder 2.7-litre petrol engine seems likely according to reports.

The FJ LandCruiser is rumoured to inherit more of its 250 counterpart’s gear, such as the robust limited-slip-differential system. This coupled with a 210mm ground clearance would give it ample off-road capabilities to rival similar market alternatives.

To contrast, it won’t be built on the sturdy TNGA chassis underpinning the recent Prado and LandCruiser 300 Series, but the IMV-O version found on the HiLux Champ. 

This chassis set-up could be problematic in bringing the LandCruiser FJ across to Australia. If it follows a ute-to-SUV chassis transfer, as seen with Ford’s Ranger ute and Everest SUV, it probably won’t meet local design and safety regulations. 

With a reported early 2026 release date in Japan, it remains unclear whether this smaller LandCruiser will be offered in Australia, especially given potential approval issues. However, Australia is one of the countries Toyota has registered the ‘LandCruiser FJ’ trademark in.

Adding to the speculation, Toyota has submitted a patent to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), which includes an image of a potential production version for the FJ. This was originally filed in January 2024 before being published in March 2025.

The LandCruiser has proven a popular choice for Aussie buyers, with its wagon variant selling more than 1100 examples up to September 2025 - holding nearly 70 per cent of the large SUV market, excluding luxury options.