Toyota has officially added a fourth series to its Land Cruiser family. The all-new Land Cruiser FJ went on sale in Japan on 14 May 2026, joining the 300, 70 and 250 Series. The FJ is the smallest and most agile of the four, built to bring more drivers into the Land Cruiser fold without giving up what the nameplate is known for: reliability, durability and real off-road capability. Cumulative Land Cruiser sales sit at around 12.4 million units across more than 190 countries and regions as of the end of March 2026, a figure that includes the Lexus LX and GX, so Toyota clearly sees room to grow the family further.
The FJ hasn't been announced for Australia. Toyota Australia has made no statement on local availability, timing or pricing, and we won't speculate on any of that here. What's clear is that the FJ is a real shift in direction for the Land Cruiser range globally, so it's worth knowing what Toyota has built and why.
At a Glance
- On sale in Japan from 14 May 2026; no Australian availability has been announced.
- Ladder-frame platform derived from the IMV series, with a wheelbase 270 mm shorter than the 250 Series and a minimum turning radius of 5.5 m.
- Powered by a 2.7-litre naturally aspirated inline four-cylinder (2TR-FE) paired with a six-speed Super ECT automatic transmission.
- Ground clearance and approach and departure angles equivalent to the 250 Series, with wheel articulation equivalent to the 70 Series.
- Japanese manufacturer's suggested retail price for the sole VX grade is 4,500,100 yen including consumption tax.
Why Toyota built a smaller Land Cruiser
Toyota puts the brief plainly: build a Land Cruiser more people can drive with confidence. The 300 Series flagship is a large, technology-heavy station wagon. The 250 Series, launched in 2024, is the "return to origins" core model. The 70 Series remains the stripped-back workhorse.
The FJ is none of those. It's compact enough to suit city streets, yet engineered for unpaved terrain. Toyota calls that balance "Freedom and Joy," which also provides the model's name: FJ.
The smaller footprint doesn't cost you off-road credentials. Ground clearance and approach and departure angles match the 250 Series. Wheel articulation, which is a tyre's ability to stay in contact with uneven ground, is calibrated to match the 70 Series. That's a pointed pair of benchmarks, and it says Toyota isn't selling you a lifestyle crossover in off-road clothing.
Platform and structure
The FJ rides on a ladder-frame chassis, and that choice matters. Monocoque construction is lighter and cheaper to engineer, but ladder frames have long been preferred for serious off-road work because they're strong and repairable in remote country. Toyota refined the FJ's platform from the IMV series, which underpins the HiLux and Fortuner among others and has shown high durability across difficult terrain worldwide.
The shortened wheelbase gives you more than manoeuvrability. Lateral frame rigidity has been increased with braces to make up for the reduced length, and the body structure uses high-tensile steel with extra spot welding on the underfloor. Toyota says that improves vibration damping, so you get better ride comfort without losing handling stability. The headline figure is a minimum turning radius of 5.5 m, which makes the FJ easier to place than its larger siblings on tight trails and in town.
Powertrain
The FJ launches in Japan with one powertrain: a 2.7-litre naturally aspirated inline four-cylinder, the 2TR-FE, paired with a six-speed Super ECT automatic. Toyota notes the naturally aspirated unit helps reliability and ease of use, on road and off. The transmission is a six-speed conventional automatic rather than a CVT, which fits the durability focus of the wider Land Cruiser philosophy.
Part-time four-wheel drive is standard on the sole VX grade available at launch in Japan.
Design and customisation
The FJ keeps the square cabin proportions Land Cruiser owners will recognise straight away, so interior space and cargo practicality stay strong for the footprint. Toyota has worked in what it describes as a dice motif as a nod to the "Freedom and Joy" concept, adding a degree of playfulness to what is otherwise a very purposeful looking vehicle. An accessories catalogue is available from launch, and Toyota says the FJ was designed from the outset with customisation in mind.
Land Hopper: what comes next
Toyota previewed the Land Hopper alongside the FJ, an electric personal mobility vehicle meant to take you past where a four-wheeled vehicle can go. It's sized to store in the FJ's luggage area and is aimed at trails, mainly unpaved mountain and forest paths. Toyota has said it will be available from spring 2027 onward. The Land Hopper shown is a prototype, and full specifications haven't been confirmed.
What this means for the Land Cruiser lineup
The Land Cruiser family now covers four distinct use cases: flagship luxury and technology in the 300 Series, origins-focused versatility in the 250 Series, pure-function durability in the 70 Series and compact agility in the FJ. Toyota framed the expansion under its "TO YOU" concept, which suggests the range will keep broadening rather than consolidating. Whether the FJ reaches Australian showrooms is still unknown, and Toyota Australia hasn't indicated any plans at this stage.
If you already run a Land Cruiser here, PVS Automotive supplies interior and accessories fitment for the 70 Series and related platforms.
