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Toyota just added a fourth Land Cruiser, and it is the smallest one yet. The FJ slots in under the 250, 300 and 70 Series, and it might be the most interesting of the lot.

A Smaller Land Cruiser, On Purpose

The FJ went on sale in Japan on May 14. It is built on a shortened ladder-frame platform, the proper body-on-frame stuff, not a soft crossover setup.

At 4,575 mm long it is 350 mm shorter than the 250 Series and 125 mm narrower, riding a wheelbase 270 mm shorter. That drops the turning circle to just 5.5 m, which makes a real difference on a tight trail or a city street.

Old-School Where It Counts

Under the bonnet sits a 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol making 120 kW and 246 Nm, paired with a six-speed auto. No hybrid, no turbo, just simple and durable.

It keeps a part-time 4WD system, an electric rear diff lock, Downhill Assist and Hill Start Assist. Toyota says ground clearance and approach angles match the 250, with wheel articulation closer to the rugged 70 Series.

Suspension is a high-mount double wishbone up front and a four-link rigid axle at the rear. It is set up to cope off-road without punishing you on the daily commute.

Square, Boxy, and Proud of It

The design leans hard into the classic Land Cruiser box, with a dice motif, U-shaped lights and a rear-mounted spare. The corner bumpers are segmented, so a trail scrape means replacing one piece, not the whole bar.

Roof rails, side steps and a front skid plate are standard. Inside there is a 12.3-inch display, Toyota Safety Sense, a panoramic camera and 795 litres of boot space behind the second row.

The Weird Little Bonus

Toyota also teased the Land Hopper, a foldable electric trail scooter that stores in the FJ's boot. It launches from spring 2027 and rides where even a Land Cruiser cannot.

Should You Want One?

The badge carries weight. Land Cruiser has sold about 12.4 million units across more than 190 countries, and Toyota is betting a smaller, cheaper version widens that net further.

Pricing in Japan starts at 4.5 million yen, and it is built in Thailand. There is even a KINTO subscription from 38,390 yen a month, with five solid colours including Smoky Blue and Oxide Bronze.

A global rollout is not confirmed, but the appetite for a smaller, honest Land Cruiser is obvious. If it travels, this could be the one a lot of people actually need.

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The Land Cruiser FJ Nobody Saw Coming