Toyota's new Land Cruiser FJ could debut October 20 at a private media event, with global reveal scheduled for 5:00 AM Japan time October 21 (3:00 PM ET October 20)The compact off-roader measures 171.3 inches long, shorter than the Corolla Cross, and will initially feature a naturally aspirated 2.7-liter four-cylinder making 163 hpPlatform remains unclear between IMV-0 ladder frame and TNGA-F architecture, with US models expected to offer upgraded powertrain options including turbocharged variants All signs indicate Toyota is about to introduce a new, smaller off-road SUV, and after two years of speculation since the initial tease, we might finally see it in a matter of days. According to Japanese outlet Mag-X, the new Land Cruiser FJ could debut as early as October 20 at a private media event, with an official global reveal scheduled for 5:00 AM Japan time on October 21, which translates to 3:00 PM ET on October 20 for those of us not living in the future. Now, before everyone gets too excited thinking Toyota's bringing back the beloved FJ Cruiser in its original retro-styled glory, let's manage expectations. This isn't a direct resurrection of that boxy, characterful off-roader that ceased production in 2014. This is something different, something smaller, something that's allegedly similar in size to the Toyota Corolla Cross but stubbier, which sounds like the automotive equivalent of describing someone as "fun-sized." Toyota Land Cruiser FJ specifications and size According to the latest reports, the FJ will measure 171.3 inches long, which is about 5.0 inches shorter than the Corolla Cross. To put that in perspective, it's closer in length to the Ford Bronco Sport at 172.7 inches than to its Toyota stablemates. So we're talking about a properly compact off-roader here, not some massive seven-seater that requires its own postcode.The powertrain details are where things get interesting, and by interesting we mean potentially disappointing depending on which market you're in. Initial reports suggest the Land Cruiser FJ will feature a naturally aspirated 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine borrowed from the entry-level Hilux, where it produces a modest 163 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. Those are not exciting numbers. Those are the sort of numbers that make you wonder if Toyota's engineers have been reading too many fuel economy reports and not enough performance magazines. However, there's hope for the US market. If Toyota's planning to sell this thing in North America, and reports suggest they are with dealers expecting stock next year, they'll need to offer upgraded powertrain options. Americans have very specific ideas about what constitutes adequate power, and 163 horsepower in anything larger than a shopping trolley isn't it. The likely candidate for US models is Toyota's turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder, which can produce up to 326 horsepower in various applications. That's more like it. Hybrid options are also expected, because this is Toyota and they put hybrid powertrains in everything these days, including presumably the office coffee machine. The platform situation remains murky, which is automotive journalism speak for "we don't actually know and Toyota isn't telling us." The latest report suggests the FJ will ride on the IMV-0 platform, a ladder frame architecture that underpins the Hilux Champ. The problem with this theory is that the IMV-0 platform isn't suited for American safety standards, which would make selling the FJ in the US rather difficult unless Toyota fancies lengthy battles with federal regulators. Earlier reports suggested the new Toyota could use the TNGA-F architecture, which underpins the Land Cruiser, Tacoma, and Tundra. This makes considerably more sense for a vehicle destined for global markets including North America, but nothing has been confirmed because Toyota apparently enjoys keeping everyone guessing. Either way, if the FJ is genuinely coming to North America as reported, it's unlikely to borrow a platform that won't meet safety standards. Toyota's many things, but stupid isn't one of them. A Corolla Cross-sized off-roader with a Hilux engine sounds practical and sensible, which are excellent qualities in a refrigerator but less exciting in a vehicle wearing FJ badges. Then again, if Toyota can package genuine off-road capability into a compact, affordable package, they might have something genuinely appealing on their hands. We'll find out in a matter of days, assuming these latest reports are accurate and Toyota doesn't decide to delay things at the last minute just to keep everyone on their toes.
