Can Toyota’s 2026 ‘baby’ Land Cruiser upstage the Jimny? Here's what we know so far

Whether we’re talking Prado, LC300 or that venerable 70-Series, Toyota’s Land Cruiser sub-brand has a fanatical following in many parts of the world, South Africa included.

Only trouble is, the entrance fee is well north of a million rand nowadays, which means it’s simply not accessible to most vehicle buyers.

That’s set to change next year, with Toyota having seen a gap at the lower end of the market. Multiple sources are reporting that a new compact Land Cruiser model will debut in Japan during the second quarter of 2026. Although its name has yet to be officially confirmed, it is widely speculated that the new model will be called the Land Cruiser FJ.

Toyota has likely been watching the Suzuki Jimny and its cult-like following with envious eyes, but the new FJ will be a somewhat bigger vehicle, possibly hitting a sweet spot for those who feel the plucky Suzuki is too small.

The baby Cruiser is expected to be similar in size to Toyota’s Corolla Cross, with a length in the region of 4,350mm, CarExpert reports. This makes it more than half a metre longer than the Jimny.

Its styling is said to be heavily inspired by the Toyota Compact Cruiser EV Concept of 2021, with recent patent leaks also backing up this theory.

The FJ won’t replace the Corolla Cross, of course; rather, it will serve as a more rugged and off-road-focused SUV. It’s said to share its body-on-frame underpinnings with the current Toyota Hilux, and will offer proper 4x4 hardware, including a Torsen limited-slip differential. Creative311 reports that the FJ will be powered by Toyota’s 2.7-litre normally aspirated petrol engine, which produces 122kW in the Hilux.

Some reports have also pointed to the 2.4-litre GD-6 turbodiesel being offered, and that would make considerable sense for markets such as Australia and South Africa, but the 2.8 GD-6 has apparently been ruled out due to supply constraints.

Markets with stricter emissions rules, such as Europe, will likely receive hybrid powertrains and more efficient petrol options instead.

Sources suggest the goal with the FJ is to offer customers a more compact and accessible option within the Land Cruiser family, meaning it’s likely to be priced significantly below the current Prado.

The MVP Auto channel suggests a starting price of around $27,000 in overseas markets, which equates to about R465,000. However, many different variables could determine its local price, notwithstanding that we don’t know whether it will be imported or produced locally, or even if it will be offered locally, for that matter.

The only question on our minds is this: once it goes on sale, will Toyota be able to make enough of these to support the tremendous demand that will almost certainly follow?

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