Toyota’s New Land Cruiser FJ and Hilux: I Took One Off-Road. Here’s What Stood Out. | Rpm_gh
News · 26 October 2026
Toyota’s New Land Cruiser FJ and Hilux: I Took One Off-Road. Here’s What Stood Out.
I took the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ through steep climbs and uneven off-road obstacles, while the new Hilux made its own impression with bold styling and a surprisingly modern cabin. Two very different Toyotas, each with a distinct personality. Here’s what stood out to me at their Ghana launch.
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Toyota’s All-New Land Cruiser FJ and Hilux: Two Different Ways to Chase Adventure
Toyota has been in the game for so long that it has etched its name into the annals of Ghana’s automotive industry. Through its presence in Ghana, the brand has given us some memorable and legendary vehicles: the Land Cruiser, popularly and affectionately known in Ghana as the V8, the Fortuner, the Hilux, among others.
On 24 October 2026, however, Toyota added two more chapters to its story in Ghana with the unveiling of the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ and the all-new Toyota Hilux.
The Hilux is no stranger to the Toyota stable, but the Land Cruiser FJ is a fresh addition. And if you think these two vehicles are simply about getting from point A to point B, you might want to think again.
Both are built with off-road capability in mind, but they seem to have different ideas about what a good day out should look like. The Land Cruiser FJ looks like the sort of companion that would happily take you away from the city, down a dusty road, through a muddy trail and into the sort of adventure that makes you forget to check your phone. And when Monday comes around, it looks equally at home being driven to work.
The Hilux, on the other hand, is more of a workhorse — a dependable one, admittedly, but a workhorse with the swagger of a pony that knows it can do more than carry the load. It has a job to do, and it looks ready to get on with it. Whether that job involves business, a demanding worksite or simply making a statement on the road, the Hilux has built its reputation around versatility.
Two Vehicles, Two Different Personalities
The Land Cruiser FJ is an interesting addition to the Land Cruiser family. The name itself carries a certain weight in Ghana, where the Land Cruiser badge is associated with ruggedness, presence and the ability to tackle difficult terrain.
Seeing the new FJ up close, however, I couldn't help noticing something about its proportions. Viewed from the front, it looks a little narrower than I expected. It has the upright, boxy shape that makes an off-road vehicle look ready for adventure, but its relatively narrow appearance gives it a slightly different stance from some of the bigger, broader SUVs we are accustomed to seeing on our roads.
Then there is the design. If you have ever looked at a Ford Bronco and thought, “Now that looks like something built for an adventure,” you might find the FJ's styling a little familiar. Those squared-off proportions and rugged character certainly bring the Bronco to mind. I'm not saying Toyota borrowed the Bronco's homework, of course, but the resemblance is enough to make you do a double take.
Still, the FJ has its own identity, and it wears the Land Cruiser badge. It is the sort of vehicle that invites the imagination to wander. You can picture a weekend escape from Accra, leaving the familiar roads behind in search of somewhere quieter, more remote and perhaps a little more challenging to reach.
Of course, not every owner will be looking to conquer a mountain or disappear into the wilderness. Sometimes, the adventure is simply having a vehicle that makes the possibility of going somewhere different feel a little more exciting.
The Hilux tells a different story, but don't mistake its workhorse character for a lack of style. In fact, I thought the new Hilux looked pretty cool. The front design is particularly good, giving it a strong presence that makes it look ready to get down to business — or simply pull up somewhere and turn a few heads.
Step inside, though, and the story becomes even more interesting. The interior feels modern while retaining that rugged character you'd expect from a Hilux. The infotainment system adds a contemporary touch, helping the cabin feel less like a space designed purely for work and more like somewhere you'd genuinely enjoy spending time.
You might even forget you're sitting in a workhorse. The cabin feels welcoming enough that you could almost imagine yourself in a saloon car, settling in comfortably for your daily commute before remembering that you've got a pickup truck at your disposal.
And that, to me, is part of the Hilux's appeal. It seems to understand that people don't necessarily want to choose between a vehicle that works hard and one that feels good to live with. You can have a vehicle that carries the load during the week, handles business when called upon and still gives you a comfortable place to sit when all you want to do is drive.
Think of the Hilux as that friend who shows up when there is serious work to be done, never complains about the conditions and somehow still manages to look good doing it. Only now, you might find that after a long day at work, you don't mind spending a little more time in their company.
Together, the two models make an interesting pairing. The Land Cruiser FJ leans into the spirit of exploration, inviting you to imagine weekend escapes and adventures beyond the tarmac. The Hilux brings toughness and versatility together with a modern, welcoming cabin. One makes you wonder where you could go; the other makes you think about all the things you could do along the way.
