Engine Details Of The Returning Toyota FJ Cruiser Surface

2 months ago - 30 September 2025, Carbuzz

Rumors of a returning FJ Cruiser have been on the grapevine for years – and not without merit, as Toyota has also teased so with various concepts over the years. With the defunct FJ Cruiser being a cult favorite across markets, we're not surprised by the attention it got from fans. If you're one of those hoping for its revival, new information from Japan points to steady progress.

Creative Trend, a Japanese outlet with solid insider information – having accurately leaked the Honda Prelude's pricing ahead of its domestic debut – now cites unnamed sources who say the modern FJ will launch with a single powertrain. According to the report, Toyota plans to use a 2.7-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder gasoline engine – a power plant used in the Land Cruiser 250 offered in markets outside the US – when the compact Land Cruiser FJ goes on sale in Japan around spring 2026.

Earlier this year, a design filing through the Philippine Intellectual Property Office revealed the FJ's shape. The patent, submitted in January 2024 and uncovered in March 2025, depicts a compact SUV that borrows cues from the 2022 Compact Cruiser EV concept, but with conventional proportions more suitable for an internal-combustion vehicle.

The upcoming FJ is expected to ride on the IMV-0 ladder-frame platform, the same architecture that supports the Hilux Champ in Southeast Asia. That chassis is a derivative of Toyota's long-running IMV setup used by the Hilux and Fortuner, meaning it can accommodate internal-combustion, hybrid, or even electric power. Toyota, however, appears to be starting simple: Creative Trend reports no diesel option, which aligns with Toyota's current stand on these oil-burning mills, and there is no confirmation of a hybrid at launch.

Is The NA Four-Pot A Fitting Setup?
The decision to debut with a 2.7-liter gasoline engine may leave some enthusiasts wanting more, especially those who remember the original FJ's V6 punch. If Toyota eventually offers the revived FJ Cruiser in North America, the powertrain could change. A hybrid system similar to the US-spec Land Cruiser (not the bigger LC300 for the Middle East), or a different gasoline engine, would meet market expectations and emissions regulations.

For now, all of these details remain unconfirmed. Toyota has not publicly acknowledged the new FJ, and the company is known for keeping such projects under wraps until the last moment. The FJ's unveiling has been pegged for the 2025 Japan Mobility Show in late October, so we expect concrete (and official) information to surface soon. Until then, these leaks – no matter how consistent – should be taken with a pinch of salt. Fortunately, we'll be on the ground at the biennial event, so keep us on your radar for the latest updates.