LOOK: Toyota Land Cruiser FJ spotted in Thailand, coming to PH soon?

Toyota reportedly testing turbo-diesel version of Land Cruiser FJ

Toyota revealed one heck of a vehicle at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show when they showed the Land Cruiser FJ. It now serves as the gateway model to the Land Cruiser lineup and sits on a body-on-frame platform derived from Toyota's IMV models (i.e., Hilux, Fortuner, Innova, and Hiace) and is equipped with a part-time 4WD system.

Toyota has confirmed the Land Cruiser FJ will be manufactured in Thailand for Southeast Asian markets. At the time of its reveal, however, the upcoming SUV was only revealed with a 2.7L 2TR-FE four-cylinder gasoline engine. While the engine has proven its worth in the Fortuner and other Toyota models, a turbo-diesel engine would be the optimal choice in markets like Southeast Asia.

As luck would have it, an eagle-eyed social media user was able to spot the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ being tested somewhere in Bangkok, Thailand. Despite the automaker's efforts to hide its exterior with a camouflage livery, it's quite clear it's the Land Cruiser FJ. From the rear-mounted spare tire to the boxy exterior, as well as the distinct roof rails & wheel arches, it's quite apparent that this is the soon-to-be-launched Toyota Land Cruiser FJ.

So why still hide the Land Cruiser FJ? Well, the camouflaged unit Toyota is currently testing in Thailand has something special. Instead of a 2.7L gasoline engine, the Land Cruiser FJ being driven in Bangkok is apparently powered by a turbo-diesel engine. There are no exact details yet about the supposed turbo-diesel powertrain of the Land Cruiser FJ, but we won't be surprised if the automaker is using the 2GD-FTV 2.4L engine

The 2GD-FTV turbo-diesel is already seeing use in certain variants of the Fortuner & Hilux and the Tamaraw (AKA Hilux Champ). It makes 150 PS with 400 Nm of torque when coupled to a 6-speed automatic and 150 PS with 343 Nm of pull when paired with a 5-speed manual transmission.

Should it be true that Toyota is testing a diesel-powered version of the Land Cruiser FJ, they could offer it to more markets that prefer a turbo-diesel SUV. In the Philippines alone, the 2.7L gas-powered Fortuner was dropped from the lineup in late 2020, as most customers opted for the 2.4L and 2.8L turbo-diesel models.

With Toyota busy testing the Land Cruiser FJ in Thailand, we're keeping our fingers crossed that the automaker officially launches it later this year. Once it's revealed in The Land of Smiles, we can expect the all-new Land Cruiser FJ to arrive in the Philippines soon after.

Source: Motor Thailand via Creative 311