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]
Since 2006, Toyota subsidiary Hino Motors in Hamura, Japan, has been producing the FJ Cruiser, which is structurally similar to the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado in many ways.
[4]: 96 The FJ Cruiser made its debut on the Japanese market on December 4, 2010, after its announcement on November 25.
On November 5, 2013, Toyota USA declared that the 2014 model year Trail Teams edition will be known as the “Ultimate Edition” and that the FJ Cruiser would no longer be produced in that region after that year.
[5] It was still being produced for markets like Australia. [6][7] until August 2016, when its shipment to that market was stopped. 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 12th, 2017, the “Final Edition” of the FJ Cruiser launched on sale in Japan.
[10] On January 31, 2018, sales of the FJ Cruiser were stopped there.
In This Article...
What does FJ in Toyota mean?
Clearly, the “J refers for “Jeep, and the “F denotes the type of engine. Because they used a Type B engine rather than an F, the early FJs were actually known as BJs.
When was the Toyota FJ manufactured?
The FJ had a successful career that lasted from 2007 to 2014, although sales in the US were never as high as Toyota’s blatant rival, the enduringly popular Jeep Wrangler. It’s probable that no truck would have overcome truck consumers’ allegiance to the Big Three (see: Toyota Tundra).
Why did Toyota discontinue 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.
Will Toyota bring the FJ back?
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.
Are Toyota FJs still produced today?
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.
Do FJ Cruisers frequently experience issues?
FJ Cruisers: Are They Reliable? 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.
What kind of vehicle is the FJ Cruiser?
The “FJ Cruiser” moniker is a tribute to Toyota’s illustrious range of Land Cruiser automobiles. The FJ has two regular front-hinged doors for the driver and passenger as well as a pair of smaller rear-hinged “suicide” doors for the back seats.
FJ Cruiser runs on gas or diesel.
The FJ Cruiser from Toyota stands out thanks to its classic appearance, which will appeal to buyers seeking uniqueness and significant off-road prowess.
However, that unique design entails several trade-offs, particularly in terms of access and room in the back seats and its rather high fuel consumption.
Over the course of its five years on the Australian market, the FJ Cruiser only had one version. There is no diesel or manual option available for this five-door wagon with a 4.0-liter V6 petrol engine, five-speed automated transmission, and heavy-duty dual-range 4WD. More standard equipment, CRAWL Control, a bigger fuel tank, and minor cosmetic modifications were included during upgrades in March and October of 2013.
The FJ Cruiser, a capable, totally modern vehicle, captures the nostalgic spirit of the classic FJ40 LandCruisers of the 1960s and 1970s. Old and new elements are combined in styling. Water-resistant seat trim and rubber floor mats are useful for a variety of lifestyle activities, while plastic trim inserts and the dash fascia offer an appearance of vintage painted metal.
It has five doors, however only the front doors can be opened before using the small, reverse-opening back doors. Since owner comments have ranged from “a touch tight but OK” to “awkward and “nearly claustrophobic,” you’ll need to evaluate rear access and room for yourself. Blind spots are produced by the bulky body, and the side windows on the back don’t open.
What does a FJ Cruiser cost?
Price for the Toyota FJ Cruiser ranges from 2.218 Million for the base variant with DP as low as 415,600 and MA 36,019 (60) on August 9, 2022, to 2.218 Million for the highest-spec variant with a 4.0L V6 engine.
Amount of FJ Cruisers produced
In its first two years, the FJ Cruiser sold more than 55,000 units, making it an immediate hit. Sales then abruptly decreased, reaching just under 12,000 in 2009. Before being retired after the 2014 model year, it never again exceeded 15,000 in sales. Toyota sold roughly 220,000 FJ Cruisers in total here.
What vehicle did Toyota use to replace the FJ Cruiser?
Toyota has very good justifications for ending production of the FJ Cruiser SUV in 2014. After all, the 4Runner and Tacoma both satisfy the demand for midsize body-on-frame off-roaders. Why even try with another?
However, there is a case to be made for that calculus to change. The Ford Bronco has nearly 200,000 reservations, the Hummer is coming back, and used FJ Cruisers in good condition are selling for almost as much as new ones did. Jeep is also continuing to profit from the Wrangler while the going is good. Perhaps there is opportunity for a replacement for the FJ Cruiser that is similar to Toyota’s incredibly cool FT-4X prototype from 2017 (seen above)?
Is there a FJ Cruiser for 2021?
The single FJ Cruiser sold last year was the one Toyota sold in the first half of 2021. It took dealers some time to get rid of their inventory, so the sale is astonishing given that the FJ was dropped from Toyota’s lineup in the US after the 2014 model year. Toyota has revealed its 2021 sales data, and the business had a strong year despite, well, everything. 2021 is finally receding into the rearview mirror.
Toyota sold slightly over 2 million vehicles in 2021, up 10.3 percent from 2020. Sales of Lexus, Toyota’s luxury business, increased in 2021 to 304,476, up 10.7% from the previous year. It was sufficient to unseat General Motors as the leading automaker in the country. The devastating December sales report, both of which were down over 30%, contrasts the successful sales year.
Gallery: Toyota FJ Cruiser Final Edition
Toyota was mostly unaffected by the semiconductor scarcity that has startled the auto industry this year. Late in August, the company started to experience financial difficulty, which compelled it to halt some manufacturing. Trouble began for other automakers much earlier in the year.
The one FJ Cruiser that was sold last year is the most recent example of how abandoned vehicles continue to be purchased years after their manufacturers stopped making them. Despite having built all 500 units by the end of 2012, Motor1 announced in 2018 that Lexus has sold three new LFA supercars in 2019. However, sales of the supercar fell short of Lexus’ expectations.
How long is the lifespan of a Toyota FJ Cruiser?
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 with 123,000 miles on it. 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.