Toyota South Africa Motors has expanded its Land Cruiser family with the introduction of the Land Cruiser FJ, a compact model positioned alongside the 300, Prado and 70 Series. The FJ, says Toyota, has been developed around a concept of freedom and exploration, aimed at customers who require weekday urban usability combined with weekend off-road capability.
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The Land Cruiser FJ is built on a ladder-frame platform derived from the IMV architecture, with additional structural bracing and high-tensile steel sections to improve torsional rigidity. The vehicle measures 4 575 mm in length and 1 855 mm in width, with a wheelbase of 2 580 mm. Compared to the Prado, the FJ is 350 mm shorter and 125 mm narrower, while the wheelbase is reduced by 270 mm. The turning radius is 5,5 metres.
Under the bonnet, Toyota has fitted the naturally aspirated 2,7-litre 2TR-FE petrol engine. Peak output is 122 kW at 5 200 r/min and 245 Nm at 4 000 r/min. The engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission featuring Super ECT technology. Gear ratios include a lower first gear for climbing and a taller sixth gear for highway cruising. Combined cycle fuel consumption is listed at 10,7 l/100 km.
The drivetrain uses a part-time four-wheel-drive system with selectable H4 and L4 modes. A rear differential lock is included as standard, along with Downhill Assist Control, Hill-start Assist Control and Vehicle Stability Control.
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Front drivetrain components are shared with the Land Cruiser Prado, while a lightweight propeller shaft is borrowed from the Fortuner. Approach and departure angles have been calibrated for off-road use, with ground clearance sufficient to maintain wheel contact on uneven terrain.
Suspension consists of double wishbones at the front and a four-link rigid axle with a lateral rod at the rear. Toyota engineers added spot welding points and revised damping materials to reduce noise, vibration and harshness.
The cabin features a horizontal dashboard layout with grouped physical controls, an 8-inch display screen and a 7-inch TFT instrument cluster. Rear seats slide and recline, and luggage space is retained despite the compact exterior dimensions.
Two grades are available. The GX rides on 17-inch dark grey metallic alloy wheels with black exterior detailing, fabric upholstery and a urethane steering wheel. The VX moves to 18-inch black alloy wheels, adds synthetic leather trim, a leather steering wheel and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. That suite includes pre-collision warning, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, blind spot monitoring, a panoramic view monitor and enhanced parking support braking.
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Both derivatives come with seven crash bags, a full-size spare wheel mounted on a side-opening rear door, and an 8-inch multimedia system with six speakers. A snorkel, roof rails, skid plates and a 12,3-inch display upgrade are available as accessories through Toyota’s partnership with ARB.
The Land Cruiser FJ is available in five colours: Platinum White Pearl, Attitude Black, Ash Grey, Calcite Blue and Oxide Bronze.
Toyota targets buyers aged between 30 and 45, described as lifestyle-oriented customers who want a single vehicle for commuting and overlanding. The FJ will be sold alongside the rest of the Land Cruiser range, with first deliveries expected within the next quarter.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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