Toyota Land Cruiser FJ: A Detailed Look at the "Baby Land Cruiser"

Exterior Design and Off-Road Focus

• 🏞️ The new Land Cruiser FJ is designed to resemble a smaller version of the current Land Cruiser, featuring heritage Toyota lettering and a boxy grill.
• ✨ Notable design elements include flat side panels, LED fog lights, and squared-off headlights, with potential for rounded options.
• 🛞 Aggressive over fenders and flat plastic accents suggest an intention for off-road use, allowing owners to get the vehicle dirty without concern.
• ⚙️ The wheel package includes 265/60R18 all-terrain tires on blacked-out 18-inch wheels, though a 17-inch option would be more off-road focused.

Interior Features and Simplicity

• 🎛️ The interior is intentionally simple, featuring a basic dash and glove box, but incorporates a large, approximately 12.3-inch display similar to the larger Land Cruiser.
• 🔊 Physical controls for AC and a mechanical volume knob are present, though the volume knob's placement is noted as inconvenient.
• 🕹️ Off-road controls include hill descent, a second gear start option, and a transfer case control with 2H, 4H, and 4L settings, along with traction control off and a locking rear differential.
• ✋ A mechanical handbrake and a simple, small center console contribute to the utilitarian interior design.

Rear Design and Cargo Space

• 💡 The rear design features cool, three-dimensional tail lights that jut out from the vehicle.
• 🔩 A full-size spare tire is mounted on the rear, necessitating a swing-out tailgate instead of a traditional fold-up liftgate.
• 📦 The cargo area offers a decent amount of space, with seats that can be folded flat or flipped up, similar to the larger Land Cruiser.
• 🛠️ The door panels are basic, with plastic construction and bottle holders, indicating a focus on durability and a budget-friendly approach.

Powertrain and US Market Availability

• 🐎 The vehicle is equipped with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine producing 161 horsepower, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel-drive system.
• ❌ Unfortunately, this model is not expected to be released in the US due to it not being crash-tested for the US market, as it's based on the Hilux platform.
• 🤔 There is a possibility of it coming to the US in the future if demand overseas proves significant enough to warrant a US market entry.

Driver's Perspective and Controls

• 🖥️ The driver's side features a squared-off steering wheel and a full digital gauge cluster.
• 🔌 Blank switches are included for potential auxiliary equipment installation, showing thoughtful consideration for customization.
• 🌟 Despite not coming to the US, the reviewer expresses excitement about the vehicle and believes it would be well-liked if it were available.