New Toyota FJ Cruiser: Everything We Know
During the 2024 Land Cruiser debut last August, Toyota briefly showed the silhouette of another boxy off-roader. That could be the new FJ Cruiser—or at least, a smaller off-road SUV with the Cruiser name. Since then, Toyota hasn't made a peep about such a model, but evidence continues to mount surrounding what could be a smaller LC for off-road enthusiasts—or so we hope.
An errant trademark filing and some reading between the lines allude to Toyota expanding its Land Cruiser nameplate into a more prominent brand, similar to what the company has done with Crown. But the details are scarce, and there are some conflicting reports about said vehicle.
Still, there's a strong possibility that a new FJ Cruiser—or a similar compact off-roader—could happen soon. Here's what we know.
The FJ Cruiser was an off-road SUV that Toyota built in the US between 2007 and 2014. It had retro styling and a signature white roof in most applications. Powered by a 4.0-liter V-6 engine, the FJ had 239 horsepower between 2007 and 2009 and settled at 260 horsepower by the end of its lifecycle.
You could get the FJ with a five-speed automatic or a six-speed manual, and it had standard all-wheel drive with Toyota's advanced A-Trac traction control system—which essentially mimicked a locking differential for better traction off-road. And on paper, at least, the FJ could go toe-to-toe with the Jeep Wrangler.
These days, the FJ is a cult classic—trying to find a well-kept used example for a decent price is a tough task. But rumors of its revival have been swirling for several years. The automaker might finally be ready to resurrect the rugged nameplate for a new version or use it as a starting point for a completely fresh model.
It's unclear if this new off-roader will actually use the "FJ Cruiser" name. Given that the nameplate left the US in 2014, it’s certainly possible. However, Toyota could use the name "Cruiser" in a different way.
The off-roader concept we saw in 2021 had the name "Compact Cruiser EV." The Compact Cruiser nameplate could stick around, but a trademark filing from November 2023 for the Land Cruiser FJ name suggests that Toyota at least wants to keep the FJ in its portfolio.
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