Classic Toyota FJ Cruiser vs 2026 LandCruiser FJ spec battle: which is better on paper?

Whereas Toyota Australia has no longer confirmed we will seemingly be getting the 2026 LandCruiser FJ, it’s loyal to bellow the quiz is there for a smaller, more within your ability four-wheel power with loyal off-toll road capabilities. Not everyone desires or desires a corpulent-size Tundra at the tip of the day.

When the distinctive FJ Cruiser launched in Australia abet in 2011, it moreover bought out of the ordinary hype. Sadly, this used to be in an period when diesel-powered 4x4s had been gaining big standing in Australia, which implies the FJ Cruiser used to be loyal now polarising thanks to its petrol-simplest powertrain.

Whereas these nods to the past are cold for Toyota fanatics, on the varied facet of that coin, others merely didn’t gel with the appears to be of the retro FJ Cruiser. Combined with the perceived unfavorable blow of petrol strength simplest, and heaps disregarded what has confirmed to be a fun, sturdy and reliable 4×4 globally.

With essentially the most contemporary announcement of the fresh 2026 LandCruiser FJ, we belief it would possibly per chance well even be simplest fitting to sit down down down and review specifications on paper between these two off-roaders brooding about the amount of hype and ardour that surrounds it.

As soon as but again, folks are divided on what now we have seen to this level – but which one comes out on high when compared specs wise?

What non-public these two 4x4s fee?

This one is somewhat varied, as one automobile is now simplest offered on the extinct market, and one doesn’t exist but. But let’s race thru some scenarios to color a image.

When released in 2011, a brand fresh FJ Cruiser would fee $44,990 before on-roads. Taking into fable inflation, that figure would enlighten between $62,000- $68,000 at the moment. In 2025, that identical automobile on the extinct market costs roughly $24,000 to $31,500.

If we demand at the more tremendous 2013 and up objects, which have twin-gasoline tanks and CRAWL Regulate (works as off-toll road Cruise Regulate) usual, these began at $47,990 when fresh and now sell for between $31,000 and $42,000 on the extinct market.

That’s insanely intellectual resale worth, proving there would possibly be quiz for the FJ mark in Australia.

It’s anticipated the LandCruiser FJ would possibly per chance well be priced at approximately $60,000 if it lands on local soil in step with our most contemporary document. The closest logical competitor to this automobile, the Suzuki Jimny XL, begins at nearly $40,000 power-away.

Right here is simplest hypothesis, and essentially the most elementary recordsdata we would supply at the time of e-newsletter. But it indubitably’s sure that the fresh model will seemingly be more costly than the basic FJ Cruiser.

That’s a win for the extinct FJ Cruiser, then but again, as already talked about, the solid resale worth will simplest continue to climb.

Engines, drivetrains and 4×4 hardware

The 1GR-FE 4.0L V6 naturally aspirated engine camouflage within the FJ Cruiser is a solid reliable unit. Doubtlessly the most elementary loyal plan back to them is that they like a drink. Finances around 12-15L/100km of premium gasoline (or E10 in that case inclined) and also you’ll be on the money.

On the plus facet, 2013 objects and up reach with twin-gasoline-tanks totaling 159L gasoline capacity, you’ll be in a put to commute no longer lower than 1000-1200km with out refuelling (Editorial Display camouflage: I’ve examined this and made it 1250km before refuelling when stock – now modified and I dare no longer establish fable anymore).

Energy wise, later objects of the FJ Cruiser produced 200kW and 380Nm. All came with a 5-velocity automated transmission, and rear-wheel power when on-toll road with shift-on-the-flee 4×4 with low-vary reduction gearing in Australia.

Fun truth, the American market moreover bought the choice of a handbook transmission that extinct the corpulent-time 4×4 machine from the Prado. Why we didn’t receive corpulent-time 4×4 right here’s a mystery.

The fresh FJ LandCruiser is down on strength compared to the FJ Cruiser, coming in with 120kW and 246Nm. It moreover doesn’t consume a six-cylinder engine, which is traditionally camouflage in anything FJ.

