I was waiting a long time for this to come out and have so many google alerts set up for any story that comes through internationally.
It is still super unconfirmed and the rumor mill is similar to what it was years ago. If it does come out, it sounds to be smaller, like the Jimny, and not like the FJ of the past. Also super unclear if the US will get it as well.
I waited and waited but timing was everything and it just took too long to confirm any reality of it as well as a size I liked. I am super glad I pulled the trigger and got my BSBLS.
We will see what they do inside too as Toyota is very behind with the tech offered. I know it is not super important to some, but jumping from my last toyota of 18 years to my new car, it came down to that stuff as well. If this one lasts me another 15 years, I want it to be relevant to the times inside as well. The camera offerings on my Badlands Sasquatch 🤌
Given it’s launching in Japan with additional target markets in Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, that’s an indication that it wasn’t designed with the safety and emissions standards required in the NA market.
So, no competition likely except possibly south of the border.