New Toyota Land Cruiser FJ expected in southern Africa by 2026

Tokyo – The newly unveiled Toyota Land Cruiser FJ, described as the modern spiritual successor to the popular FJ Cruiser, could make its way to southern Africa before mid-2026.

The compact sport utility vehicle made its global debut at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo, drawing widespread attention from car enthusiasts and the motoring industry. Reports from The Citizen’s head of motoring, Jaco van der Merwe, who attended the show as a guest of Suzuki Auto South Africa, suggest that the model is being seriously considered for the region, including Eswatini, where Toyota vehicles remain among the most sought-after.

Built on Toyota’s IMV 0 platform, which also underpins the Hilux and Fortuner, the Land Cruiser FJ will slot below the Prado in the brand’s line-up. Despite its smaller size, the FJ’s pricing is expected to overlap with that of the Fortuner, though Toyota says the two vehicles will appeal to different customers.

The FJ will only be available with a petrol engine, following the same path as its predecessor. Instead of the 4.0-litre V8, it will feature Toyota’s 2.7-litre engine used in the Hilux and HiAce models, producing 120kW and 246Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive.

Measuring 4 575mm in length and 1 855mm in width, the FJ is shorter and narrower than the Prado, though slightly taller. Its wheelbase of 2 580mm also makes it more compact and better suited for tighter terrains — a feature likely to appeal to adventure drivers in Eswatini’s mountainous and rural regions.

Stylistically, the Land Cruiser FJ blends retro charm with modern design, featuring removable bumpers for easy replacement and a cabin closely resembling that of the Prado. The interior includes dual digital displays, physical controls for climate settings, and a manual 2H, 4H, and 4L selector with a lockable rear differential.

Toyota has also fitted the new FJ with its latest Safety Sense system, which includes advanced driver-assist features such as lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.