We frequently get this inquiry! The early FJs were originally known as BJsthey having a Type B engine, not an F, which is why the “J clearly refers for “Jeep and the “F signifies the engine type.
In This Article...
Describe the Toyota FJ.
Since 2006, Toyota has been manufacturing the retro-styled mid-size SUV known as the FJ Cruiser. The FJ Cruiser made its debut as a concept car at the January 2003 North American International Auto Show. After receiving favorable consumer feedback, the FJ Cruiser was given the go-ahead for production, and the finalized version made its debut at the January 2005 North American International Auto Show.[2][3]
The Toyota subsidiary Hino Motors in Hamura, Japan, has been producing the FJ Cruiser since 2006, and it shares many structural components with the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.[4]: 96 The FJ Cruiser debuted on the Japanese market on December 4, 2010, after its announcement on November 25.
The FJ Cruiser was still produced for sale in other markets, such as Australia[6][7], until its export to that market was stopped in August 2016. On 5 November 2013, Toyota USA announced the 2014 model year Trail Teams edition would be called the “Ultimate Edition” and that the 2014 model year would be the last for the FJ Cruiser in that market. It is still offered in places including Chile, the Middle East, the Philippines, and South Africa as of April 2022[update].[8][9]
On September 12, 2017, the “Final Edition” of the FJ Cruiser was made available for purchase in Japan[10]. On January 31, 2018, sales of the FJ Cruiser were halted there.
Toyota created the FJ Cruiser for what purpose?
When building the FJ Cruiser, Toyota undoubtedly made some compromises, which gave the competition room to brag about how they didn’t cut corners.
The FJ Cruiser attracted a lot of attention when it debuted at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show and went on sale in 2006. The FJ Cruiser was “designed as a basic, capable, and affordable off-roader geared specifically at hardcore off-roaders eager to push the limits,” according to a statement from Toyota.
It also featured a wonderful external design for off-roading, becoming even more popular with the off-roading population. A lot of the vehicle’s design and parts were either influenced by or modified from the Tacoma and 4Runner, both well-known Toyota cars.
However, the FJ Cruiser’s sales never surpassed those of its first year, 2006, when it sold 56,225 units, and would eventually peak at around 14,000 units a year. As a result, Toyota made the mistake of cutting expenses with the cabin, giving the competition an advantage.
What is the foundation for the FJ Cruiser?
Three years after the concept vehicle was originally displayed, the production variant of the SUV went on sale. The SUV’s unique, thick side pillar behind those truncated rear doors, which opened rearward for access to the back seats, was astonishingly similar to the concept car. The ladder-frame, short-wheelbase chassis of the FJ Cruiser, which was powered by a dependable 4-liter V6, was based on the chassis of the 120-Series Land Cruiser Prado.
Which motor powers the FJ Cruiser?
Power and acceleration. The 4.0-liter V6 engine that generates 260 horsepower powers the 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser. With either partial or full-time four-wheel drive, an automatic transmission is supplied as standard. Exclusively available with full-time four-wheel drive is a six-speed manual transmission.
Is the FJ Cruiser strong?
That’s not too bad for a big, four-wheel drive off-roader, but it’s not good compared to crossover SUVs. Although it struggles in some circumstances, like as going up hills or passing on the highway, the FJ Cruiser’s engine is generally considered to be powerful enough, according to reviews.
How durable are FJ Cruisers?
So you want to purchase a high mileage secondhand FJ? Few 4WD vehicles can possibly compare to the dependability and toughness of the Cruiser series. These SUVs are constructed strong by Toyota, and if you read the comments left by the many satisfied FJ cruiser owners in the hundreds of forum threads, you’ll be persuaded that it’s one of the safest used SUV 4WD purchases available. There are a few problems, though, and I’ll go into more detail about those a little later.
If the scheduled maintenance and services have been performed, FJ Cruisers can travel well over 250K miles without experiencing any mechanical issues. With only routine maintenance and a few minor cosmetic faults, many owners have driven their vehicles well past 300K miles.
Therefore, it is crucial to confirm that a used FJ Cruiser has a comprehensive service history, either at the Toyota agents or with a reliable private workshop, before making the purchase. For these FJs, mileage is less of an issue than how well they were maintained.
Many owners are really pleased with their purchases and speak highly of the build quality, dependability, and durability of them. The FJ is an extremely capable off-road vehicle, suited for long drives or whatever 44-track you’re willing to subject it to. It will effortlessly eat up the trails and transport you home in complete luxury.
The eccentric, retro styling is obviously not to everyone’s taste when it comes to design, proving that beauty is subjective. I adore it, for sure!
See what one owner had to say about it:
I recently purchased a 2011 FJ. 123,000 kilometers on the clock I gave it my 3.6 Rubicon in exchange. I liked the Jeep and couldn’t be happier.
Therefore, these cars’ dependability and longevity are really what make them beautiful. Clearly, mileage is not a concern. You should be fine to go if you look hard and long for the one you prefer, test drive it, and make sure it has a complete service history. These 4WDs don’t have any shady plans in place to take advantage of you once you’ve spent your hard-earned money. They have a sturdy construction. It’s a rather secure purchase.
