The Toyota Land Cruiser FJ will be launching in Thailand at the end of March. According to Autolife, the smallest Land Cruiser will be subject to the PPV tax structure for truck-based SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner. The FJ – which stands for ‘Freedom & Joy’ – will be made in Thailand and exports to Japan will start in mid-2026.
Built on the same IMV0 body-on-frame platform as the Hilux Champ, the five-seater FJ has odd proportions. At 4,575 mm long, it’s 115 mm longer than the Corolla Cross, and the LC is 30 mm wider too. However, the 2,580 mm wheelbase is 60 mm shorter than the Cross.
The most unusual dimension is height – the FJ’s 1,960 mm is a whopping 340 mm taller than the Cross, and is even 125 mm taller than the much larger Fortuner. We’ve seen it in the metal and can’t think of any other car with such proportions.
Design highlights include a grille with the Toyota script and C-shaped daytime running lights, with retro-style round lamps optional. On the side, there’s a stepped window line and very thick C-shaped C-pillars, which cradle the octagonal side-opening tailgate that houses a spare tyre. The black bumpers and body cladding are very beefy.
The dashboard follows the chunky theme, and there are bits of the Land Cruiser 250 in here, including the angular design three-spoke steering wheel, 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. The boot features US Army-style MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) panels for attaching outdoor equipment, handy for camping.
Another thing you might find unusual in today’s landscape is the FJ’s 2.7-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. The 2TR-FE petrol unit with 163 PS/246 Nm is paired to a six-speed conventional automatic transmission. When you consider that the Fortuner has this powertrain combo, and the larger Land Cruiser 250 also gets a 2.7L NA engine in Japan, perhaps it’ll be adequate for the FJ? No turbodiesel for now.
A Land Cruiser has to be capable off-road, so this baby LC can’t just look the part. The FJ’s simpler part-time four-wheel-drive system with low range and a user-selectable knob is from the Hilux. It also benefits from increased body rigidity and additional underfloor bracing to improve handling, and Toyota says that the FJ has undergone extensive off-road testing to ensure reliability, durability and performance. Wheel articulation is claimed to be on par with the old-school but still alive Land Cruiser 70.
Do you want to see the Land Cruiser FJ in Malaysia? With the Suzuki Jimny gaining popularity here as an urban lifestyle car with plenty of modification/dress-up potential (I see many driven by ladies too), will the FJ be popular with the same crowd and the camping enthusiasts? The serious off-road types might stick with their old 4x4s or pay much less for a pick-up truck, though. Certainly something interesting for UMW Toyota Motor to consider.
GALLERY: Toyota Land Cruiser FJ at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show
GALLERY: Toyota Land Cruiser FJ official images
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RM150k in Malaysia? sure beli
1960mm height has discouraged it’s agility, forest trekking and off grid roof camp and cargo use,
Why shaped it taller than Hyundai Starex?
That’s a strong wind resistance for more wind noise, less efficient forward with more body weight instead of strength?
A 2.7L Hiace van engine is the elephant in the room too?
neighbour thailand look with envy at malaysian cheap budi95 petrol , so this was thanks to which DSAI and which madani?
Wumaos bombarding this comments section with their “my iCrap v23 better” spam in 3… 2… 1…
you indirectly admitted it yourself,this toyota has many faults. , 2.7 NA engine is thirsty and expensive roadtax. also the height is too tall .
Your China car got zero pedigree la. Warranty they never honour also. End of the day, old car can only sell tongsan funded suratkhabar lama uncle.
are you a japanese car salesman worried about losing your ricebowl in the face of china car onslaught. kesian.
Why 2.7 NA and not 2.0 turbo ? More power and better fuel economy. Cheaper road tax is also a bonus.
Assembled in thailand, zero import tax under AFTA. Right? Bring it in.
i want to be delulu by believing toyota will bring this into malaysia but let’s be real, they aren’t even bringing in the rav4 which would have a larger market base here so…that and they are so focused on selling rebadged peroduas so yeah no lol
Bring them in! The round headlights one.
very nice but 2.7 engine in malaysia is a nail in the coffin