Some six months ago, Toyota launched the FJ Cruiser Final Edition in the Middle East signaling the off-roader could finally be discontinued soon. It turns out, our assumption at the time was correct as the automaker has now officially confirmed the retro-styled SUV is no longer on the assembly lines following a 17-year production run.

Cars.co.za recently noticed the FJ Cruiser isn’t available in South Africa, another market where the model was sold until recently. The publication contacted the local Toyota division, which confirmed the “global discontinuation of the FJ Cruiser product line as of December 2022.” Apparently, this move “isn’t just limited to South Africa” but also covers all international markets.

The FJ Cruiser was retired from the US market in late 2017 but it continued its life in other regions around the world. It was put together by Toyota subsidiary Hino Motors at the Hamura factory in Japan and shipped to the Middle East, South Africa, and the Philippines. In the Middle East, the body-on-frame SUV carried the equivalent starting price of $41,000 but you can no longer order one now.

For the vehicle’s final model year in existence, Toyota launched the FJ Cruiser Final Edition, which had the same specifications as the equivalent model sold in the US and Japan in 2017. In early October last year, it was announced the last 1,000 units of the SUV got single-tone beige exterior and interior trims, several blacked-out elements on the outside, and a unique numbered badge to highlight its exclusivity.

Before its discontinuation, the FJ Cruiser was only available with a just single engine option. That was Toyota’s immortal 4.0-liter V6 gas engine, good for around 270 horsepower (201 kilowatts) and 280 pound-feet (380 Newton-meters) of torque. That power reached all four wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission for a 0-62 miles per hour sprint in around 7.6 seconds. Active Traction Control (A-TRAC), Crawl Control, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), and an electronically controlled locking rear differential were offered as standard.

All signs indicate Toyota is about to introduce a new, smaller off-road SUV. The company hasn’t said much about the model since briefly teasing it two years ago, and speculation continues to run rampant. But we might not have to wait much longer.

According to a report from Japanese outlet Creative 331, Toyota plans to launch the Land Cruiser FJ in Japan during the second quarter of 2026. It’ll go on sale featuring a naturally aspirated 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that also powers the entry-level Hilux. The engine makes 163 horsepower and 181 pound-feet in the truck.

The new off-roader is allegedly similar in size to the Toyota Corolla Cross, but stubbier. According to the publication, the FJ will be 171.3 inches long, which is about 5.0 inches shorter than the Corolla Cross. It sounds like the SUV will be closer in length to the Ford Bronco Sport—172.7 inches—than its Toyota stablemate.

Despite the new details, there’s still quite a bit we don’t know for sure about the FJ. It’s unclear which platform Toyota will use, with the latest report suggesting it’ll ride on the IMV-0 platform, a ladder frame architecture that underpins the Hilux Champ and isn’t suited for American safety standards.

Earlier reports suggested that the new Toyota could ride on the automaker’s TNGA-F architecture, which the company uses for the Land Cruiser, Tacoma, and Tundra; however, nothing has been confirmed.

The FJ is supposed to go on sale in North America, reaching dealers worldwide next year, and we doubt it’ll borrow the Hilux’s platform. It’ll also likely have upgraded powertrain choices in the US market, which will likely include gas and hybrid options.

If Toyota’s 2.7-liter engine can fit, then there’s a chance it might feature the brand’s turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder option in the US. It can make up to 326 hp and would be better suited for our tastes.

Either way, it looks like we won’t have to wait much longer to learn everything about the new FJ Land Cruiser. It may debut as soon as the Japan Mobility Show, which kicks off at the end of October.