Toyota Unveils Land Cruiser FJ Prototype, Baby Land Cruiser Is Set To Hit Roads In 2026!

• Shares the same boxy design language with Land Cruiser Prado.

• Powered by a 2.7-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine making 163 PS and 246 Nm torque.

• Production version to launch in mid-2026 in Japan.

Ahead of the 2025 Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota has unveiled the Land Cruiser FJ Prototype, the entry-level SUV of the Land Cruiser range. Sitting below the Prado, this will be one of the smallest Land Cruisers ever. Yes, Land Cruisers, until now, are known for their big and brawny nature, but don’t discount this one as it carries the familiar tough and boxy styling with a retro-cool charm and a clever gearbox. Let’s take a look:

Exterior: Charismatic And Rugged

Starting off from the exterior, the Land Cruiser FJ prototype employs a squared off design to give it a tough personality and to maximise the cargo capacity and cabin space. At the front, you get rectangular headlamps (circular ones is an option) and a grille with the ‘Toyota’ motif instead of the logo usually seen. There is a chunky bumper as well which has been segmented into multiple parts for easier repairability, where individual damaged parts can be replaced instead of the entire bumper.

Moving on to the side profile, it gets flared fenders and thick cladding along with black alloy wheels for a rugged look. You’ll also notice that the wheels have been pushed to the extreme corners, which not only helps in better approach and departure angle, but also better cabin space. Toyota has also given it a very thick C-pillar, harking back to the iconic design of the older ‘FJ Cruiser’ SUV. 

At the rear, you get a tailgate-mounted spare wheel for that classic old-school SUV appearance along with a blacked-out square portion on the tailgate to go along with the retro theme. This is flanked on either side by vertical LED taillamps and a segmented bumper just like the front. 

A cool feature of the Land Cruiser FJ prototype is the add-on exterior customisations like round headlamps, MOLLE panels to mount outdoor equipment, snorkel and a roof luggage carrier.

Interior: Simple, Yet Modern

Inside the Land Cruiser FJ prototype lies a functional interior design.The simple dashboard layout with an all-black theme allows for easier cleaning and practicality. Taking the centre stage is a large touchscreen infotainment system along with a digital instrument cluster. You also get various storage spaces for knick-knacks with simple and round AC vents on either side. 

Other parts, such as the gear knob, 4x4 dial and AC controls are borrowed from other Toyotas making it feel familiar and easy-to-use. The production version of the Land Cruiser FJ prototype will be available with a 5-seater layout.

Features: Enough To Stay Relevant

In terms of the equipment, the Land Cruiser FJ prototype gets features such as the aforementioned touchscreen infotainment system, digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, electronically-adjustable outside rear view mirrors, steering-mounted controls and drive modes. 

In terms of safety, Toyota has revealed that it will get a Level 2 ADAS suite. It could also potentially have 7 airbags, electronic stability control, hill hold control and a 360 degree camera. Stay tuned to this space for more details as and when they are revealed.

Powertrain: Clever Gearbox

The Land Cruiser FJ prototype is powered by a 2.7-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine which comes mated to a unique 6-speed electronically controlled torque converter automatic transmission which uses advanced electronics to optimize gear shifts. It also gets part-time 4x4 capability. Here are the detailed specifications of this powertrain:

ECT= Electronically controlled torque converter transmission

Launch Date: Coming Very Soon!

While the Land Cruiser FJ prototype is a near-production concept, Toyota will launch the production version in mid-2026 for the Japanese market. For the Indian market, however, it is unlikely to make an entry soon. 

ZigSays…

The much-awaited baby Land Cruiser is finally here! And dare we say, it looks even better than we expected. As we eagerly wait for Toyota to reveal more details at the 2025 Tokyo Motor Show, all we can do is hope that Toyota brings it to India soon. The simplicity and the charm associated with the Land Cruiser nameplate is bound to make itself a unique option and will earn itself a large fan following quickly.

Would you like to see Toyota bringing the Land Cruiser FJ to India? Let us know in the comments below.