Toyota's Baby G-Class Rival Could Be Ready Sooner Than Mercedes Hoped
Mercedes has a mini off-roader in the works, but Toyota may beat it to the punch. It's certainly been working on it for long enough. We're closing in on a decade since Toyota showed its FT-4X at the New York Auto Show, showing a desire to give the Land Cruiser a little sibling again. A few years later, we got the Compact Cruiser EV concept, plus a teaser or two that have fueled years of rumors and speculation. The latest of which comes to us from Japanese car news outlet BestCar. It reports that we'll finally see the SUV this fall.
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Toyota
Toyota is a Japanese automaker founded in 1937 that has developed a reputation for reliability across a multitude of segments, from sports cars and family sedans to pickup trucks and off-roaders. Famous models from the brand include the Hilux, Land Cruiser, Camry, Crown, and Corolla, the latter being the world's best-selling vehicle nameplate, with more than 50 million Corolla-badged vehicles being sold since it was first introduced. Toyota typically competes in the mainstream market, but is also famous for launching Lexus as a luxury sub-brand to take on Mercedes-Benz.
Coming This Fall With Gas Power
With a potential fall reveal, it seems like the new mini Land Cruiser, potentially called FJ, will be shown at the Tokyo Mobility Show. The LA Auto Show is also possible, assuming it will be offered in the US. While we have indeed heard reveal dates in the past, this year does make sense considering the fact it and the Land Cruiser SE were teased together last year.
Besides a reveal target, BestCar also updated its prediction for the FJ's powertrain. The outlet believes it will only be offered with a gas engine to start, specifically the naturally-aspirated, gas-powered 2.7-liter 2TR four-cylinder. Supposedly, it will also be mated to the four-wheel-drive system from the Land Cruiser Prado and US-spec Land Cruiser.
Toyota Compact Cruiser EV front three-quarter
That engine is not used in any US product, which leaves the question of whether the SUV is planned for America. We're hoping that it is coming to America and will simply receive a different engine. A previous rumor suggested the hybrid 2.5-liter four-cylinder from the RAV4 Hybrid and others could make an appearance, which seems plausible. A version of the turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder from the Tacoma would also seem like a good fit. An electric version could be in the cards, too, as suggested by that Compact Cruiser concept.
Toyota Compact Cruiser EV rendering front three-quarter
The Other Rumored Details
Past reports have said the FJ won't use the TNGA-F platform that underpins all of Toyota's body-on-frame vehicles in the US. Instead, it will supposedly use the IMV platform that underpins the somewhat recently launched Hilux Champ. If this is the case, we have concerns about the FJ coming to America. Certifying it for US safety requirements could end up being expensive, even considering the affordable nature of the platform. However, people still seem very interested in off-road-capable vehicles across all segments, so there may be enough of a market to justify the homologation costs.
The FJ will apparently be genuinely small, too. Dimensions could be close to the Corolla Cross. That would put it up against the Subaru Crosstrek, but with a body-on-frame chassis and a four-wheel-drive system with an actual low-range gearset. Though last year's teaser suggests it might be closer in size to the RAV4 and competitors such as the Ford Bronco Sport and Subaru Forester.