The fuel consumption of these JF Cruisers is, in my opinion, their main drawback. Definitely thirsty!
The 2010 models have seen minor fuel economy improvements since their 2007 debut. For variants with two or four wheels, the FJ will achieve city fuel economy ratings of 14 to 17 mpg and highway fuel economy ratings of 19 to 21 mpg.
Expect those numbers to fall considerably lower if you want to customize the FJ with larger tires, lifts, and roof racks. You’ve now been forewarned.
However, those who purchase these automobiles don’t necessarily do it in order to consume less fuel.
How trustworthy is a FJ Cruiser?
The FJ Cruiser receives a 3.5 out of 5 reliability rating from RepairPal, placing it 12th out of 26 midsize SUVs. The model typically has an annual repair and maintenance expense of roughly $506. This is less than the $573 average for medium SUVs.
Why are the tops on FJ Cruisers white?
Actually, Toyota was among the first automakers to take action against the threat of global warming far back in the 1940s, and the FJ Cruiser was the vehicle that revived the concept. Due to the success of this idea, ALL Toyota products, including those under the Lexus brand, will have a white roof starting in 2015. There will be no price for repainting the TRDs that you may have seen with the black roof.
The Obama Administration is currently conducting a feasibility study to determine whether to cover all roadways and parking lots with a white wearing surface. To avoid reflecting heat back into the atmosphere, the lane markings and other graphics painted on the existing asphalt surfaces will be made of a very “light absorbant” black paint. The FAA is participating in this investigation as well for usage on runways.
Is Toyota reintroducing the FJ?
Toyota has a history of building tough off-road SUVs, including the luxury Land Cruiser, the 4Runner, and the FJ Cruiser. While the Land Cruiser will stop being sold in the United States starting in 2022 and the FJ Cruiser hasn’t been offered here since 2014, Toyota is determined to maintain its position as a leader in the off-road segment as the automotive industry shifts to electric vehicles, and it will soon introduce a tough compact electric SUV. The Compact Cruiser EV concept foreshadowed the boxy appearance, tough bumpers, and body cladding of the SUV. The electric engine is unknown, but given the rapid torque of electric motors, it should be reasonably speedy and capable of handling tough terrain.
What was the FJ Cruiser’s successor?
2014 was the final model year for FJ Cruiser before it was discontinued. But with adventure-ready Toyota vehicles like the 4Runner and the off-road capable TRD Pro Series, excitement and capability continue to exist. There is a tough Toyota 4×4 ready to take you exploring, no matter who you are. You will continue to receive excellent servicing from your local Toyota Service Center if you currently possess a FJ Cruiser. Search for a Toyota Certified Used FJ Cruiser below or Keep It Wild with 4Runner.
What FJ Cruiser model is the rarest?
The Trail Teams Ultimate Edition 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser, available for just one model year, is presently for sale on Cars and Bids.
This 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Ultimate Edition with heritage blue paint and black inside is currently for sale on cars & bids. It is a stylish SUV that is different from most other FJ Cruisers that you will be able to locate for sale. The FJ Cruiser doesn’t have a reserve and only has 27,500 miles on the odometer. Given that the Trail Teams Ultimate Edition was only offered for one model year, this is one of the most uncommon FJ Cruisers.
Are FJ Cruisers becoming more expensive?
In 2020, something happened. From selling one or two FJ Cruisers annually to selling more than two each month, classic vehicle auctions. The base model’s median sales prices increased significantly, from roughly $14,000 in 2019 to $27,500 in 2020, and then increased again to $30,450 in 2021.
Are FJ Cruisers still worth anything?
The Toyota FJ Cruiser takes the top spot on this list by a significant margin for the second year in a row since it is an off-road expert and a rarity in terms of resale value.
Jeep or the FJ Cruiser, which is superior?
These two cars perform similarly to one another off-road. The Wrangler does have a slight advantage over the FJ Cruiser in terms of raw data, but the gap isn’t particularly wide. Even when compared to its current Wrangler competitors, the Jeep Wrangler comes out on top thanks to the combination of its several small victories over the FJ Cruiser.
The FJ has an unmistakable appeal. With the FJ Cruiser, Toyota so blatantly set their sights on the Jeep Wrangler that it ultimately killed it. They were attempting to ride an already broken wave. The FJ is still a very capable off-road vehicle, although it somewhat underreaches the target off-roading market. The FJ Cruiser is more useful as a vehicle for camping trips and as a means of transporting a raft or a kayak to the riverbed. The Wrangler is capable of doing this as well, but it is also free to go off-roading for enjoyment only. The Wrangler actually shines in this regard; it’s an incredibly entertaining car that still manages to be useful. On the other hand, the FJ primarily consists of the latter.
Ultimately, given that the FJ is no longer being produced, this isn’t a very fair fight right now. The Jeep Wrangler is not only a fantastic vehicle, but also a dynamic platform that can be modified to virtually its fullest extent.