0:00 / 0:00
Ep. 309: Is The New Toyota Land Cruiser FJ The Newest Forbidden Fruit?

Ep. 309: Is The New Toyota Land Cruiser FJ The Newest Forbidden Fruit?

TFL Car Chat Nov 03, 2025 54 min
0:00
0:00

About this episode

The latest episode dives into the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ showcased at the Tokyo Mobility Show, highlighting its unique design and off-road capabilities. The hosts discuss its compact size, robust features like a snorkel and solid frame, and express hope for its availability in North America. They also touch on the vehicle's interior, which combines familiar Toyota elements with modern comforts. The episode features engaging discussions on various Toyota concepts, including the futuristic Lexus models and the innovative approach to mobility, making it a fascinating listen for fans of automotive design and technology.

Filter:
|
Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Toyota Land

"So what we're looking at here is a Toyota Land Cruiser, and this is a model called the Land Cruiser FJ."

The Toyota Land Cruiser is a tough SUV that can handle rough terrains and is built to last. It's popular among people who like to go off-road and explore nature.

Car

Toyota Cruiser Fj

"...and Cruiser, and this is a model called the Land Cruiser FJ. And Dad, if someone is listening to this podcas..."

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a tough SUV that looks a bit like old-fashioned cars but is built for off-roading. People who like to explore the outdoors often love this car because it can handle rough trails.

Car

Suzuki Jimny

"You know, it looks like, if you know the Suzuki Jimny, it looks like the Suzuki Jimny that went to the gym and bulked up."

The Suzuki Jimny is a small SUV that's great for off-roading. It has a unique boxy shape and is very maneuverable, making it fun to drive in rough areas.

Car

Jeep Renegade

"Or a Renegade, like a Jeep Renegade that kind of..."

The Jeep Renegade is a small SUV from Jeep that can handle off-road conditions. It has a modern look and is fun to drive around town or on trails.

Part

snorkel

"...what impresses me from the get-go is, look, we've got a snorkel. Yeah, exactly right."

A snorkel is a pipe that brings air into the engine from above the vehicle. It's helpful for off-road driving, especially in muddy or dusty conditions, to keep the engine running smoothly.

Car

Toyota Fortuner

"this is based on the IMV architecture, which is the underpinning of the Toyota Hilux, the Toyota Fortuner."

The Toyota Fortuner is an SUV that shares its design with the Hilux truck. It's great for families and can also go off-road.

Car

Toyota Hilux

"...tecture, which is the underpinning of the Toyota Hilux, the Toyota Fortuner. I think, if I remember cor..."
Part

plastic bumper

"...it's a massive plastic bumper that leads right into these big, kind of cladded arches that make our way down the side of the vehicle."

A plastic bumper is the part of a car that helps protect it from minor accidents. It's made of plastic and is designed to absorb hits without causing too much damage to the car.

Part

beefier tire

"...I also like the fact that this one has a little bit beefier tire on it, so this is an open country from Toyo, of course."

A beefier tire means a thicker or wider tire that can handle rougher roads better. It helps the car grip the ground more firmly, especially in tough conditions.

Term

265/65R17

"This is a 26565R17. So this is like a 31-ish inch tall tire, if my numbers are correct."

This is a way to describe the size of a tire. The first number is how wide the tire is, the second number tells you how tall the tire's side is compared to its width, and the last part shows the size of the wheel it fits.

Term

31-inch tall tire

"So this is like a 31-ish inch tall tire, if my numbers are correct. It looks a lot more beefy."

This is how tall the tire is when it's fully inflated. It's important because it affects how the car handles and how fast it can go.

Term

6-lug

"It's a 6-lug. Wow."

This means there are six holes where the wheel attaches to the car. More holes usually mean the wheel is stronger and can handle heavier vehicles.

Part

ARB step/rock rail

"And then to the left of it, you've got an ARB step slash rock rail, actually. Yeah, very cool."

An ARB step or rock rail is a metal bar attached to the side of off-road vehicles. It protects the vehicle from rocks and helps you get in and out more easily.

