Before I reveal everything, rewind the text — to invite you into a dream. Imagine an SUV that smells of desert winds, mud and freedom — but is small enough not to struggle with parking spaces. Toyota is expected to reveal this vision on October 20, 2025, when the new Land Cruiser FJ will see the light of day — a “baby off-road hero” that aims to combine nostalgia and reality. Let’s set the scene: frontal view, robust line, high stance, a “warning character” look. But what are the numbers that support this character? Let’s go half with reality, half with ambition.
Land Cruiser FJ 2026 is expected to be based on the IMV-0 framework platform, the same as the Toyota Hilux Champ. This means serious intent. It's not just another SUV with a chrome grille and rubber for city asphalt, but for a real construction with a “ladder-frame” design – which in translation means: a piece of iron that can survive more than one average leasing. The new FJ is said to be around 4.35 meters long, about 13 centimeters shorter than the Corolla Cross, which puts it somewhere between urban agility and off-road confidence. In terms of proportions, it should be closer to the Ford Bronco Sport, which is, frankly, an excellent starting point. The Japanese have left themselves some room for maneuver in terms of the market – which is wise, since the American safety bureaucracy is less enthusiastic about steel frames than Toyota itself.
Emotion + Mathematics: How Will This Car Breathe – Land Cruiser FJ
Design challenge — small but sturdy
The new generation is expected to be sized as the “little sister” of the Land Cruiser family — dimensionally somewhere between the Corolla Cross and the RAV4. According to insider reports, it is:
- Length: approximately 4.5 m (rumor has it that it is around 4,500 mm) or according to some sources as much as 1,713 in (~4.35 m).
- Width / Height: around 1,830 mm in width and slightly over 1,850 mm in height (can be even higher with roof equipment).
- Platform / structure: most likely ladder-frame, partly shared with the IMV-0 architecture used by the Hilux Champ. This is a signal: “I mean serious off-road”.
If that's true — this FJ will have the essence of an SUV in small form.
Under the hood: motoring dreams & possibilities
Main speculation: 2.7-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder — the same engine used by the Hilux Champ in some markets. Rumor has it that in the “Asian version” it would put out around 161 hp (120 kW / 163 PS) and approx. 246 Nm of torque (181 lb-ft) in 4WD. But — and it's an interesting "but" — for markets like the US or Europe, there are rumors that Toyota will include turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder or even a hybrid version, with a much higher power output to match the competition.
Let's not forget: In today's world of emissions, regulations and environmental responsibility, hybrid versions are anything but the exception — so even if the basic version remains "economy", expect "deluxe" models with different technology.
Under the hood, the most talked about thing right now is 2.7-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder, the same as the one in the Hilux. The engine develops around 163 horsepower (122 kW) and 245 Nm of torque, which isn't much, but enough to get the car across a river if you drive it with a little courage and the right gear. In Asian markets, this could be the basic choice, while a version with 2.4-liter turbo engine, which can develop up to 326 hp (243 kW) – which would give the FJ a lot more “tickling” when accelerating and, above all, a better reason to start the engine before you even finish your coffee. And since Toyota has been building its future on hybrids in recent years, it is not excluded that the FJ will also get a combination of gasoline and electricity, which would bring it better consumption and (ironically) some green reputation.
Design: for nostalgics and dreamers
Visually, something reminiscent of that old, boxy FJ is expected – wide fenders, bulging shoulder lines, an upright grille, a spare wheel on the rear door and a heaping measure of “retro power”. But this time with LED headlights, a slightly more refined cabin and, presumably, much more modern interior ergonomics. Toyota has been proving lately that it knows how to combine heritage with utility – see the new Land Cruiser 250 – and if the new FJ follows that recipe, it could become a real hit for those who like to get dirty in their free time, but still want to act civilized.
The FJ could drive into dealerships in the second half of 2026, which means that 2025 will be reserved for teasers, previews and a bunch of YouTube tests with the phrase “It’s finally here!” Toyota clearly sees an opportunity to recapture the hearts of adventurers who don’t want overpriced electric SUVs or oversized “pickups”. The new FJ is conceived as something you can easily drive into town, but at the same time park among the rocks without feeling like everything is going to collapse under you.
Will he fulfill his promise? Key questions
What I'm curious about (and I believe you are too): will the new FJ become more than just a "symbol"? Will it really be usable every day?
- If it is a ladder-frame structure, it will have to be gentle enough in cities (breathability, noise) and satisfy safety standards in Europe and the USA.
- If the power of the second version is too high or too complex, there is a risk that it will be “too hard” or expensive to maintain.
- Dimensions determine how much terrain it will actually cover — clearance, cornering, maneuverability… if it's too compact, it will lose out on true functionality.
- Price will be a key player: if Toyota sets a price too high for what the car actually offers, it will lose the “affordability threshold” that is often attractive with such legends.
If it will Toyota If it truly combines its legendary durability, small dimensions and that “spirit of adventure” that no electric crossover can replicate, then we’re in for something special. It won’t be the fastest, it won’t be the quietest, but it will almost certainly be the most honest – and that’s what we’ve been missing from the SUV world for a long time. The new FJ Cruiser could become just that: honest car at a time when everyone else is trying to be smarter than their drivers.