What Toyota has within the starting up offered globally is their 2.7L four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine with a six-velocity automated transmission. This has been around for a decade, and extinct within the neighborhood in entry level Toyota Hilux objects.

Whereas each and each are confirmed engines, the FJ Cruiser gets the win by manner of the engine and strength output. That 4.0L V6 has loads of insist, with many owners reporting hitting effectively over 500,000km with out inform.

Which FJ is more healthy off-toll road?

The FJ Cruiser is undoubtedly one of essentially the most succesful four-wheel drives to roll off the Toyota manufacturing line. With a shorter wheelbase than the Prado chassis it is fixed with, as well to excellent manner and departure angles, it used to be constructed for off-toll road adventure.

Then there’s the rear-selectable electronically activated differential lock and mighty traction establish a watch on machine called A-TRAC.

This indubitably operates like a front diff lock that doesn’t obstruct the driver’s steering in actuality feel or operation like a locked front diff does. Wise stuff certainly, that truly works within the particular world.

Neatly, the intellectual news is that abilities has trickled all the manner down to all contemporary Toyota 4x4s. All the pieces from the LandCruiser, to Hilux and Fortuner has what many would call class-main traction establish a watch on programs, which support ship strength to tyres with grip, and kill spinning tyres the consume of the auto’s braking machine.

First observations seek a rear differential lock suited to the LandCruiser FJ, as well to a low-vary transfer case, indicating this certainly will seemingly be a succesful off-roader.

Toyota says the LandCruiser FJ has the identical quantity of suspension commute as a Seventy nine Sequence LandCruiser, which is no longer the flex they think it is (pun absolutely meant). 70 Sequence ‘Cruisers have the suspension commute of a home brick.

With nimble dimensions, a lighter footprint and contemporary abilities though, there’s no motive to think it obtained’t sustain off-toll road. Let’s call this a tie between the two for fairness.

How loyal are the FJ Cruiser and LandCruiser FJ?

Whereas experiences from householders camouflage the FJ Cruiser is a solid automobile being indubitably an egg fashioned body, there’s no manner to match this. The FJ Cruiser used to be never examined at ANCAP, nor given an decent security ranking.

Security sides incorporated are sparse compared to contemporary vehicles, with simplest front-and-facet airbags. There’s indubitably nothing like lane preserving support or self driving, which brings a refreshing lack of beeps and bongs to the driving abilities on the flip facet.

The FJ Cruiser did receive Anti-Lock Brakes, Balance Regulate, Traction Regulate and Electronic Brake Power Distribution though, so it’s no longer a total dinosaur.

It’s a loyal bet to receive that the 2026 LandCruiser FJ would possibly per chance well be aiming to receive a 5-star ANCAP ranking, if it had been to be examined within the neighborhood. And would have some distance more security programs, and airbags.

In the decent press birth, Toyota mentions the LandCruiser FJ will receive their Security Sense energetic security equipment with functions akin to Pre-collision Security Machine.

The beginner gets the nod within the security department.

Closing verdict: which specification is simplest?

Right here’s a elaborate one to acknowledge as we will’t review the pair on equal ground, and eventually we’re excellent taking a have a look at specs, for now no longer lower than.

On one hand it’s big to stare a brand fresh, smaller four-wheel power enter the market with Toyota’s loyal off-toll road skill. Even when it’s no longer confirmed the least bit if Australia can even seek the component. But, it’s in actuality a scaled-down model of the FJ Cruiser. It’s the FJ Cruiser-lite whenever you are going to.

We non-public hope that Toyota Australia does carry the LandCruiser FJ to local markets, then but again, and particularly demand forward to seeing what our clear aftermarket change does to the platform.

Unless that second, it’s loyal to bellow the excessive resale worth the FJ Cruiser experiences is decided to loiter around. And for intellectual motive.

(Stout disclosure, the author owns a 2013 FJ Cruiser – but he used to be told to protect up his biased opinions to himself… he has tried).

FJ vs FJ at a opinion