Part

ARB roof rack

"On top is the ARB roof rack. So Toyota has certainly thought about taking this off-road..."

An ARB roof rack is a platform on top of a vehicle where you can carry extra stuff like luggage or camping gear. It's especially useful for off-road trips.

Car

Toyota RAV4

"...underneath the 4Runner, you get to the RAV4."

The Toyota RAV4 is a smaller SUV that's good for everyday driving and family use. It's popular because it's reliable and has a lot of space inside.

Car

Toyota 4Runner

"...o in the Toyota lineup, at least, underneath the 4Runner, you get to the RAV4. And the RAV4 Woodland is b..."
Term

off-roader

"...this could live in that space as a real off-roader, right?"

An off-roader is a type of vehicle that can drive on rough roads or trails, not just regular streets. They are built to handle bumps, rocks, and dirt.

Term

locker

"Because it's got a locker. Yeah, right."

A locker helps both wheels on the same axle move together, which is great for driving on rough surfaces. It makes it easier to get through tough spots like mud or rocks.

Term

low-range

"And it's got a real low-range as well."

Low-range gearing helps the vehicle move slowly but with a lot of power. It's useful for driving on steep hills or rough paths where you need more control.

Term

body on frame

"Now, when we look at the actual platform, this is, as you mentioned, dead body on frame. I put the camera underneath there."

Body-on-frame means that the main structure of the vehicle is built like a truck, with a strong frame underneath that supports the body. This makes it tougher for off-road driving.

Term

independent front suspension

"Recovery points, independent front suspension, and then it does have a solid rear out back."

Independent front suspension means that each front wheel can move up and down separately. This helps the car handle bumps better and makes the ride smoother.

Term

solid rear axle

"So there is some actual off-road tech. So the problem that I have with the Renegade is it looks pretty chunky and frail-ready..."

A solid rear axle means that the two back wheels are connected by a single piece. This makes the vehicle stronger and better for off-roading.

Car

Toyota Tacoma

"in a forerunner or a Tacoma. Same thing with the shifter."

The Toyota Tacoma is a small truck that is great for off-roading and is very reliable. Many people use it for work or outdoor activities.

Term

four-wheel drive

"For example, it does have your four-wheel drive selector with a low-range and a locking rear differential."

Four-wheel drive means that power goes to all four wheels of the car, which helps it grip the road better, especially in tough driving conditions like snow or mud.

Term

locking rear differential

"with a low-range and a locking rear differential. That is super cool."

A locking rear differential helps both back wheels turn together, which is useful when driving on bumpy or slippery ground to avoid getting stuck.

Term

adaptive cruise control

"It does have adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, all that's going to be familiar."

Adaptive cruise control helps your car keep a safe distance from the car ahead by automatically slowing down or speeding up. It's a helpful feature for long drives.

Car

Toyota Corolla

"...an go back up here because we're going to hit the Corolla next. Yeah."

The Toyota Corolla is a small car that many people buy because it's known to last a long time and doesn't use much gas. It's popular around the world, which means lots of people trust it for getting around without spending too much money.

Term

naturally aspirated

"This is a naturally aspirated 2.7, which I think is related to the old 2.7 we got in the third-gen Tacoma, and it's been for sale for about 400 years."

A naturally aspirated engine gets air into it just from the outside air, without any extra help from a turbo or supercharger. This can make the engine feel more responsive when you press the gas pedal.

Car

Lexus LFA

"... side of the car. Yeah, it's got a little bit of LFA in it too, but I love this kind of honk that make..."

The Lexus LFA is a really fancy sports car that was made in limited numbers, meaning there aren't many of them out there. It's famous for being super fast and sounding amazing when it drives.

Car

Ford Model T

"...eard, I was talking to somebody and they said the Model T came that way, too. It came in a crate at some p..."

The Ford Model T is one of the first cars that regular people could afford, and it changed how cars were made. It was built in a way that made it cheaper and faster to produce, which helped more families own cars.

