On 28/7, Toyota Vietnam (TMV) launched the small SUV, the Land Cruiser FJ. The vehicle is already at dealerships, with initial batches delivered to customers, priced at 1.198 billion VND.

The Toyota Land Cruiser FJ is the Japanese automaker's fourth body-on-frame SUV sold in Vietnam. It is the smallest in size, positioned below its larger siblings: the Fortuner, Land Cruiser Prado, and Land Cruiser.

The Land Cruiser FJ is built on the IMV platform, also used for other products like the Fortuner and Hilux. It is currently manufactured exclusively in Thailand, serving both the domestic market and export to other regions.

The Land Cruiser FJ features a boxy design. Photo: Toyota

Masculine front grille.

The Land Cruiser FJ model at a dealership. Photo: Nguyen Vu

Wheelbase dimensions comparable to A+ segment models. Photo: Nguyen Vu

Intelligent led headlights. Photo: Nguyen Vu

Rear-mounted spare wheel. Photo: Nguyen Vu

Led daytime running lights. Photo: Nguyen Vu

Side-opening rear door. Photo: Nguyen Vu

The Toyota model has a wheelbase of 2,580 mm, slightly larger than A+ segment CUVs such as the Hyundai Venue and Toyota Raize. With a length of 4,575 mm and a width of 1,855 mm, the Land Cruiser FJ nearly enters the C-segment CUV category, but its height of 1,950 mm is superior.

The Land Cruiser FJ resembles a smaller, more playful version of its sibling, the Land Cruiser Prado. Its rugged character is evident in the SUV's boxy overall shape, muscular design elements at the front, and prominent hood. The vehicle features wide wheel arches, thick plastic cladding, and a high ground clearance of 245 mm.

Toyota states that the front and rear bumpers are removable. This design allows owners to easily replace damaged parts and reduces repair costs.

The Toyota model features a side-opening rear door with a spare tire mounted on the tailgate, almost entirely obscuring the rear window. This design style evokes classic FJ Cruiser models.

The Land Cruiser FJ is offered in a single variant in Vietnam, equipped with 18-inch wheels. It features a MacPherson strut front suspension and a 4-link rear dependent suspension. Adaptive led headlights are standard.

The Land Cruiser FJ's interior design draws heavily from the Hilux and Land Cruiser. It features a masculine three-spoke steering wheel, a 7-inch instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity.

The Land Cruiser FJ cockpit.

12.3-inch infotainment screen. Photo: Nguyen Vu

7-inch speedometer. Photo: Nguyen Vu

Masculine-style steering wheel. Photo: Nguyen Vu

Function buttons near the gear lever. Photo: Nguyen Vu

Apart from the central infotainment screen, most other function buttons are physical controls, making them easy for the driver to operate and remember. The vehicle also retains a traditional mechanical handbrake.

The Land Cruiser FJ is powered by a 2.7-liter 2TR-FE gasoline engine, producing 163 hp and 246 Nm of peak torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and part-time four-wheel drive. This familiar engine has been used in the Fortuner since 2005. Additional features include a limited-slip differential and a 2nd gear start button for optimal traction control on slippery surfaces.

Toyota's high-riding model features traditional hydraulic power steering, prioritizing durability and maintaining a natural driving feel in challenging off-road conditions. The Japanese automaker states that the vehicle's large steering shaft diameter ensures more precise feedback and reduces vibration.

The Land Cruiser FJ is equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). These include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, pre-collision warning, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, hill-start assist, downhill assist control, and a 360-degree camera.

While appealing to off-road enthusiasts, Toyota's inclusion of numerous convenience features and ADAS technologies in the Land Cruiser FJ indicates a strategy to attract daily drivers who view it as a recreational vehicle, offering a fresh experience. The provision of official accessories for vehicle upgrades further underscores TMV's strategy.

Priced at nearly 1.2 billion VND, making it more expensive than the standard Fortuner (1.155 billion VND), and with a wheelbase only slightly larger than A+ segment cars, the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ is not aimed at the mass market. Customers interested in this model typically already own one or more oto.

In Vietnam, the Land Cruiser FJ currently has no direct competitors in terms of design and price. A more affordable alternative is the Suzuki Jimny, imported from Japan, priced at 789 million VND. Compared to the Jimny, the Land Cruiser FJ is significantly larger in all dimensions.

Thanh Nhan