Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Roughly two months after its debut in Thailand, where it is built for the local and global markets, the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ has launched in Japan.The compact, rugged off-road SUV has officially gone on sale in Japan today with a single engine, a single trim level and a price that makes it the most affordable Land Cruiser-badged SUV in Toyota's home market.At This Price, Is the FJ the Most Desirable Toyota or What?ToyotaThe Land Cruiser FJ starts at 4,500,100 Japanese yen, which is the equivalent of $28,500 at the current exchange rate, undercutting the classic Land Cruiser 70 by about $3,500. The FJ will also be available in Japan as part of the Kinto subscription service for a monthly fee of 38,390 yen (about $243).AdvertisementAdvertisementIn addition to the FJ and 70 Series, Toyota also sells the 250 Series (marketed as the Land Cruiser in USA) and 300 Series Land Cruiser models in Japan. The 70 Series and 300 Series Land Cruisers are not available in the United States—unless you want it as a more luxurious Lexus LX.ToyotaBack to the Land Cruiser FJ, it’s available in Japan with only one engine, a naturally aspirated 2.7-liter four-cylinder rated at 161 hp and 178 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed Super ECT torque-converter automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels via a part-time 4WD system.Toyota says the engine achieves a fuel economy of 8.7 km/L in WLTC mode, which is the equivalent of 20.5 MPG U.S.Well-Equipped and Roomier Than You'd ThinkToyotaThe Land Cruiser FJ is available in only one trim level called VX, which includes roof rails, side steps, front skid plate, and a rear-mounted spare tire on the outside. Customers can also choose between five body colors, including Smoky Blue and Oxide Bronze Metallic.AdvertisementAdvertisementStandard interior features include a multifunction steering wheel, 12.3-inch display with Connected Navigation support, Panoramic View Monitor that sends live feeds from the vehicle’s exterior cameras to the main screen to provide a 360-degree, bird's-eye view of the surroundings, and Blind Spot Monitor.The Toyota Safety Sense active safety suite is also standard and includes advanced functions such as the Pre-collision Safety System and Lane Departure Alert.Despite the fact that the FJ is almost 14 inches shorter and 4.5 inches narrower than a Land Cruiser 250 (the wheelbase is also 9.5 inches shorter), it offers seating for five and a generous trunk, thanks in part to its boxy design; the cargo volume is 28 cubic feet with all five seats in place.The second-row seat comes with a 60:40 split and it also slides forward and backward, reclines, and includes seat backboards. The second row is placed significantly higher than the front seats, enabling better forward visibility for rear passengers—although we’re not of the impact that has on headroom.It Beats the Land Cruiser 250 in Key Off-Road MetricsNow, when it comes to the Land Cruiser FJ’s off-road capability, the ladder-frame chassis adapted from Toyota’s IMV platform shared with the Hilux pickup is a prerequisite for top performance off the beaten track, especially since the lateral frame rigidity has been enhanced by shortening the wheelbase and adding braces.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdditionally, the body structure features lightweight high-tensile strength steel plates, while the underfloor benefits from additional spot welding to improve vibration damping, which is said to enhance ride comfort while maintaining excellent handling stability.ToyotaCompared to the Land Cruiser 250, the FJ has equivalent ground clearance but superior approach and departure angles (15 degrees greater), while wheel articulation is equivalent to the legendary 70 Series. Furthermore, the short wheelbase is said to enable excellent maneuverability and a minimum turning radius of 5.5 meters (18 feet).Toyota will also offer a series of dealer-installed options that include exterior accessories by ARB (skid plate, roof rack and rock rails), Molle panels for the side of the trunk and the rear door, as well as body decals, among other customizing options.View the 11 images of this gallery on the original articleThis story was originally published by Autoblog on May 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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