Toyota's baby LandCruiser, the FJ, is not coming to Australia anytime soon, according to the brand's local vice president for marketing and sales, John Pappas. This news comes as a disappointment to many enthusiasts who were eagerly awaiting the FJ's arrival in the Australian market. The FJ, revealed in late 2025, is a smaller version of the LandCruiser, designed to rival the Suzuki Jimny. However, Toyota Australia faces a significant challenge in bringing the FJ to Australia due to its powertrain. The current 2.7-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine doesn't meet the country's stringent emissions regulations, which mandate stricter Euro-6d standards and average CO2 caps for manufacturers. This means the FJ, as it stands, is not available for the Australian market.
The LandCruiser FJ is made in Thailand, sharing the same 'IMV' platform with the popular HiLux and HiLux Champ. Toyota Australia has previously ruled out the HiLux Champ for a local introduction, and the FJ's current powertrain doesn't align with the country's emission regulations. However, there's a glimmer of hope. According to Japanese publication Best Car Web, the 'baby FJ' will receive the HiLux's 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine in 2029, which could make it more appealing to Toyota's local arm. This engine, used in the local HiLux and Prado, produces 150kW/500Nm, significantly more powerful than the petrol engine's 120kW/246Nm outputs.
Despite the current challenges, the FJ's potential future in Australia remains an intriguing prospect. The LandCruiser FJ, measuring 4575mm long, 1855mm wide, and 1960mm tall, is a compact off-roader. It's smaller than the Prado and 300 Series but closer in size to the RAV4. Toyota claims the FJ offers genuine off-road capability, with wheel articulation and manoeuvrability that's comparable to the 70 Series. However, the current powertrain limitations and the brand's previous decisions to rule out certain models for Australia leave the FJ's future in the country uncertain.
In conclusion, while the LandCruiser FJ is not currently available in Australia due to powertrain and emissions regulations, the potential for a future introduction with a more suitable engine remains. The FJ's compact size and off-road capabilities make it an intriguing prospect for enthusiasts, and the possibility of a diesel-powered version in the future could see it become a serious contender in the Australian market.
