The FJ name is finally back!
It has been a while since we lost the name of the venerated off-roader in the original FJ Cruiser. That was a retro-styled 4x4 SUV that we think was way ahead of its time. This all-new 2026 Land Cruiser FJ has some of the retro styling that made the previous one such a hit, but eschews the funky look and suicide doors for something a bit more traditional, and dare we say...generic.
It looks much more boxy, with styling cues taken straight from the commercial Tamaraw. This leads us to the biggest sticking point we have seen in the comments of content we’ve posted from our first drive.
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Sticking point? Then you mean the price tag.
There is no beating around the bush, the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ’s price starts at P2,235,000 for the TX variant, with the range-topping VX variant coming in at P2,575,000. In both cases, you need to add P15,000 for the White Pearl option.
That’s…almost the same as the RAV4.
Almost exactly, with the 2026 Toyota RAV4 starting at P2,183,000 and topping out at P2,499,000, sans White Pearl additional charges, the two are very comparable in terms of pricing. This, to us, shows that Toyota has a two-pronged strategy for the price segment. On one hand, you have a compact(ish) hybrid SUV with all the bells and whistles to make your on-road driving an absolute pleasure, while on the other, you get a rugged, utilitarian 4x4 with proper rear diff locks, a low-range gearbox, and boxy looks.
Enough about the price, though—how does it drive?
That’s where the LC FJ claws back some points. For an off-roader, it is decidedly competent on twisty tarmac. The rear coil suspension does provide for a supple ride, as well as good stability in the corners. Yes, it does showcase a slight shimmy in the rear when going over bumps through a corner, but aside from this, it drives surprisingly well for an off-road-focused 4x4. At least compared to the likes of the Jimny, it is much more confident on sealed surfaces.
How’s the engine? Wouldn’t a diesel option be better?
You would assume that, but like the older FJ, it is only available with a gasoline engine. Specifically, it is equipped with the old Fortuner’s 2TR-FE 2.7-liter four-cylinder gas engine mated to a six-speed gearbox. This means the LC FJ outputs 164hp and 245Nm of torque.
While this seems low on paper, in practice, well…yes. Admittedly, it is a bit slow, and doesn’t hold a candle to the 4.0-liter V6 engine from the old FJ Cruiser, but that being said, it does propel the LC FJ with a decent roar and it can comfortably accelerate the SUV at a decent clip. While we wish it had some more power, it is a completely adequate powerplant for the chassis. The LC FJ also didn’t have any problems tackling some steep hills, even when fully loaded with three adults and gear.
It burned through gas, didn’t it?
Not necessarily. Yes, some of the other drivers in our convoy managed to bring economy down to about 6km/L. In our case, with normal, non-economical driving through provincial mountain roads, we were able to achieve and maintain a decent 10-11km/L which we feel, for this engine and transmission, is respectable enough.
Okay, but what about the interior? It looks just like the Tamaraw’s.
The resemblance is generally only skin-deep. The Land Cruiser FJ has much better and more premium materials used in and around the cabin. Soft-touch materials are strategically placed in areas you are likely to feel, and the addition of a much nicer screen in the dashboard, as well as the modern Toyota infotainment, definitely elevates it above its much more commercial sibling.
So it’s worth the price?
Hard to say. It is definitely a lifestyle vehicle, just like the old FJ Cruiser was. For those old enough to remember, that one had its detractors as well, but it turned out to be a certified classic that remains in high demand to this day. Will the all-new Land Cruiser FJ live up to that? Only time will tell, but we feel that these will still sell quite well, as there is undeniable appeal from a retro, boxy-looking off-roader from Toyota.
More photos of the 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ TX:
