Toyota Land Cruiser FJ - Next Hot SUV Coming This Year

It is no secret that Toyota is developing an all-new SUV, which will be positioned below Fortuner. To be called the Land Cruiser FJ or FJ Cruiser, the new compact off-roader was scheduled to make global debut sometime in mid-2025. However, few reports reveal that the Land Cruiser FJ debut date has been pushed to the end of the year that's around September-December 2025. 

The Land Cruiser nameplate is known for its off-road credentials, and the same is expected with the new LC FJ. The new compact SUV is rumoured to be built on ladder-frame chassis. For people not in the know, the new off-roader made its first appearance in an official teaser released in 2023. The SUV was teased as the smallest Land Cruiser and will join the likes of the LC Prado and the LC 300. Further to it, Toyota trademarked the Land Cruiser FJ nameplate that sparks the speculation of returning of the iconic SUV.

Toyota Land Cruiser FJ - Retaining The Original Design

The teaser image reveals that the SUV will retain the original boxy design cues which was previewed with the 2021 Toyota Compact Cruiser EV concept. It will have the upright stance and modern LED accents, which makes it look bigger. The SUV will have a big ground clearance, off-road tires and a flatter rear profile with a tailgate mounted spare wheel.

The new Land Cruiser FJ is likely to measure around 4.5 meters in length, making it slightly larger than the Corolla Cross. In fact, the SUV will be sold in markets where Corolla Cross is not on sale. Media reports reveal that the FJ Cruiser will be 4500mm long, 1830mm wide and 1850mm tall, and a wheelbase of around 2750mm.

These info reveals that the Land Cruiser FJ will be significantly smaller than the Land Cruiser, measuring 4925mm in length. It will be a direct rival to the Ford Bronco Sport, which measures 4387mm in length.

Ladder-Frame or Monocoque SUV

It was speculated that Toyota will utilize the front-wheel-drive TNGA-C platform to develop the smaller FJ Cruiser; that's not happening. Toyota will be sticking with the ladder frame chassis to develop the new Land Cruiser FJ. 

Instead of the TNGA-F platform, the compact off-roader is most likely to be based on the IMV 0 architecture that underpins the Toyota Hilux Champ and Ranga Pickup. As a reminder, the LC 250 and LC 300 Series are based on the TNGA-F platform. In fact, the next-gen Fortuner is also expected to be based on the larger and expensive TNGA-F architecture.

The IMV 0 ladder-frame chassis is basically the low-cost version of the IMV architecture that underpins the Fortuner and Innova Crysta. The IMV 0 architecture will allow Toyota to offer the new Land Cruiser FJ at an affordable price tag. Toyota engineers will make certain changes to offer improved NVH levels with the new SUV when compared to the Hilux Champ.

The platform will support a 4WD system and is likely to get a Torsen limited-slip differential. This surely improves its overall performance on harsh terrains. 

Toyota Land Cruiser FJ - Engine Options

Speculations were on rife that the upcoming compact off-roader will come with both internal combustion and hybrid powertrains along with an electric derivative at a later stage. However, few reports reveal that the SUV won't receive a hybrid powertrain. We believe that the Land Cruiser FJ for select international markets including Japan and North America could be offered with a hybrid powertrain.

It is expected that the FJ Cruiser will be powered by a naturally aspirated 2.7-litre, 4-cylinder 2TR-FE petrol engine, which currently powers the Hilux Champ and EU-spec Land Cruiser Prado. This engine is capable of producing 161bhp and 246Nm of torque. It is paired to a 6-speed automatic gearbox, which sends power to all-4 wheels via Toyota's 4WD system. 

Other engine options could include a 169hp, 2.0L inline 4-cylinder engine, a 203hp, 2.5L four-cylinder engine, and a 2.5L 4-cylinder petrol-hybrid engine that produces 194hp. The plug-in hybrid version produces 220hp.

The Land Cruiser FJ could also arrive in India. It is expected to get the same 200bhp, 2.0L turbocharged diesel engine that powers the Fortuner. Moreover, Toyota could use 2.8L petrol-hybrid engine that powers the Innova Hycross.

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