RE: Baby Land Cruiser revealed as new 'FJ'
RE: Baby Land Cruiser revealed as new 'FJ'
Monday 20th October

Baby Land Cruiser revealed as new 'FJ'

Like the idea of a Land Cruiser but don't need all that space? Toyota has just the thing...


Despite its obvious shortcomings, we rather like the current Land Cruiser - specifically the 250 variant that Toyota currently sells in the UK. A ‘simple, sturdy vehicle that helps fulfil customers' lifestyle choices and practical needs’ is how its maker describes the model (distinct from the ritzier 300 and workhorse-y 70 Series not available here), and that does rather cover it. It is very much like the Defender that Land Rover might have built if it were actually replacing the old Defender, rather than giving the majority of people the upmarket SUV they wanted. No surprise then that it appeals to the lively minority who were partial to the original. 

Sensing that it’s onto something - and doubtless buoyed by the response to the 250 - Toyota has forged ahead with plans to broaden the Land Cruiser range even further by introducing this, the FJ. Those letters apparently signify the value of “Freedom & Joy” that the car is meant to convey - but let’s gloss over that and focus on the fact that this is effectively a 250 but with a 270mm shorter wheelbase. Current owners of the full-sized car might scoff at the reduction in usable space that requires, though it’s not hard to see why Japanese users might favour a Land Cruiser that is 4.5 metres long rather than nearly 5. A friend to tiny streets and car parks, the 250 is not. 

We mention the JDM specifically because that’s where the FJ will be exclusively sold when it launches next year. Accordingly, it is powered by a 2.7-litre four-pot with 160hp and 181lb ft of torque via a six-speed automatic. If that sounds about as well-suited to European tastes as an Ikizukuri starter, then you’re not wrong: Toyota has not confirmed which other markets the new model will be made available in, and it’ll likely require hybridisation (much as the 250 is introducing) if it does launch here. But there’s every reason to think it might, based on the proven appetite for compact SUVs and its maker’s ambitions for the Land Cruiser brand. 

To that end, all the right claims are made on paper: the FJ is said to be just as capable as its big brother off-road, with all the advantages of a 5.5m turning circle, and features segmented bumpers front and rear that are not only removable for easy repair, but also permit customisation. There will also be MOLLE panels for attaching outdoor equipment to, and even something called a Land Hopper (basically a fold-out electric bike, should Toyota continue with its development) for you to continue your journey in whiny silence. If that all sounds ideal for your active lifestyle, we’d recommend lobbying your local dealer. Certainly, the manufacturer appears to be listening


Author
Discussion

RedLightGreenLight

Original Poster:

41 posts

42 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
Wow that looks cool! I am praying they will make it available over here in the UK with a sensible price, good engine combination. It looks amazing and will sell like hotcakes.

I will certainly be signing up if they do


pbe624

206 posts

153 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
A Dacia Duster rival at probably double the price... but interesting proposition nevertheless.

RandomCarChat

1,061 posts

65 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
Love that, really hope they come to the uk.

Richard-390a0

3,072 posts

109 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
I like the Tonka Toy look & it has buttons on the dash too!!!

WH16

7,553 posts

236 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
I like the idea, but it looks a bit 'over-styled' for my tastes. Make it more like a slightly bigger Jimny and I'd have one in a flash.

oddman

3,442 posts

270 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
Green one with round headlights please

I would guess, given the success of the big one and the latest Jimny, they could sell every one they imported.

It would be over £50k though wouldn't it?

There's a me shaped niche for a smaller but capable truck. A 3/4 or 7/8 scale Hilux would be perfect for my needs.

Krikkit

27,600 posts

199 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
I assume that engine will be a 2.7 NA petrol?

j555

162 posts

246 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
WH16 said:
I like the idea, but it looks a bit 'over-styled' for my tastes. Make it more like a slightly bigger Jimny and I'd have one in a flash.
Agreed. I think the previous FJ was a more clean and simple design, but sadly never came to the UK

Bill

56,388 posts

273 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
Ace! Although the rear end is a bit Space Odyssey living pod.

jhonn

1,640 posts

167 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
Its proportions look...odd; under-wheeled and tyred, front waaay too long compared to the rear and it looks too tall relative to its width. It reminds me of the old Nissan Terrano.

Will probably be a great vehicle though and be in high demand - it's good that Toyota are expanding the range.

wombleh

2,190 posts

140 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
i quite like that, can't imagine it'll be anywhere near my price range though !

newbie101

49 posts

128 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
This is not “effectively a shorter 250”. This is built on the Hilux/Fortuner platform which is a different platform. The fortuner is a low cost suv for Asia markets and the hilux is hardly known for driving dynamics so I’d say that nuance matters quite a bit.

Slowlygettingit

825 posts

59 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
That is so ugly. And not in a good way.

Loafers92

118 posts

82 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
2.7 liter engine means it’s most likely dead on arrival in most eu markets that tax “big” engines like these, even if hybrid. I reckon it would’ve sold well if the engine was under 2 liters and hybrid

Edgey1

36 posts

48 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
Once upon a time car journos were so critical of the blind spot created by a wide 'C' pillar, I'm thinking days of the Allegro Princess etc. Now they wouldn't even bat an eyelid at this!

valiant

12,692 posts

178 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
Now that is right up my street.

Love the new Land Cruiser but far too big for my needs and uber expensive to boot. This looks ace and a good size.

That engine may be a bit Co2 unfriendly so could get expensive and I hope Toyota don’t make it stupidly expensive just because.


Water Fairy

6,255 posts

173 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
Toyota knocking it out of the park atm

I like that very much but would want more grunt personally

Agree the 2.7 engine will probably be an issue if sold here

nismo48

5,684 posts

225 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
pbe624 said:
A Dacia Duster rival at probably double the price... but interesting proposition nevertheless.
Can see where you are coming from...

4000ccV8

14 posts

97 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
Yesssss! Would love a `jimny but towing capacity is too low for my touring caravan even though it’s only 1100 weight so this might just fit the bill. Anyone know towing limit?

Hugo Stiglitz

39,894 posts

229 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
It needs bigger wheels!