Toyota Australia is no closer to bringing in the LandCruiser FJ baby off-roader Down Under, according to the brand’s local vice president for marketing and sales.
Speaking with CarExpert at the launch of the new-generation RAV4 Hybrid, John Pappas said the LandCruiser FJ is still “not available” for our market.
“I think that with the FJ… when you look at it, the suitability for the Australian market from an aesthetic point of view, definitely looks great,” Mr Pappas said.
“But unfortunately, at the moment, it [uses] an older engine and won’t meet our future emission regulations. So it’s not available for us to be looking at taking that [at the moment].”
Mr Pappas added: “… [but] if that changed, and then [the FJ] became available with a different engine type, for example, we’d definitely consider it”, leaving the door open for the smallest LandCruiser to head Down Under should it be available with, hypothetically, the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel from the related Hilux dual-cab ute.
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Revealed in late 2025, the LandCruiser FJ is only available with one powertrain at launch, a 2.7-litre ‘2TR-FE’ naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that Toyota Australia says won’t meet local emissions regulations – which now mandate stricter Euro-6d standards and average CO2 caps for manufacturers.
The LandCruiser FJ will be made in Thailand – where the popular HiLux is made for Australia – with both vehicles using the same ‘IMV’ platform, dating back to 2004, also shared with the related HiLux Champ.
Toyota Australia has previously ruled out the HiLux Champ for a local introduction, too.
According to Japanese publication Best Car Web, in 2029 the ‘baby FJ’ will get the HiLux’s 2.8-litre ‘1GD-FTV’ turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine which could put it on the radar for Toyota’s local arm.
In the local HiLux and Prado, the diesel engine makes 150kW/500Nm, compared to the petrol engine’s 120kW/246Nm outputs, with both using a six-speed automatic and featuring 48V mild-hybrid technology.
Measuring 4575mm long, 1855mm wide and 1960mm tall with a 2580mm wheelbase, the LandCruiser FJ is a ‘baby’ relative to its Prado and 300 Series stablemates, but it’s closer in size to a RAV4 than a Suzuki Jimny XL.
The aforementioned 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine powering this not-so-baby off-roader makes just 120kW and 246Nm, driving a part-time four-wheel drive system via a six-speed “Super ECT” automatic transmission.
Toyota claims in the LandCruiser FJ’s launch materials that it offers genuine off-road capability, with wheel articulation that’s “equivalent to the 70 Series”, and excellent manoeuvrability courtesy of its shorter wheelbase (270mm shorter than that of the Prado).
The LandCruiser FJ and HiLux Champ are primarily aimed at Southeast Asian markets, though the FJ has been confirmed for a Japanese release around mid-way through 2026.
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