- The Land Cruiser FJ may add a 2.8L turbodiesel by 2029.
- SUV launches with naturally-aspirated 2.7L gas engine.
- Production begins in Thailand before Japan debut.
The Land Cruiser name has always carried weight, and now its smallest, newest member steps into the spotlight. The FJ is already rolling off the production line in Thailand, with first deliveries due later this year. It arrives as a compact yet serious off roader, launching with a familiar gasoline engine, while Toyota reportedly considers an alternative to meet tightening global emissions rules.
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At launch, the Land Cruiser FJ will be available exclusively with a naturally aspirated 2.7-liter gasoline engine. This unit is a global workhorse, also found in the Land Cruiser Prado, Fortuner, Hilux, HiAce, and the previous generation Tacoma. In the FJ, it produces 161 hp (120 kW / 163 PS) and 246 Nm (181 lb-ft) of torque, paired with a six speed automatic gearbox and a part time 4WD system.
Diesel Prospects And Hybrid Potential
According to a new report from Japan’s Best Car, the next likely addition to the FJ’s engine lineup is a 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel. Sourced from the larger Land Cruiser 250 and the Hilux, this engine produces 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque, effectively doubling the torque of the gasoline unit while also delivering a noticeable increase in overall output.
The 2.8-liter turbodiesel has already proven compatible with a 48V mild-hybrid system, though it remains unclear whether the Land Cruiser FJ would receive the electrified version. Measuring 4,575 mm (180.1 in.) in length, the off-roader is built on Toyota’s tried and tested IMV ladder-frame architecture, shared with the Hilux, Hilux Champ, and Fortuner.
A Long Wait For Diesel
Diesel fans who were encouraged by the report may need a bit of patience. The turbodiesel is not expected to join the lineup until 2029. That three-year gap appears intentional.
A newer engine would give Toyota room to incorporate more advanced emissions hardware, helping the FJ stay compliant in markets like Japan well into the 2030s. The aging 2.7-liter gasoline unit could find that task increasingly difficult.
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The diesel’s introduction could also unlock new markets. Toyota executives in Australia have previously suggested that the Land Cruiser FJ would make a strong case for Down Under if equipped with a Euro 6 compliant powertrain.
For now, Toyota is keeping its roadmap largely under wraps, concentrating on the Japanese launch scheduled for May 2026. Buyers there will have access to a single trim, the VX, distinguished by rectangular LED headlight graphics and a generous list of standard equipment.
A wider rollout has been confirmed for Southeast Asia, the Middle East, South America, and Africa. North America and Europe, at least for now, remain off the table.
