- A patent drawing reveals a first look at the upcoming Toyota FJ Cruiser.
- The design closely mirrors the official teaser released by Toyota in 2023.
- The SUV is set to debut in spring 2026, featuring a ladder-frame chassis.
Update: The timeline for the unveiling of the still-unnamed compact Land Cruiser keeps moving, with sources in Japan now indicating a debut in the spring of next year. We’ve also got some new details about the powertrains to share in the updated story below.
Off-roading enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Toyota’s “baby” Land Cruiser, and while its debut has been pushed back to spring 2026, the anticipation only seems to intensify. Just when you thought the wait couldn’t possibly get any more agonizing, we’ve uncovered a new patent drawing, giving us our clearest look yet at the rugged compact SUV’s exterior.
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Toyota has been pretty tight-lipped since releasing a single teaser of the model in August 2023. Since then, the rumor mill has been working overtime, especially around the ladder-frame, compact off-roader. Many believe it’s set to revive the FJ Cruiser nameplate, though Toyota hasn’t confirmed anything just yet.
Luckily, this patent drawing gives us something more concrete to chew on. While the patent was filed last year, it’s only just made its way into the public domain. We spruced up the image to improve the quality, but other than that, it’s what Toyota has decided to let us see.
A Sneak Peek at the Design
The new image shows a compact SUV with a five-door configuration and a boxy, utilitarian stance. The profile and overall silhouette closely resemble the official teaser Toyota released, right down to the shape of the LED headlights. Other design elements worth noting are the pronounced front fenders, thick C-pillars, and a rear end that’s almost comically vertical, complete with a full-size spare mounted on the tailgate.
The lower part of the body features unpainted plastic cladding that wraps around the bumpers, fenders, and side skirts, all classic off-road styling cues meant to hint at the SUV’s rugged capabilities. Ground clearance looks to be quite generous as well. While patents often include placeholder wheels, it’s easy to imagine this model outfitted with some serious off-road tires.
A Compact Evolution
Looking at the overall design, it’s clear that this model is a natural evolution of the 2021 Compact Cruiser EV concept, though it’s noticeably larger. Japanese reports suggest the production FJ Cruiser will stretch to around 4,500 mm (177.2 inches) in length, which places it firmly in the compact SUV segment.
Unlike the larger, pricier Land Cruiser 250 and 300 Series that ride on Toyota’s more refined TNGA-F platform, the FJ Cruiser will reportedly ride on the IMV-0 platform. This architecture is expected to be shared with the next-generation Hilux and Fortuner, and will likely feature some significant upgrades compared to the current Hilux Champ.
Ready for the Trail
The FJ Cruiser’s ladder-frame chassis promises to make it an off-roading enthusiast’s dream. This setup should give it a notable edge over unibody competitors like the Ford Bronco Sport, making it a solid choice for anyone who prioritizes off-road performance over city driving comfort.
As for what will be powering this future off-road warrior, there’s a good chance we’ll see the 2.7-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine under the hood in at least some markets. Another contestant is the 2.8-liter turbodiesel, which is already fitted in the Land Cruiser Prado, Hilux, and Fortuner, combined with a mild-hybrid system.
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In terms of transmission, the gas-powered version will likely get an six-speed automatic, while the diesel is expected to be mated to an eight-speed automatic. Regardless of the powertrain options, Toyota is expected to keep things authentic with a standard 4WD system, staying true to the legacy of the Land Cruiser family.
While there’s no way to confirm if the patent drawing represents the final production design, it certainly offers an intriguing glimpse of what’s on the horizon. Let’s hope Toyota teases us a bit more before the official launch.
Speaking of the debut, the new model is expected to appear in spring 2026. According to Japan’s Best Car, Toyota originally planned to introduce it this fall, but various issues including its involvement in the certification fraud have caused a delay.
