We’ve waited years for a smaller LandCruiser to be revealed and now that it has, the little off-roader has been ruled out for an Australian launch in its current form.
The Toyota LandCruiser FJ was revealed a week ago and made its public debut at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show.
Speaking to Australian media, Toyota Australia Vice President of Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley admitted the reason it’s not launching in Australia is due to its 2.7-litre petrol engine which only adheres to Euro 5 emissions regulations.
“The LandCruiser name in Australia would be very appealing, but the hardcore reality is we are facing in our country… variable regulations, new criterias, new vehicle efficiency standards,” said Hanley.
“We have to look very carefully at our product portfolio. What do we think we’re going to need? What are we going to sell in numbers? What do customers want and need?
“Customers need that bigger LandCruiser. Customers need that LandCruiser ute. Customers need that HiLux."
“So we’ve got to be very carefully planned on our product portfolio moving forward.”
Hanley also noted that the recently imposed New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) in Australia isn’t the reason why it’s not launching locally.
“It’s not about NVES, it’s just about regulations,” said Hanley.
“We’re moving to Euro 6 emissions standards. That’s the reality.”
The Australia Federal Government is set to enforce that all new vehicles sold from December 2025 must comply with Euro 6d emissions standards. This replaces the existing Euro 5 measures.
The LandCruiser FJ is powered by a 2.7-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that’s rated as a Euro 5 engine.
It also features in the entry-level versions of the current-generation HiLux ute.
Hanley said if the LandCruiser FJ’s engine was rated to Euro 6 standards, he would be considering it for an Australian launch.
“If it was Euro 6, I would reconsider it,” said Hanley.
“If it does turn out to be a Euro 6 engine, and if it does turn out to be that way, which it could … then that’s something we could re-examine.”
The Toyota LandCruiser FJ is built on the company’s IMV platform which already underpins the likes of the HiLux Champ ute that’s offered in South East Asia.
It measures in at 4575mm long, 1855mm wide, 1960mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2580mm, which is around the same size as a RAV4.
At this stage the LandCruiser FJ is set to launch in certain markets, including Japan, in 2026.