Revealed in October 2025, Toyota South Africa Motors has confirmed the new Land Cruiser FJ is ‘under consideration’ for Mzansi.
First showcased in concept form at the 2003 North American International Motor Show, following the positive response towards the initial design study, Toyota officially unveiled the series-production version of the original FJ Cruiser at the Chicago Auto Show in 2005. The retro-styled SUV entered production in 2006 and would soldier on as one of the Japanese automaker’s most prolific 4x4s until it was officially discontinued following a lifespan of 16 years.
However, a year before the FJ Cruiser said its final goodbyes, Toyota showcased the Compact Cruiser EV Concept, a car many believed signified a spiritual successor to the original FJ Cruiser is in the workings. Well, following much speculation — not to mention anticipation — the Aichi-based finally unveiled the new-generation FJ in October 2025.
Will the new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ come to South Africa?
While it remains officially unconfirmed whether the new FJ-badged Land Cruiser will make its way to Mzansi, Toyota South Africa Motors has stated that the Land Cruiser FJ is ‘under consideration’ for our market. However, considering South Africa’s adoration for the Land Cruiser brand, a fair bet would be that it will, indeed, come to South Africa.
As with its predecessor, the Land Cruiser FJ employs a naturally aspirated petrol engine (indeed, no forced induction or diesel here). However, compared to the previous FJ, which is powered by the firm’s venerable 4.0-litre V6, which produced 200 kW and 380 N.m of torque in this application, the latest Toyota to don the the ‘FJ’ moniker is equipped with the carmaker’s 2.7-litre four-pot. Producing 120 kW and 246 N.m, the 2TR-FE unit, which is also available with select current-generation Hilux models, powering the new-generation FJ is coupled with the brand’s 6 Super ECT (electronically controlled transmission). The latter, six-speed automatic gearbox delivers power to the road via a part-time four-wheel-drive system.
Sharing its underpinnings with the Hilux, the Land Cruiser FJ is based on Toyota’s IMV platform. The newest 4×4 offering in Toyota’s line-up measures 4 575 mm in length, 1 855 mm in width, 1 960 in height, and 2 580 mm between the fore and aft axles. For comparison, its FJ predecessor measures 4 670 mm long, front to rear, with a wheelbase spanning 2 690 mm, 1 905 mm wide, and 1 830 mm in height.