TOYOTA

Is this what the new Toyota FJ Cruiser will look like?

While we wait for Toyota's "baby" Land Cruiser (whose premiere has reportedly been delayed until early 2026), a new patent render has emerged that offers us the clearest look yet at the exterior of this rugged compact SUV.

Toyota originally announced the model back in August 2023, when a darkened image was released.

Although the Japanese company has not officially confirmed it yet, many believe that this model will be called the FJ Cruiser.

The new patent shows a compact SUV with a five-door configuration and a boxy shape. The profile and overall silhouette are very reminiscent of the previously released official teaser, right down to the shape of the LED headlights. Other design elements include pronounced front fenders, thick C-pillars and a rear vertical part, along with a full-size spare wheel mounted on the tailgate.

The lower body features an unpainted plastic cladding that wraps around the bumpers, fenders and side sills, a classic off-road style that hints at the SUV's rugged capabilities. Ground clearance also looks quite generous.

As reported by Carscoops, Japanese reports suggest that the FJ Cruiser will be around 4500mm long, which puts it in the compact SUV segment.

Unlike the larger and more expensive 250 and 300 Series Land Cruisers, which use Toyota's TNGA-F platform, the FJ Cruiser will reportedly be based on the IMV-0 platform. This architecture is expected to be shared with the next-generation Hilux and Fortuner.

As for the powertrain, there's a good chance we'll see a 2.7-liter four-cylinder petrol engine under the hood in at least some markets. Regardless of the powertrain options, Toyota is expected to keep things authentic with a standard 4WD system, staying true to the Land Cruiser family's heritage.

Autonews