Much has been said about the return of the legendary Toyota FJ Cruiser in the form of the 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ. The best part is that Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) even confirmed that the off-road model is set to make its local debut this year. Now, the latest buzz about the Land Cruiser FJ is that it could eventually gain a diesel-powered variant in the near future, expanding its appeal beyond the gasoline variant.
According to a report by Japanese media outlet Creative Trend, Toyota is considering adding a 2.8-liter turbocharged diesel powerplant to the compact body-on-frame SUV around 2029. This engine is already used in the Land Cruiser 250, Hilux, and HiAce, all benefiting from its proven durability. As welcome as this news is, Creative Trend clarified that Toyota has not officially confirmed the diesel variant of the FJ, making this information speculative at this stage.
The Toyota Land Cruiser FJ is designed as a smaller, more accessible member of the brand’s off-road lineup. It is motivated by a 2.7-liter non-turbo gasoline engine that makes 161 hp and 246 Nm of torque, controlled by a 6-speed automatic transmission that drives all four wheels via part-time 4WD system. If speculation turns into reality, the potential diesel addition would significantly enhance the FJ’s low-end torque, towing capacity, and off-road performance, aligning it with Toyota’s heavy-duty SUVs in terms of what it could do on and beyond the asphalt.
It is worth noting that the arrival of a diesel-powered Land Cruiser FJ could be pushed forward, delayed, or even put aside, depending on many factors, including market demand, regulatory challenges, or emissions considerations. However, keep in mind that the 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine is already engineered for multiple regions, making it a logical candidate if Toyota decides to level up the FJ’s off-road performance globally.
If introduced, a diesel-powered Toyota Land Cruiser FJ would broaden the nameplate’s market appeal, combining compact proportions with rugged mechanicals. Moreover, it would complement Toyota’s existing internal combustion and hybrid lineup in regions where diesel remains popular.
For now, the diesel FJ remains a projection, a positive “what if” that is based on supplier familiarity and historical precedent rather than official confirmation. As such, enthusiasts and industry watchers will closely monitor Toyota’s roadmap, especially as the Land Cruiser FJ approaches its global rollout in the coming years.
Autocar’s Take
To us, Toyota adding a turbo-diesel variant to the Land Cruiser FJ would make strong commercial sense, particularly in markets that value torque and durability over outright speed. In the Philippines, diesel remains the dominant fuel choice for SUVs and pickups because of efficiency and long-distance usability. A 2.8-liter turbo-diesel FJ could therefore resonate with provincial buyers and outdoor enthusiasts seeing serious four-wheel-drive performance in a compact footprint.
Still, Toyota must find a way to balance emissions compliance and pricing pressures. If done right, a diesel FJ could become one of the brand’s most compelling offerings, something that could challenge the likes of the Suzuki Jimny or the Jetour T1, small off-road adventure SUVs available in the market today.
