New Toyota LandCruiser FJ: Everything we know so far about the sub Toyota Prado and LandCruiser 300 Series four-wheel drive

Everything Toyota touches turns to gold, and the Japanese brand might be about to apply the Midas touch to one of the most exciting cars in years.

Rumours have been swirling in Japan about a mini Toyota LandCruiser that would sit underneath Prado in the brand’s rugged four-wheel drive range.

A small retro-styled 4WD is one of the few things missing in Toyota's expansive line-up and with strong sales of the full-size LandCruiser 300 Series, people lining up around the corner to get their hands on a fresh Prado, Toyota could soon be plugging that gap.

Toyota Australia poured fuel onto the fire when they trademarked the “LandCruiser FJ” name in March this year.

Toyota Australia Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley told CarsGuide earlier this year he wasn’t aware of the move by the company’s local arm.

“There you go, told me something I didn’t even know,” said Hanley. 

“Doesn’t surprise me because we trademark a lot of things. We may at some point want to use it again but there’s nothing that I’m aware of.”

“I’m not aware of that product, but I’m not surprised. FJ is a great trademark, I’m glad we locked it down.”

When there is smoke there is fire, though.

Here is everything we know about the speculated Toyota LandCruiser FJ.

What engine will the 2025 Toyota LandCruiser FJ use?

Reports from Japanese outlets known for their well placed sources point to the LandCruiser FJ ditching the diesel engine found in the brand’s other rugged machines such as the HiLux and Prado.

Instead, the LandCruiser FJ is believed to be using a hybrid set-up, the company has been cool on electric cars right now and believes hybrids are the answer for right now.

Australia’s impending New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) is due to take effect next year, which will make hybrids crucial to avoid being slugged with penalties.

Toyota is working on a new range of hybrid engines: a 1.5-litre and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit.

These new compact engines are designed to be more compatible with electrification.

There is no word on the outputs of the 1.5-litre unit but the bigger engine is believed to be capable of pumping out 300kW when used in a hybrid set-up.

Toyota isn’t expected to make a full hybrid version of its diesel engines, instead going down the mild-hybrid road that only shaves off a minuscule amount of fuel use.

Adding weight to the hybrid rumours, Toyota Australia has gone hybrid-only for its entire passenger car range and the US is mooted to follow suit in the next two years.

Toyota could persist with diesel power if it decides to build the vehicle on the ageing IMV platform that underpins emerging market models such as the HiLux Champ.

That avenue would also help keep costs down.

What will the 2025 Toyota LandCruiser FJ look like?

This is where things get interesting.

There is no official word on the car, no spy pics and no leaks about what the car looks like, but there are cars both modern and older the brand is likely to draw inspiration from.

Toyota’s new Prado has gone retro with its styling, bringing chunky and tough good looks that would easily translate to a smaller version.

The FJ Cruiser of a decade ago was potentially ahead of its time and its looks have only gotten better with age.

The old FJ40 landCruiser, is of similar proportions to the mooted LandCruiser FJ, and its timeless boxy safari-car-like looks could stun with a modern makeover.

If it looks like the Compact Cruiser EV concept of a few years ago it'll be a red-hot seller, too.

Hopefully it doesn’t take too many design cues from the HiLux Champ Rangga recently revealed for Asian markets such as Thailand and Indonesia. The car’s frumpy proportions, miniature wheels and odd body creases aren’t easy on the eye.

Initial reports put the LandCruiser FJ as about the same size as the Corolla Cross SUV. Its dimensions are speculated to be 4500mm long, 1830mm wide and 1850mm tall. 

It is expected to have a roomier cabin thanks to its 2750mm wheelbase — the distance between the front and rear wheels — compared to the Corolla Cross’ 2640mm wheelbase.

How much will the 2025 Toyota LandCruiser FJ cost?

Reports put the LandCruiser FJ at less than the Current Fortuner, which would put it at about the $50,000 range.

That price tag would have local off-road enthusiasts, campers, weekend warriors and everyone in between frothing at the mouth.

Expect Toyota to apply a healthy margin on the car if it does come to fruition.

The new Prado range starts at about $72,500 (before on-road costs), so there will need to be breathing room beneath that so it wouldn’t cannibalise sales, so the mid-to-high $50,000 mark sounds right.

When will the 2025 Toyota LandCruiser FJ go on sale?

Reports have the LandCruiser FJ entering production in November, but those reports may have been referring to the recently revealed HiLux Champ Rangga.

There is a strong possibility that the diesel version of this car might be reserved for emerging markets but a more polished hybrid version is slated for countries such as Australia.

That would push the timeline back to 2026 or 2027.