2026 Toyota Baby Land Cruiser FJ : Toyota just dropped the biggest surprise of the year – a compact, tough, go-anywhere SUV that brings back the legendary FJ Cruiser spirit but at a price normal people can actually afford. Meet the 2026 Toyota Baby Land Cruiser FJ, the smaller brother of the 250-series Land Cruiser that starts at around $39,000 and still gives you real 4×4 capability, retro-cool looks, and Toyota reliability.
After years of fans begging for an affordable off-roader that isn’t a stripped-down crossover, Toyota finally listened. The Baby Land Cruiser FJ (officially just “Land Cruiser FJ” in most markets) slots below the Prado and the full-size Land Cruiser 300, giving us a rugged, boxy, body-on-frame SUV that’s smaller than a 4Runner but tougher than a RAV4 TRD.
Old-School Looks That Turn Heads
The moment you see it, you know exactly what Toyota was going for – pure FJ Cruiser nostalgia mixed with the new Land Cruiser 250 design language.
- Round LED headlights with “TOYOTA” spelled out across the grille
- White roof option (just like the original FJ40 and FJ Cruiser)
- Perfectly square body with almost zero overhangs
- Available two-tone paint and retro steel wheels
It’s cute but mean at the same time. Park it next to a Bronco Sport or a Jeep Renegade and it looks like their angry older cousin who actually goes off-road on weekends.
Size & Practicality – Finally a Land Cruiser You Can Park
One of the best things about the Baby Land Cruiser FJ is that it’s actually compact:
- Length: ~193 inches (about the same as a current RAV4)
- Width: 74.2 inches
- Height: 75.6 inches with roof rails
- Wheelbase: 110.2 inches
That means it fits in normal parking spots, your garage, and still gives you legit ground clearance of 8.7 inches and approach/departure angles that destroy most “soft-roaders.”
Inside you get seating for five, 37.5 cubic feet of cargo with seats up, and a super easy folding rear seat that goes completely flat. Perfect for weekend camping or Home Depot runs.
Powertrain – Simple, Strong, and Proven
No crazy electrification here (yet). Toyota kept it old-school reliable:
- 2.4-liter turbocharged i-FORCE four-cylinder making 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque
- 8-speed automatic transmission
- Full-time 4WD with low-range transfer case (yes, a real low range!)
- Locking center differential and available rear locker on higher trims
0-60 comes in about 7.8 seconds – plenty quick for something this boxy – and towing is rated at 6,000 pounds. Fuel economy is estimated around 22 mpg combined, which is excellent for a body-on-frame 4×4.
Trim Levels & Pricing (U.S. expected)
Toyota is keeping the lineup simple and affordable:
- FJ Base – ~$39,900
Steel wheels, fabric seats, 8-inch touchscreen, Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 - FJ Trail – ~$44,500
18-inch matte-black wheels, all-terrain tires, crawl control, Multi-Terrain Select - FJ Retro Edition – ~$47,000
Two-tone paint, round LED fog lights, heritage badges, premium audio
All models come standard with 4WD – no weak front-wheel-drive versions here.
Off-Road Ability That Punches Way Above Its Size
Even though it’s the “baby,” this thing is a proper Land Cruiser underneath. You get:
- Full skid plates protecting engine, transmission, and transfer case
- 31-inch all-terrain tires available from the factory
- Water fording depth of 27.5 inches
- Electronic disconnecting front sway bar on Trail and Retro models
Early reviews from journalists who drove prototypes in Australia say it climbs better than the 4Runner TRD Pro in some situations because of the shorter wheelbase and lighter weight (~4,600 lbs).
Conclusion – The Affordable Off-Roader We’ve Been Waiting For
The 2026 Toyota Baby Land Cruiser FJ proves you don’t need to spend $60k+ to get a real, capable, durable off-roader anymore. It brings back everything people loved about the old FJ Cruiser – the looks, the toughness, the personality – but fixes the old one’s flaws with better fuel economy, modern safety tech, and a price that won’t require a second mortgage.
If you’ve always wanted a Land Cruiser capability but could never justify the big one, your truck is finally here.
FAQs
Q: When does the 2026 Baby Land Cruiser FJ go on sale?
A: First deliveries in the U.S. are expected spring 2026, with order books opening late 2025.
Q: Will there be a hybrid version?
A: Toyota has confirmed an i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain coming in 2027 that should push output over 350 hp.
Q: Is it really called “Baby Land Cruiser”?
A: Officially it’s just “Land Cruiser FJ,” but everyone (including Toyota marketing in some regions) calls it the Baby Land Cruiser.
Q: Can you remove the roof like the Bronco?
A: No, it has a fixed roof, but the Retro Edition offers removable roof panels over the front seats as an option.
Q: How does it compare to the new 2025 Toyota 4Runner?
A: The FJ is shorter, lighter, cheaper, and more retro-styled, while the 4Runner is bigger and more family-oriented. Think of the FJ as the fun little brother.
