Currently, the rumor mill loves to guess what double introduction comes next for the world's largest carmaker, Toyota. According to the imaginative realm of digital car content creators, we should bet our lunch money on the revived FJ Cruiser and the next 4Runner SUVs.
The Japanese automaker presented a lot of novelties this year in America – the Corolla Cross Hybrid, the Prius 'Hybrid Reborn' Prime in plug-in hybrid form, the 2024 Grand Highlander three-row long-wheelbase crossover SUV, a bundle of new additions to the Nightshade club, three GR special editions (GR86 Trueno, GR Corolla Circuit, GR Supra 45th Anniversary), as well as a quartet of superstars during the latter part of the year. Those include the N400 Tacoma mid-size pickup truck, the returning 2024 Land Cruiser (also dubbed Prado or 250 in certain regions), as well as the recently unveiled 2025 Camry mid-size sedan, and the Crown Signia flagship crossover SUV.
That's probably what makes the rumor mill and the parallel universes of vehicular CGI so eager to guess what comes next – they want to end the year on an apotheotic note so everyone and their mother imagine there can only be two more apparitions. First, we should all brace – but especially the Ford Bronco Sport or maybe even the big Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler – for the potential arrival of the Land Cruiser FJ, the spiritual successor of the beloved FJ Cruiser retro-styled adventurer.
Secondly, everyone really thinks the 4Runner is long overdue for a complete overhaul, and most discussions revolve around the SUV taking lots of DNA from the N400 Tacoma, including the front fascia styling and the i-Force Max hybrid plus regular 2.4-liter turbo mills. As such, it is no wonder the good folks over at the Car Release TV channel on YouTube have the next 4Runner looking like a mix between the old-school looks of the current generation and the new-school vibes of the N400 Tacoma.
However, let us revisit the whole commotion triggered by a new Toyota trademark for the Land Cruiser FJ nameplate. The peeps over at the PoloTo channel on YouTube disagree that's going to be the name of the FJ Cruiser's successor and instead want us to believe that the automaker will revive the FJ Cruiser with a fully electric powertrain under the hood.
Well, that's highly unlikely – but also not impossible. Remember, Toyota is seemingly preparing the release of a new bZ electric crossover SUV, tentatively named 'bZ5X' by the news outlets, and also presented the all-electric Land Cruiser Se concept at the inaugural edition of the Japan Mobility Show. So, at the very least, it would have a powertrain that an electric FJ Cruiser revival could use.
As for the looks, do you agree with the resident pixel master's vision?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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