When Toyota first unveiled the all-new Land Cruiser 250 (which we know as the Prado) globally in August 2023, the company teased the silhouettes of two other SUVs smaller than the LC250. Since then, there have been numerous hints that Toyota is working on a more affordable off-roading SUV. Patents of this upcoming SUV have now been leaked online.
Rumoured to be called FJ Cruiser, the Japanese automaker filed the patent for this SUV back in January 2024 but it has only come to light now. This image reportedly has been leaked from a patent office in the Philippines and looks very familiar to the set of digitally rendered images of the FJ Cruiser leaked sometime last year.
Toyota FJ Cruiser: Nomenclature & Underpinnings
This model holds significance for the Indian market since Toyota is planning to introduce a more affordable and slightly smaller version of the Fortuner. And we believe that the FJ Cruiser could be the upcoming Mini Fortuner. The name “FJ” has long been iconic for Toyota, with most generations of the Land Cruiser carrying the FJ designation, beginning with the FJ20 in 1955.
The most recent use of the FJ name on an SUV was the retro-inspired FJ Cruiser, which was produced from 2006 to 2022. The upcoming iteration of the FJ Cruiser will be built on a modified version of the IMV ladder-on-frame chassis that currently underpins the Toyota Hilux Champ pickup truck sold in Thailand and Indonesia. This platform is a derivative of the existing IMV architecture underpinning Innova Crysta, Fortuner, and Hilux in India.
Toyota FJ Cruiser: Expected Design
The patent images reveal that Toyota’s rugged new SUV is a larger, more developed version of the Compact Cruiser EV concept first unveiled in 2021. In addition to its boxy proportions, the images confirm a practical five-door configuration. The rugged SUV features prominent front and rear fenders, thick C-pillars, and a vertical rear design.
Up front, while some edges are rounded, the rectangular grille, tall front bumper, and robust body cladding contribute to its tough, utilitarian stance. At the rear, a full-size spare wheel mounted on the upright tailgate further accentuates its off-road character. As for dimensions, the FJ Cruiser is expected to offer a wheelbase of 2750mm which is similar to the Fortuner on sale today.
Toyota FJ Cruiser: Expected Powertrain & Launch
We expect Toyota to offer multiple engine options with the upcoming FJ Cruiser which is likely to include 2.0-litre petrol engine from the Hilux Champ, a 2.7-litre petrol unit, and the 2.8-litre diesel engine currently used in the Fortuner. Toyota has been keen on launching a more affordable version of Fortuner for some time now and the FJ Cruiser fits the bill perfectly although a market launch in India might still be some time away. We expect this model to make its India debut in 2027.
Image Source: Motor1.com