Toyota is developing a significant addition to its Land Cruiser lineup which now includes three tough SUVs. The company just unveiled a totally new Land Cruiser EV and hinted at a more compact, tougher SUV during the Land Cruiser Prado's launch party. Toyota recently registered the Land Cruiser FJ name as a trademark in Japan, and rumor has it that the "smaller rugged SUV" that is now under development will be known by that name.
- Toyota is planning to release a second Land Cruiser SUV.
- Land Cruiser FJ will be a widely used vehicle.
- reduced footprint and retro-inspired style cues
- FJ will return with the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ.
Since the FJ20 was introduced in 1955, Toyota has used the FJ suffix on the majority of its Land Cruiser versions and this mark has become famous. With the retro-styled "FJ Cruiser," which was offered from 2006 to 2022, Toyota last utilized the FJ moniker on an SUV.
The Land Cruiser FJ is expected to be a production model of the Toyota Compact Cruiser SUV concept, which was unveiled last year, and will likely continue to have retro-style design cues. With the exception of the C-shaped headlamp characteristic, the teaser image mimics the Compact Cruiser concept's upright, boxy appearance.
Toyota Land Cruiser FJ platform
It's still unclear what kind of platform this SUV would be placed on. At the moment, Toyota's SUV lineup is supported by two ladder-frame platforms. The Land Cruiser 300, Land Cruiser Prado, and pickups such as the new Tacoma are built on the more sophisticated TNGA-F architecture, while the Fortuner and the Hilux are built on the slightly older IMV architecture. Recently, Toyota unveiled the IMV 0 ladder-frame platform, which will initially be used for the Hilux Champ and will eventually be available in several body designs. In the upcoming months, more information about the Land Cruiser FJ should become available.