Toyota Land Cruiser FJ vs the world: 5 proper 4x4 rivals with real low-range
The brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ has officially touched down in South Africa, sending shockwaves through the lifestyle 4x4 market. Priced at R714,000 for the GX and R761,400 for the flagship VX, it brings a retro, boxy aesthetic backed by something purists have been begging for: traditional mechanical grit.
While the market is flooded with high-tech, unibody crossovers that rely on clever software and road-biased platforms to get through a muddy parking lot, the Land Cruiser FJ (here's our review!) relies on old-school toughness. It pairs a rugged body-on-frame chassis with a proper, selectable low-range transfer case.
But it isn't playing in an empty sandbox. If you are looking for authentic, go-anywhere mechanical capability in the R550,000 to R850,000 bracket, here are its 5 closest rivals currently on South African showroom floors, including exact pricing.
The core contenders
1. GWM Tank 300
If any vehicle matches the visual presence and brief of the Land Cruiser FJ, it’s this one. The Tank 300 swaps the Toyota's Spartan heritage for a heavy dose of luxury, but don't let the big screens fool you—underneath sits a highly capable ladder-frame platform with serious trail manners.
Tank 300 2.4T Super Luxury 4WD: R699,900
Tank 300 2.4T Ultra Luxury 4WD: R739,900
The verdict: While the FJ relies on a naturally aspirated 2.7-litre petrol engine, GWM offers modern turbo-petrol, hybrid, and diesel options. To see how the new oil-burner handles real-world conditions, check out our full review where the Tank 300 gets the diesel engine it deserved.
2. Mahindra Scorpio-N (4XPLOR)
Mahindra’s Scorpio-N punches well above its weight class. It may cost significantly less than the Land Cruiser FJ, but it shares the exact same ethos of mechanical resilience, structural durability, and pure simplicity. Plus, it throws in a 7-seat layout for ultimate family practicality.
Scorpio-N 2.2D Z8 4x4 AT: R587,999
Scorpio-N 2.2D Z8L 4x4 AT: R622,999
Scorpio-N 2.2D Z8L 4x4 AT Adventure: R699,999
The verdict: Powered by a punchy 2.2-litre mHawk turbodiesel, the Scorpio-N brings plenty of low-down torque to complement its 4XPLOR terrain management system and mechanical low range. It's also a lot less costly to run! Chad reviews it here.
3. Toyota Fortuner (2.4 GD-6 4x4)
The enemy within. If you love the mechanical layout of the Land Cruiser FJ but find the old-school 2.7-litre naturally aspirated petrol unit a bit sluggish for highway overtaking or towing, look slightly to the left on the dealership floor.
Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 4x4 Automatic: R746,500
The verdict: Built on the same ultra-reliable architecture as the Hilux, this specific Fortuner sits right in the middle of the FJ's price band. It swaps the retro styling for massive cabin space and 400 Nm of turbodiesel grunt. I review the GR-Sport model (pictured) here.
4. BAIC B40 Plus
If you want to turn heads on the trail without spending Wrangler money, the B40 Plus is a compelling option. It features a box-frame layout, a time-sharing electronic 4WD system with proper low range, and removable body panels for that open-air adventure feel.
B40 Plus 2.0T Petrol Honor Edition 4x4 8AT: R699,500
The verdict: Rugged, angular, and uncompromisingly trail-focused, it matches the FJ’s desire to look—and act—uniquely tough. Lawrence reviews the B40 here.
5. Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
The dark horse of the traditional SUV segment. Mitsubishi's Super Select II 4WD system remains one of the best setups in the business, allowing you to run in full-time four-wheel drive on dry tarmac before locking the centre and rear diffs in low range.
Pajero Sport 2.4DI-D 4x4 Automatic: R789,990
The verdict: Pushing slightly past the FJ’s price ceiling, the entry-level Pajero Sport 4x4 counters with phenomenal gravel-road stability and a bulletproof 2.4-litre turbodiesel pedigree.
It takes on the Toyota Fortuner and Isuzu mu-X in this shootout.
The 5-door bonus entry: Suzuki Jimny 5-door
If the heavy-weight SUVs are over-engineered for your needs, you can drastically undercut the FJ's price tag without sacrificing a single drop of off-road capability.
The stretched Suzuki Jimny 5-door retains the legendary ALLGRIP PRO system. It features a physical, mechanical floor lever that lets you manually engage a proper 4L low-range gear. We reviewed it here.
Jimny 5-door 1.5 GL Manual: R439,900
Jimny 5-door 1.5 GLX Manual: R467,900
Jimny 5-door 1.5 GLX Automatic: R489,900
Combined with solid-beam axles and a lightweight footprint, it will crawl up the exact same mountain passes as the Land Cruiser FJ for a fraction of the cost. To see how the lifestyle 4x4 newcomers attempt to bridge this gap, you can check out our detailed segment analysis on how the new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ faces its toughest modern rivals in this expert group shootout.
