Toyota May Bring Back Small FJ Cruiser to Challenge Jeep Wrangler

Toyota is likely going to build a small 4×4 SUV—along the lines of the cult-popular FJ Cruiser sport-utility vehicle, but on a smaller wheelbase—to appeal to hard-core off-roaders.

The automaker is studying several ideas that could lead to a production model, Toyota Motor North America CEO Jim Lentz said that in an exclusive interview at the 2018 Detroit auto show.

“There’s room for an authentic small off-road SUV, “ Lentz told Motor Trend. “Everyone moved out of that segment because of truck CAFE ratings. But we’re getting a lot of requests from folks who want another FJ or some variant.”

Although Lentz did not provide a timeframe for when such a vehicle could reach market, in his normally cautious Toyota-speak, his comments essentially reflected that Toyota would build such a vehicle.

Toyota has already shown a few rugged SUV concepts, such as the FT-4X at the New York auto show, and the FT-AC concept at the Los Angeles auto show. But many in the press assumed those were merely Toyota’s design studios stretching their legs in anticipation of the next RAV4.

But Lentz said those concepts are “along the lines” of a 4WD vehicle Toyota wants to have in the lineup—in addition to RAV4.

“There is room on the lower end, in terms of price or authenticity, for an off-road, frame-based SUV,” Lentz said. “This would be for people going outdoors, but truly going offroad. This would not be all-wheel-drive for safety, this would be four-wheel-drive with ground clearance.”

Lentz noted that the increased capability of all-wheel drive, car-based platforms has made cargo and towing specifications almost on par with four-wheel-drive, framed platforms.

“The difference is in wheel travel, and you can only do that with frame-based,” Lentz said. “This could be FJ sized, but for an enthusiast, it’s gotta be something with a small wheelbase to be more maneuverable when in the rocks.”

What does that mean for the larger 4Runner and Sequoia, which are showing their age?

“There’s market demand for frame-based SUVs, but we have to crunch all the CAFE numbers to see if there’s room for them,” Lentz said. “4Runner continues to do well, but the softest segment is for big SUVs.”

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