Right on cue, Toyota has revealed the Land Cruiser FJ ahead of the Japan Mobility Show (JMS) at the end of the month. Built on the same Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle (IMV) platform as the Hilux pick-up, the entry-level off-roader is aimed at delivering the Land Cruiser experience to a new audience, with the “FJ” suffix – referencing the classic FJ40 and the retro FJ Cruiser – standing for “Freedom & Joy”.
Affordability starts by keeping the dimensions modest. The FJ’s scant 2,580 mm wheelbase means it takes the super-short ladder frame from the budget-friendly Hilux Champ, although it is slightly longer (4,575 mm) and much wider (1,855 mm) and taller (1,960 mm, making it the tallest of the IMV-based vehicles).
The chunky design inside and out also borrows a surprising amount of DNA from the Champ, albeit with a naturally higher level of refinement. This is most apparent in the octagonal front mask, which houses the Toyota script and C-shaped daytime running lights, with retro round lamps optional. The fascia is set within a chamfered section reminiscent of dice.
This motif continues in the distinctive rectangular body that features a stepped window line and thick C-shaped C-pillars, framing the also-octagonal side-opening tailgate housing the external spare tyre. Completing the look are the beefy black plastic fender flares and bumpers, the latter being split into sections and allowing only the damaged sections to be replaced – similar to the approach taken by the facelifted GR Yaris and Corolla.
Inside, the FJ’s layered dashboard and flat door panels are again reminiscent of those in the Champ, likely made using nicer materials. There are also bits of the Land Cruiser Prado in here, including the three-spoke steering wheel with an angular design, tomb-like display panel housing the touchscreen and digital instrument display (likely the same 12.3-inch units), digital air-con controls and newer, flatter gearlever.
Unlike the related Fortuner, the FJ is a strict five-seater; it also differs from the Champ in offering the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assists. The boot features US Army-style MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) panels for attaching outdoor equipment, handy for camping.
Adding to the FJ’s more cost-effective nature are the mechanicals, with the FJ lifting its simpler part-time four-wheel-drive system (replete with low range and a user-selectable knob) from the Hilux. The car also benefits from increased body rigidity and additional underfloor bracing to improve handling, and Toyota says it has undergone extensive off-road testing to ensure reliability, durability and performance. Wheel articulation is claimed to be on par with the hardcore Land Cruiser 70.
One area where the FJ disappoints is under the bonnet, where you’ll find the 2TR-FE 2.7 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine and six-speed automatic gearbox from the Fortuner, producing just 163 PS and 246 Nm of torque. This is specific to the Japanese market, however, and it’s possible that other markets will offer the Hilux’s more muscular turbodiesels.
Although Toyota will claim the FJ stands on its own in the marketplace, its most obvious rival is the five-door Suzuki Jimny; hopefully using the Hilux as the base means the FJ will be considerably cheaper. The car was likely also created as a response to the wave of Chinese SUVs entering ASEAN markets, many of which use the FJ40 Land Cruiser (and, by extension, the FJ Cruiser) as “creative inspiration”.
While the carmaker has not confirmed where the FJ will be built, its IMV underpinnings mean that, as previously reported, it will almost certainly be built in Thailand. This raises the possibility for it to be offered in Malaysia, which would make it the first LC to be made available through official means in decades – perhaps even CKD locally assembled on the same line as the Hilux. It will probably take a while, however, as even Japan will only get the car in mid-2026.
What do you think – would you like to see the Land Cruiser FJ in Malaysia? Sound off in the comments.
Toyota Land Cruiser FJ at the Japan Mobility Show 2025
Toyota Land Cruiser FJ official photos
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Bring it on!!
If they plonk in the hilux 2.4 or 2.8 turbo diesel then it will be interesting.
2.4 turbodiesel would be the best choice even though Diesel price is too expensive.
2.7 petrol is okay, but roadtax is RM 1160.
Pick your poison!
I’d say 2.4 turbodiesel would be the best engine option.
theoretically the camry hybrid engine 2.5 liter with 220bhp would be ideal for soft-roader. good fuel economy, reasonable road tax, reliable.
2.4 road tax also around 800… Monthly 60+ roadtax and monthly 100 road tax.. rm30+ different is poison? LMAO… spend more time finding money bruh if that bothering you…
CKD will sell like a hotcake
especially in Borneo where 4×4 is still preferred choice
This is cute!
