The rugged compact SUV is expected to ride on ladder-frame underpinnings and remain true to the off-road legacy of the Land Cruiser family
- A patent drawing reveals a first look at the upcoming Toyota FJ Cruiser.
- The design closely mirrors the official teaser released by Toyota in 2023.
- The SUV is set to debut sometime in 2026, featuring a ladder-frame chassis.
Off-roading fans have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Toyota’s “baby” Land Cruiser, and while the debut has reportedly been delayed until early 2026, the anticipation only seems to grow. But just when you thought the wait couldn’t get any more excruciating, we found a new patent drawing, offering us our clearest look yet at the rugged compact SUV’s exterior.
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Toyota has been pretty tight-lipped since releasing a single teaser of the model in August 2023. Since then, the rumor mill has been working overtime, especially around the ladder-frame, compact off-roader. Many believe it’s set to revive the FJ Cruiser nameplate, though Toyota hasn’t confirmed anything just yet.
Luckily, this patent drawing gives us something more concrete to chew on. While the patent was filed last year, it’s only just made its way into the public domain. We spruced up the image to improve the quality, but other than that, it’s what Toyota has decided to let us see.
A Sneak Peek at the Design
The new image shows a compact SUV with a five-door configuration and a boxy, utilitarian stance. The profile and overall silhouette closely resemble the official teaser Toyota released, right down to the shape of the LED headlights. Other design elements worth noting are the pronounced front fenders, thick C-pillars, and a rear end that’s almost comically vertical, complete with a full-size spare mounted on the tailgate.
The lower part of the body features unpainted plastic cladding that wraps around the bumpers, fenders, and side skirts, all classic off-road styling cues meant to hint at the SUV’s rugged capabilities. Ground clearance looks to be quite generous as well. While patents often include placeholder wheels, it’s easy to imagine this model outfitted with some serious off-road tires.
A Compact Evolution
Looking at the overall design, it’s clear that this model is a natural evolution of the 2021 Compact Cruiser EV concept, though it’s noticeably larger. Japanese reports suggest the production FJ Cruiser will stretch to around 4,500 mm (177.2 inches) in length, which places it firmly in the compact SUV segment.
Unlike the larger, pricier Land Cruiser 250 and 300 Series that ride on Toyota’s more refined TNGA-F platform, the FJ Cruiser will reportedly ride on the IMV-0 platform. This architecture is expected to be shared with the next-generation Hilux and Fortuner, and will likely feature some significant upgrades compared to the current Hilux Champ.
Ready for the Trail
The FJ Cruiser’s ladder-frame chassis promises to make it an off-roading enthusiast’s dream. This setup should give it a notable edge over unibody competitors like the Ford Bronco Sport, making it a solid choice for anyone who prioritizes off-road performance over city driving comfort.
As for what will be powering this future off-road warrior, there’s a good chance we’ll see the 2.7-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine under the hood in at least some markets. Regardless of the powertrain options, Toyota is expected to keep things authentic with a standard 4WD system, staying true to the legacy of the Land Cruiser family.
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While there’s no way to confirm if the patent drawing represents the final production design, it certainly offers an intriguing glimpse of what’s on the horizon. Let’s hope Toyota teases us a bit more before the rumored early 2026 launch.
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