Toyota FJ Cruiser Set to Make a Comeback with a New Frame Shared with the Affordable Hilux Champ Pickup Truck
Toyota is developing a “completely new” SUV based on the IMV 0 frame of the Hilux Champ – a midsize affordable pickup truck introduced by the Japanese automaker in late 2023. This information was initially revealed at the Tokyo Mobility Show back in January.
At that time, Toyota’s CEO of Asia-Pacific and Middle East Operations, Tiến Quốc Hào, confirmed that the Hilux Champ frame is “not limited to pickup trucks” and that “an SUV model using the same frame is under development”.
As of mid-March, a reputable source from the Indian automotive industry, Autocar India, revealed that the upcoming SUV will be named the FJ Cruiser. The FJ Cruiser will have slightly smaller dimensions compared to the Toyota Fortuner and will have close technical ties to its predecessor. This is because the Toyota Fortuner already uses the IMV frame, which is the same as the IMV 0 frame used in the Hilux Champ.
In terms of design, the Toyota FJ Cruiser will have a boxy and rugged style, somewhat similar to the new Land Cruiser Prado. Unlike the shared frame with the Hilux Champ, the Toyota FJ Cruiser is aimed at the mid to high-end segment, featuring a well-equipped, comfortable, and modern interior. The expected wheelbase will be the same as the Fortuner, promising a spacious cabin.
In the past 12 months, there has been an increasing amount of information surrounding the “FJ Cruiser” name. This is because Toyota has registered the copyright for the Land Cruiser FJ name, not to mention the debut of the Toyota FJ Cruiser EV concept in 2022.
Indeed, the FJ Cruiser is a historic name for Toyota, used from 2006 to 2022. The vehicle bearing this name during that period was a rugged SUV that drew inspiration from the legendary FJ40 of the previous century.
However, due to declining sales and some overlap with the Land Cruiser’s position, the FJ Cruiser gradually ceased production, starting as early as 2014 in some markets like the United States.
In Vietnam, the FJ Cruiser, which was occasionally compared to the Hummer H1 in terms of design, sometimes appeared as a used imported vehicle. The reference price seen in the Vietnamese used car market for a Toyota FJ Cruiser is around 1 billion VND, and availability is limited. Before it was discontinued, in 2019, an imported unit was even listed for $168,000 USD, equivalent to over 3.8 billion VND, which was comparable to the price of a Mercedes GLE at that time.
If the Toyota FJ Cruiser does make a comeback, it is expected to have a wider market presence compared to its predecessor, which was only available in certain countries.