New Mini Land Cruiser From Toyota Already Drawing Frenzied Demand

Right now, it looks like long lines could form for this rugged new SUV.

February 20, 2026 at 2:00 PM / News

Late last year, Toyota Motor Corporation unveiled its new compact body-on-frame SUV, the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ. The vehicle made its debut at the Japan Mobility Show, held from October 29 to November 9, 2025.

Sales in Japan are scheduled to begin in mid-2026. But early signs suggest demand could significantly outstrip supply.

Japanese outlet Kuruma-News contacted Toyota dealers in Tokyo to gauge customer interest — and the response was striking.

Here’s how representatives from Toyota dealerships in the Japanese capital described interest in the new Land Cruiser FJ:

“They want to know the release date, whether pre-orders have started, and how much it will cost. If they could buy it today, they would.”

“Some customers want to reserve two vehicles at once — one for a parent and one for a child — and are asking to be placed first in line.”

“There are already many customers eager to secure a reservation before the official launch. We expect a surge in demand the moment order banks open.”

The new Land Cruiser FJ is positioned as a compact, body-on-frame SUV measuring about 14.8 feet long, with a wheelbase of roughly 8.5 feet and 9.4 inches of ground clearance. It rides on Toyota’s IMV platform, which has proven itself in the Toyota Hilux pickup.

Under the hood, the Land Cruiser FJ will feature a 2.7-liter 2TR-FE gasoline engine producing 163 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. It will be paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a part-time four-wheel-drive system.

Pricing in Japan is expected to start at around 4 million yen — approximately $26,000 at current exchange rates.

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