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.
In This Article...
Toyota FJ dependability
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.
Does the FJ Cruiser have a V8 engine?
Toyota played it straight with the FJ Cruiser while most automakers like to use turbo-diesel and gasoline engines with different sizes and configurations (4-cylinder, V6, and V8 engines). They only provided the 4.0-liter V6 gas engine as an option. The specs aren’t really impressive for such an engine. It only produced 260 horsepower. The trick to this is how the engine produced 380Nm of torque and 200kW of power.
The FJ Cruiser’s engine had a stellar reputation and utilized a timing chain to extend engine longevity. Despite the fact that some specialists advise against such conversions on the Toyota V6 engine, the majority of FJ Cruiser owners modified their engines and installed LPG conversions.
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.
FJ stands for what?
How was the name FJ derived? 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.
Which FJ Cruiser year is the most dependable?
Even though this Toyota is very dependable, there are a few factors to take into account while purchasing a used FJ Cruiser. The finest resale value and many advantageous features are found in the 2013 FJ Cruiser.
Does the FJ Cruiser use little fuel?
The 4.0L DOHC V6 engine that powers the 2018 Toyota FJ Cruiser vehicle can produce up to 268 PS and 366 Nm of maximum torque. A five-speed automatic transmission delivers power to the rear wheels. The automatic mode lets you restrict the top gear to any one of the five speeds despite the lack of an overdrive button. Additionally, the transfer case is controlled by a second gear shifter, making it simple to change to 4H and 4L.
The Toyota FJ Cruiser naturally has a big and boat-like feel to it when it comes to ride and handling because it was specifically created for the US market. When you launch the SUV from a stop, turn, or halt, everything is fantastic, even the squats, rolls, and dips. The trip is generally pretty comfortable, but we’re not sure if you’re going fast. Even with a more off-road geared TRD set, it’s still extremely gentle and stable. This comfortable ride is also useful when traveling off-road because it will silence most of the rough roads.
Yes, the Toyota FJ Cruiser’s main feature and the reason for its reputation is off-roading. Challenging rocks or ruts are simple to navigate with steep approach angles and adequate ground clearance. As was already indicated, the powerful V6 delivers such power that regulating once in 4H and 4L is also a piece of cake. More than that, while operating this cruiser, do not quake in fear of falling over.
When you learn that the FJ Cruiser makes it difficult to move around town, you might gape in surprise. Although the SUV is categorized as a compact SUV, it is surprisingly wide. When impediments are on the left side, window line and a high hood are the culprits that cause the driver to become confused. Additionally, a number of the views behind are obscured by massive pillars, creating some significant blind spots. Thank goodness Toyota recognized this and included a back-up camera in the SUV.
The FJ Cruiser achieves a fuel economy rating of 5.06.0 km/L in heavy traffic. Nevertheless, at an average speed of 100 km/h, it only consumes 10 km/L on highways.
What led Toyota to stop producing the FJ?
The first stone in the FJ Cruiser’s coffin was the recession of 2008, which signaled the beginning of declining sales and the end of profit. To honor Toyota FJ Land Cruisers, the Toyota FJ Cruiser had its concept premiere in 2003. As 2006 year models, the first production models hit the market. They were designed as a vintage off-road vehicle and were first highly well-liked.
Unfortunately, Toyota was severely impacted by the 2008 recession, which had a negative impact on FJ Cruiser sales. Although it was performing well prior to then, it was ultimately canceled by 2014. That was partly due to the FJ Cruiser’s likeness to the original Jeep.
Toyota wanted to build an off-road vehicle that stood out from the rest of what they were producing at the time, and the FJ Cruiser was their attempt to do that. The FJ Cruiser was discontinued in 2014 as a result of Toyota’s decision that the sales were too poor to justify the manufacturing costs associated with developing a second generation after the recession officially began.
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.
Will the FJ Cruiser make a comeback?
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 will a 2021 FJ Cruiser cost?
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.
Toyota stopped producing the FJ Cruiser when?
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.
FJ Cruisers are they safe?
The FJ Cruiser achieved the highest grade of “Good” in the moderate-overlap frontal offset and side-impact tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
How far under the water can a FJ Cruiser travel?
Currents and the danger of it going deeper are the main concerns. Roads that have been flooded should only be crossed when absolutely necessary because they can be rather dangerous. The 4×4 variant meets the standard criteria of 2.3 feet. The 2×4 model may be less, but probably not significantly. Since the truck has to push against a lot of opposition when the water is deep, traction may still be an issue.