I want one!
But with better engine…pls ckd it.
Well fortuner 2.7 litres engine not very popular here . Partly due high oil consumption. If this mini Land Cruiser priced near 200k. No way to sell here . Forget it , get a China 4×4 is wiser.
toyota malaysia, the ball is in your court. please, we don’t need yet another perodua rebadge ok. we want THIS.
Are u clueless? There is no Toyota Malaysia. It’s UMW under SimeDarby.
And Daihatsu only builds A&B segment cars for Toyota – which Perodua rebadges. This definitely won’t be under Daihatsu.
If P2 rebadge this with all the same techs and mechs , that would be good pricing wise and also P2 haven’t had a small off roader for decades since Kembara
Lovely though the cabin could have a little more colour added into it. Even the door cards have the same colour as the entire dashboard.
Freedom & Joy. My friend told me FJ meant something else.
With all the new cars and EVs which all looks the same (boring minimalist design), this FJ is refreshing.. Bring back the cheerful face..
I have contemplated getting the Suzuki Jimny 2 doors or the iCaur in 2026. But with this Toyota LC FC in the pipeline, I may have to wait for further news on its availability in Malaysia before making a decision.
Jimny and iCaur is RM100K plus. FJ will be around 400k range based on Japan’s inflation. You have the budget? Pay more but get less. iCaur is the best in the market at the moment. You pay 100k plus but get 400k plus quality car
This FJ will be built in Thailand. Estimated to be around Fortuner pricing. Would take this over China iCrap anyday.
pls bring it on to malaysia, don’t need show car, just open up booking via the web, without seeing the real car, this baby will sell like hotcake if price right. pls convey to toyota, bring them in soonest, don’t wait. best come with 2.4 turbo or 2.8 mild diesel hybrid. I already hv FJ for 8 years, and i want this baby FJ too, can’t wait.
toyota (malaysia) and ‘priced right’ is rarely written in the same sentence lol. but i get it…this car will sell if priced right but we KNOW that won’t happen based on their current offerings (250k for a camry? bffr).
This is going to be priced above the Toyota Fortuner and Hilux with the Land Cruiser badging.
I had a friend working in Chachoengsao production line where this car is coming from I will ask him for more information this weekend when he comes home
Why people even asking will this car come to malaysia officially? ofcuz not. AP yes
East Malaysian be like “take my money!”
East malaysia can accept 2.7NA instead of 4.0NA?
east malaysia loves anything that can go pure off road , plenty of Fortuner and old Suzuki , Daihatsu 4×4 still driven off road
soon chinamen will copy it bluntly
Nothing to copy. This FJ is old design and Chinese car now have better designs. iCaur looks way better anf Japanese can never beat the price war. Chinese are richer than Japanese and can sell at a loss or at cost for many decades until the Japanese surrender. Japanese cost of manufacturing is way too high because they don’t have A to Z supply chain like China and they can’t buy cheap Russian gas.Only low IQ people will pay more to get less. Lowest IQ people are the ones that are poor but talk like they can afford to support imperialist Japan online. Lol
Balik tongsan la, stupid wumao. Nobody wants your CCP iCrap.
Yes but what price. Probably end up every model here sold is the recon version like jimny
Really hope they can offer the base 2.0L manual CKD variant in Malaysia with competitive price. I would buy jn a heartbeat.
Wt the fortuner 2.7 liter NA petrol….ni very underpowered engine and a fuel guzzler! Tekan sambil berdiri pun jenuh nak gerak!! hiaya! why this engine? just plonk the hilux/fortuner 2.4 or 2.8 diesel lah baru best off roading
price it well maybe around the Corolla Cross or Hilux you will see Malaysian buy it like hot cake especially Sabah & Sarawak consumers. Borneo people still prefer 4X4 anyways and it’s been awhile since there is a baby off roader in this market. Jimny is too expensive, Kembara was underpowered.
Is it only me that is turn off by the hand brake?
Cannot be that a 2025 designed car that could be above 200k still have the old school tarik handbrake.
Most popular car in the world everyone wants to buy even before it’s out Thailand will be working around the clock for how many years who knows to meet world demand
The price will like crv top spec so between crv and this which for the same money good luck crv you gonna need it
Is this a rebodied Toyota Fortuner ??