Concept

K-Car

"Here in Japan, there's a classification of vehicle called the K-Car, which is an ultra-lightweight, ultra-small, ultra-low-powered vehicle, which is low taxes."

K-Cars are tiny cars in Japan that are cheaper to own because they have smaller engines and take up less space. They are great for city driving where parking is hard to find.

Car

Daihatsu Move

"...coming around to the back of this thing, there you can see it's called the Daihatsu Move. This is how little I know about the move."

The Daihatsu Move is a small car that's very practical and efficient, often used in cities. It's part of a category of cars in Japan called K cars, which are designed to be lightweight and easy to drive.

Car

Toyota LFA

"...if this is the next and future LFA, I think that they're going to do so well with it. Now I did see this originally in its Toyota form..."

The Toyota LFA is a special sports car made by Toyota. It's famous for its powerful engine and unique design, and not many were made, which makes it very valuable.

Car

Lucid Air

"What is it? The Lucid Air. Oh."

The Lucid Air is a new electric car that looks really nice and can drive a long way on a single charge. It's part of a new wave of cars that run on electricity instead of gas.

Car

Lexus LS

"Now this is apparently Akio's vision of modern luxury. It's a six wheel mini van. So this is called the Lexus LS, which used to stand for what, Tommy?"

The Lexus LS is a large luxury car made by Lexus, which is Toyota's luxury division. It's designed to be very comfortable and packed with high-end features.

Car

Kia EV9

"Where? EV9. EV9?"

The Kia EV9 is a new electric SUV that has a lot of space inside and is designed to be good for families. It's part of Kia's plan to make more cars that run on electricity instead of gas.

Car

Toyota Crown

"...at you think of a car. But imagine like a Toyota Crown, where it's a tall crown. It's kind of this hybr..."

The Toyota Crown is a big, fancy car that people in Japan have been driving for a long time. It's known for being really comfortable and having lots of cool technology inside.

Car

Toyota Century

"...lly, really crazy that Toyota is doing. What the Toyota Century is, is a very high in prestigious model that has..."

The Toyota Century is a really fancy car made mostly for people in Japan, and it's known for being very high quality and elegant. It's often used by important people, like government officials.

Car

Hyundai Genesis

"...rand. So think of like Hyundai used to build the Genesis and now Genesis is his own thing. Toyota used to..."

The Hyundai Genesis is a nice car that was made by Hyundai to compete with other luxury cars. It has lots of fancy features but is usually cheaper than other luxury brands.

Car

Buick Century

"... doesn't look like it's a it's a Phoenix. So the Century currently sold in Japan. What we're looking at h..."

The Buick Century is a comfortable car that many families used to drive because it has a lot of space and is easy to handle. It was made for a long time, so lots of people remember it.

Car

Bentley Bentayga

"... competes with, like you said, the colonnade, the Bentayga, if you're in Bentley world, right?"

The Bentley Bentayga is a super expensive luxury SUV that has lots of powerful engines and fancy features. It's made for people who want a really nice car that can also go off-road.

Car

Rolls-Royce Rolls Royce Ghost

"...t you know what this looks like? It looks like a Rolls Royce Ghost. It looks like a Rolls Royce Phantom."

The Rolls-Royce Ghost is another really fancy car that is known for being elegant and powerful. It's a bit less flashy than the Phantom but still very luxurious and special.

Car

Rolls-Royce Phantom

"...a Rolls Royce Ghost. It looks like a Rolls Royce Phantom. It's very old world money."

The Rolls-Royce Phantom is a super fancy car that costs a lot of money and is known for being very luxurious. It's made with the best materials and is often seen as a symbol of wealth.

Car

Chrysler Imperial

"...o back in the 1950s and 1960s, Cadillac, Lincoln, Imperial, right? They all built these huge coupes that we..."

The Chrysler Imperial was a really fancy car made a long time ago that people bought when they wanted something special. It was known for being stylish and having lots of luxury features.

24 cars featured

Request an Explanation

Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.

Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.

Want to learn more?

Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.

Explore Terms

Help improve this episode

See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.

Report incorrect info
Suggest better explanations
Flag missing cars