Toyota’s Legendary FJ Cruiser Officially Returns. But Is It What Fans Wanted?

It’s also not exactly, as one would say, easy on the eyes. But thankfully, it’s geared only for Asian markets.

Front side view of a beige and black Toyota Land Cruiser with a roof rack and rugged design.

Published 3 hours ago

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Toyota just pulled the wraps off its hotly anticipated Land Cruiser “FJ” ahead of its official debut at the Tokyo Motor Show. However, it’s not quite as expected. Nor is it likely what some fans wanted.

Over the past several months, rumors began swirling and gaining traction about a revival of the iconic FJ Cruiser. Built from 2006 to 2014 (well, 2022 for the Middle East market), the original FJ Cruiser became a cult classic among four-wheeling and Toyota truck fans alike.

It was essentially the automaker’s direct answer to the Jeep Wrangler. After discontinuing the SUV in 2014, Toyota has yet to follow it up with a second act for a dedicated off-roader, to many fans’ disappointment.

This new FJ had the potential to deliver. But sadly (or rather, thankfully), it’s not for us.

The Land Cruiser FJ is a mini-me variant for Asian markets

Man standing between two Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs, one green and one blue, with a small electric scooter in front of the blue SUV. — The Land Cruiser FJ debuted ahead of its official reveal in Tokyo.

Instead of being a global new product, Toyota created the Land Cruiser FJ specifically for Japanese and other Asian markets. Although appearing like a stubby, shrunken-down Land Cruiser Prado, it’s not as small as it looks.

According to its spec sheet, the Land Cruiser FJ is actually roughly the same size as a five-door Jeep Wrangler. It’s just as tall and wide, but only eight inches shorter in length.

Blue Toyota Land Cruiser SUV with black wheels next to a beige Toyota Land Cruiser in a dark setting. — The Land Cruiser FJ’s styling makes it appear a lot smaller than it really is.

It also uses Toyota’s IMV ladder-frame truck-based platform, which underpins a wide range of the automaker’s Asia, South American and European market trucks. And it even gets the same naturally-aspirated 2.7-liter “2TR-FT” gasoline inline four as many of those specific trucks.

Light blue Toyota Land Cruiser SUV with black trim and spare tire on rugged terrain under a partly cloudy sky. — The Land Cruiser FJ is a baby off-roader for the rest of the world.

The Land Cruiser FJ also has all the design elements expected from a purpose-built off-roader. Such includes excellent outward visibility, short front and rear overhangs for elevated approach and departure angles, ground clearance, and wide axle tracks.

It might not exactly be what we were hoping for. But it’s exactly what the rest of the world needs. Especially in less developed and more size-challenged parts of the planet.

Its smaller size is also favored in these regions where roads aren’t as developed. And in small island countries, such as Japan, where the culture manifested a whole genre of automobiles purposely built for the country’s narrow streets (Kei cars), having a vehicle with a micro footprint is functionally appreciated.

Beige and black off-road SUV with roof rack, snorkel, and spare tire mounted on the rear door. — The Land Cruiser FJ helps to keep Toyota’s love of four-by-fours alive.

Although considerably smaller when compared to the Land Cruiser Prado or the full-size Land Cruiser, being similar in size to a five-door Wrangler is still on the larger side of what’s normally common in the Japanese Domestic Market.

Not the FJ we wanted or expected, but that’s okay, we still might get one

Dark blue Toyota SUV kicking up dust while driving on a rugged dirt trail in a rocky desert landscape. — The original FJ Cruiser left an indelible mark on off-roading enthusiasts.

The fact that this Land Cruiser FJ isn’t what we were hoping for is, for lack of better terms, a bit of a disappointment. However, despite not being as expected, there’s still an upside.

Two front-facing Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs, one light blue and one beige with a snorkel and roof rack, on a white background. — The Land Cruiser FJ has what it takes to live up to the name, just not in America.

And that is the fact that Toyota is sticking to its tradition and maintaining its reputation for building stellar purpose-built off-roaders.

Four-by-fours are as much of a Toyota staple as fast, road-hugging sports cars are to Porsche. If Toyota suddenly gave up or showed signs of slowing its commitment to off-roaders, the automotive world would likely bust out the pitchforks and axes in great protest.

Black and gray Toyota vehicle interior with digital dashboard, touchscreen navigation, and leather seats. — The Land Cruiser FJ is basically a mini-me version of the Prado and full-size variant.

However, it’s crucial to remember that Toyota builds and engineers specifically according to their respective markets. This market-driven approach is what allows them to maximize their product execution in a specific region.

The Toyotas we get have always been different from the ones Japan gets

For Asian markets, the new Land Cruiser FJ is exactly what buyers require for their specific needs. For the North American market, Toyota has an entirely separate operation that considers what we Yankees want from the brand.

the toyota land cruiser rox concept suv in the desert — There’s still a chance for a US-market-specific FJ.

Thankfully, Toyota Motor North America knows how beloved and desired its trucks are. That’s on top of the fact that SUVs and trucks are the top-selling vehicles here in United States of America.

It’s the same reasons why there are TRD Pro versions of the Tacoma, 4Runner, Tundra and even the family-focused Sequoia. And they even went further with the top-spec Trailhunter.

Toyota Tacoma truck — Toyota’s been betting on its special off-road variants of the Tacoma and 4Runner to fill the gap left behind by the previous FJ Cruiser.

Toyota previously said they know there’s a demand for the FJ Cruiser. They’ve just been betting on the off-road-spec’d variants of the 4Runner and Tacoma to fill the role of the ‘ol, original FJ Cruiser.

That might be grand and all. But what America wants to see is a Toyota truck that can genuinely go head-to-head with the Jeep Wrangler and the Ford Bronco. We can only hope and cross our fingers and toes.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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