Not Just a Launch, but an Off-Road Experience
Held at the Ghana International Trade Fair Centre in La, Accra, the unveiling went beyond the usual vehicle displays and speeches. Under the theme “Built for Every Journey,” the event gave guests an opportunity to experience Toyota's off-road credentials through live demonstrations and interactive activities.
And this was where things became more interesting.
A specially constructed course featured uneven surfaces, rocky sections, mud, loose sand and steep inclines. One obstacle that caught my attention was the mogul — a stretch of uneven terrain with some seriously deep holes on either side. It was the kind of section that makes you pause for a moment and wonder how the vehicle is going to get through without one side dropping dramatically into a hole.
Thankfully, I wasn't left wondering from the sidelines for the entire experience. I was given the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the Land Cruiser FJ and drive it around the course myself.
And I must say, it was exciting — although “exciting” might be putting it mildly. My experience behind the wheel was a mixture of thrill, apprehension and gradually growing trust in the vehicle.
The hill climb was particularly interesting. As the FJ made its way up the incline, the bonnet seemed to point towards the heavens, leaving me with a view of little else but the sky. For a moment, you begin to wonder just how steep this hill really is. And then comes the descent, when the feeling changes entirely. It almost feels as though you are standing inside the car rather than sitting in it. Your body gets the message before your mind has quite finished processing what is happening.
Then there was the mogul.
Remember those deep holes on either side of the uneven track? This was where the FJ really tested my trust in it. Watching a vehicle negotiate such terrain is one thing; sitting behind the wheel while it rocks from side to side is another. You find yourself wondering whether the car is really going to make it through without getting itself into trouble.
The FJ, however, seemed far less concerned about my doubts than I was.
It moved about quite a bit as it worked its way across the mogul, and there were moments when the movement reminded me that I was very much off-road. It was a little scary, I won't lie. But there was also a reassuring feeling inside the cabin. Despite all the rocking and shifting, I felt safe as the vehicle made its way through the obstacle with surprising ease.
That, for me, was one of the most interesting parts of the experience. The mogul wasn't just a test of the vehicle's ability; it was a test of how much you were willing to trust it. You start out questioning whether it can manage the terrain, only to watch it work its way through as though your concerns were unnecessary.
There is a difference between watching an off-road vehicle tackle an obstacle and actually being the person behind the wheel. From the driver's seat, you become part of the action. You feel the incline, experience the descent and become acutely aware of every movement as the vehicle negotiates uneven ground.
Of course, a specially designed launch course is not the same as spending weeks driving a vehicle on Ghana's roads or taking it on a proper off-road expedition. There is still much more to explore before drawing conclusions about its long-term performance and everyday usability. But as a first taste of what the FJ is capable of, the experience was memorable — and certainly gave me a little more appreciation for what an off-road vehicle is expected to do.
The wider Land Cruiser family also featured in the experience, providing a reminder that the FJ is joining a nameplate with a long-standing association with capability and adventure.
Beyond the demonstrations, guests explored the vehicles, interacted with Toyota representatives and partners, and enjoyed entertainment, refreshments and other activities. The event brought together automotive enthusiasts, customers, business leaders, diplomatic representatives and members of the media for a day that placed the vehicles at the centre of the experience.
Built for Every Journey — But Which Journey Is Yours?
Toyota's global philosophy, “TO YOU. TOYOTA.”, puts people at the centre of mobility. At the launch, that idea was reflected in the emphasis on vehicles that serve different needs, lifestyles and aspirations.
The company also highlighted the wider ownership experience, including genuine spare parts, servicing, financing and aftersales support. These are important considerations because buying a vehicle is only the beginning of the relationship. Keeping it running, maintaining its value and getting the support needed over the years matter just as much.
For Ghanaian buyers, the question is not simply which of the two vehicles looks better or which one makes the stronger impression. It is about what the vehicle will actually be expected to do.
If the idea is to have a rugged-looking companion for weekend escapes, outdoor adventures and everyday driving, the Land Cruiser FJ certainly makes an intriguing proposition. If the priority is a vehicle that can move between work, business and personal use while offering a modern, welcoming cabin, the Hilux remains a compelling option with a long-standing reputation for versatility.
Naturally, a launch event can only tell us so much. A proper assessment of how either vehicle performs in everyday Ghanaian conditions will require more time behind the wheel, including real-world driving and a closer look at the details that matter to owners.
But one thing is clear: Toyota has given Ghanaian buyers two new vehicles to think about, each with a different character and a different idea of what a journey can be.
And perhaps that is the most interesting part of this launch. The Land Cruiser FJ invites you to imagine where the road might take you. The Hilux asks what you need to get done along the way — and makes the prospect of getting there a little more appealing.
Either way, the journey is yours to define.
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