Before getting to the bits I like, let’s talk about the fuel efficiency aspect first. This isn’t the Land Cruiser FJ’s strongest suit. In heavy mid-week stop-and-go traffic, it registers around 5.1 km/L, while in light Sunday traffic, it reaches a high of 6.75 km/L. Consistent, sure, but it’s consistently not good. Own one of these and it’s guaranteed that you’ll be racking up your preferred fuel brand’s loyalty points in no time.

Beyond the thirst, however, the 2TR-FE engine is well-suited to the Land Cruiser FJ platform. Yes, a diesel would have been the better option here, but don’t discount this powertrain altogether. With such a generous displacement, the engine doesn’t need to rev. Even with light applications of the throttle, it can use its copious amounts of low-end torque to get this 1.9-ton SUV moving. However, once it gets moving, don’t expect it to continue providing a locomotive-like thrust. Progress tapers off quickly past 60 km/h regardless of how heavy you plant your right foot on the accelerator. The 6-speed automatic knows this and commands a downshift quite quickly. It’ll even hold a gear just to maintain a sensible amount of pace.

Plenty more shade has been cast against the Land Cruiser FJ simply because of its platform. Keyboard critics often point out that because it rides on the IMV platform—the same one that underpins the Hilux and Fortuner—it’s “not a real Land Cruiser.” Well, don’t knock it until you try it. Before the Land Cruiser became the luxury SUV more commonly associated with DPWH contractors and congressmen, it’s always stood for flexibility—the flexibility of being comfortable enough for everyday on-road use, but capable enough off the beaten path. This SUV fulfills that criteria. Its most direct competitor, the Suzuki Jimny may be great on the trail, but it just drives horribly on-road. This Toyota, on the other hand, still has uncompromised off-roading hardware—excellent ground clearance, a two-speed 4WD transfer case, and a rear locking diff—but is something you can genuinely drive on a daily basis. It can’t escape the body-on-frame shimmies when going over badly cracked pavement, but it does absorb larger bumps and potholes with confidence. Overall, I’d say it even betters the Fortuner in terms of overall ride and NVH refinement.

As the top-of-the-line Land Cruiser VX, this variant also comes with Toyota Safety Sense. Mind you, it’s the older version—Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. This means it doesn’t have any sort of lane tracing (lane keeping assist to you and me). Still, it does have lane departure warning as well as pre-collision warning/braking, blind spot indicators with rear cross traffic alert, and a full suite of active and passive safety features.

Measuring in at 4.6 meters in length, the Land Cruiser FJ is also quite compact. As a point of reference, it’s even shorter than the FJ Cruiser from a few years back. This, together with ample visibility all around (even with the large glass-less rear quarter panel), equates to an easy time when navigating city streets or negotiating parking spaces. Plus, it does have front and rear sensors, and a decent 360-degree camera with a transparent chassis view, at least for this top-of-the-line VX variant. If anything, it’s just the hydraulic power steering that might catch you off-guard as more effort’s needed to twirl that wheel at lower speeds.

With 245 mm of ground clearance, climbing aboard the Land Cruiser FJ requires a strong pair of legs. If some assistance is required, at least the front passengers can use the A-pillar and roof-mounted door handles (the non-retracting type, thank goodness). The rear ones aren’t so lucky as their assist handles aren’t as accessible. The front seats, even at their lowest setting, is perched high—a product no doubt of the body-on-frame construction. The rear seats are even higher thanks to its theater-style arrangement.

The interior does strike you as utilitarian with plenty of well-wearing, but hard plastics. Mind you, it does fit in with the entire rugged off-roader theme Toyota’s going for here. The layout is easy to understand with plenty of old school knobs, buttons, and switches. And as it should be, the off-road-related controls are all clustered together near the shifter; no need to fumble through on-screen menus here. The driver gets a customizable 7-inch display, the settings of which can be linked to driver profiles or to a particular key. The center is a 12.3-inch infotainment screen which looks great and is responsive enough, but takes forever to boot up. This is a problem for those in a rush because even the 360-degree camera doesn’t work or operate when the center screen initializes.

Despite the effort required to clamber aboard the Land Cruiser FJ, there’s no shortage of interior space here. The front occupants have all the leg, shoulder, and headroom they need with the appropriate number of cubby holes scattered around to match. The rear is a bit more compromised, but it remains habitable nonetheless. There’s ample knee and shoulder room to fit three average Filipino adults side-by-side, but taller ones may want to check if they’re comfy with the amount of available headroom. There’s also not much in way of storage spaces or even cup holders. The rear seatback is reclinable and slidable in a 55/45 split which would have been fine if collapsing it would result in a flat load bay. Alas, it doesn’t. The cargo hold itself doesn’t have the depth which could limit its usefulness for big box shopping.

In terms of exterior styling, the Land Cruiser FJ successfully modernizes what many consider to be trademark old-school SUV styling. The chunky proportions, short overhangs, boxy lines, and even the tailgate-mounted spare tire all contribute to this unmistakable Tonka toy-truck look. Some people have commented that the proportions of the front and rear doors look ungainly, but since it was done for packaging’s sake, I’d let it pass. What I do wish for was for Toyota to use more squarish sideview mirrors; the Hilux/Fortuner-sourced ones here stand out like a sore thumb.

Priced at P 2,590,000, the Land Cruiser FJ VX finds itself in the same price bracket as a typical compact SUV. If cents and sensibilities prevail, these are definitely the ones to go for. However, I have this sneaking feeling that the Land Cruiser FJ won’t be appealing to the practical-minded. While it can be with its ample room, livable ride, and solid list of equipment, it’s intended more for buyers who’re looking more at a fun, weekend toy car that’s easily personalized and mod-friendly. In that case, the Land Cruiser FJ fits the bill perfectly.