Let’s face it, the quirky, retro-styled Toyota FJ Cruiser wasn’t a super popular prospect for American buyers when it first hit the market in 2007. Well, the “FJ” moniker is back again, and it’s something that Toyota off-roader fans might be able to get behind. But don’t bet on the little Land Cruiser FJ reaching star-spangled shores anytime soon.

The new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ is a Hilux-based miniature off-roader with near Suzuki Jimny-esque dimensions

I drove a late-model Suzuki Jimny around Iceland a few years ago. Needless to say, I fell in love. The little Jimny was essentially a hiked-up hatchback with an appetite for adventure. What’s not to love? Now, Toyota is taking a stab at teeny tiny off-roaders with the new Land Cruiser FJ. 

Set for a Japanese launch in mid-2026, the Land Cruiser FJ will be the smallest, admittedly cutest off-roader in the brand’s global lineup. But there’s a catch. As of now, the diminutive retro SUV isn’t slated for North American or European sales.  

The little Toyota SUV rides on the IMV platform, the same underpinnings as the wildly popular Hilux pickup truck. It is, however, a platform you won’t find in American showrooms. Sorry to get your hopes up.

It’s a disheartening blow, too. According to the Land Cruiser FJ’s press release, the new kid on the block matches the wheel articulation of the 70 Series, its venerable grandfather. In addition to an ability to stretch and crawl, the new Land Cruiser FJ is just over 180 inches long and 77 inches wide. Its wheelbase sits at 101 inches, meaning a tight, maneuverable package.

At the Land Cruiser FJ’s heart is a 2.7L inline-four-cylinder engine producing 161 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. That mill marries up to a six-speed automatic gearbox and can send power to all four wheels, though not all of the time. Sorry, you American adventure seekers with a taste for the tiny, this one’s not for you.