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...
What kind of car is a 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 like 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.
Why did they cease producing 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 ever make another FJ Cruiser?
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 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)?
What is the price of a 2021 FJ Cruiser?
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.
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 extremely 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!
Let’s see what one owner had to say:
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.
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.
What is the USA name for the Toyota Prado?
The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is a full-size four-wheel drive vehicle in the Land Cruiser lineup made by the Japanese automaker Toyota. Its Japanese name is Toyota Rando-Kurz Purado. The Prado is one of the smaller cars in the Land Cruiser lineup. Toyota’s J150 platform provides the foundation for the Prado as of 2009. It is offered as the Lexus GX counterpart in several nations.
Depending on the platform, the Prado may alternatively be referred to as the Land Cruiser LC70, LC90, LC120, or LC150. It is referred to as the Toyota Prado or Toyota Land Cruiser in some markets.
The Lexus GX, which has been rebadged to look like a Land Cruiser, fills the Prado’s luxury trim position in North America. The V8 engine and body panels used by the GX are nearly identical.
The ladder frame chassis, two-speed transfer cases, and rear beam axles of the Prado are features. While the J90, J120, and J150 platforms have front independent suspension, the J70 platform has a front beam axle.
As of 2014, the Fortuner/SW4 is offered in certain Southeast Asian and South American markets instead of the Prado, with the exception of the US, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea (both of which exclusively offer the Lexus GX).
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.
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 have 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. The hefty body produces blind spots, and the rear side windows don’t open, so you’ll need to judge rear access and room for yourself. Owners’ remarks have ranged from “a touch snug but OK” to “awkward and almost claustrophobic.”
Will Toyota Produce a FJ Cruiser in 2022?
Toyota winning the 2022 Car Design Award for Concept Cars makes us ecstatic. Not because we believe Toyota deserved it (although it might have), but rather because it led to the publication of additional images of the Toyota FJ Cruiser EV concept. We now have scale, real-world pictures of Toyota’s concept vehicle, which the company calls the Compact Cruiser EV. The vehicle you are viewing below is a 1:1 scale replica of the concept car rather than a render.
Given its future size, we might understand if you assumed it was some type of FJ-flavored render. But the thing is actually sitting on genuine tires. The Toyota Europe Design development center in France originally came up with the idea, which is obviously based on the vintage FJ Cruiser, which was in demand all by itself.
This is undoubtedly more retro-futuristic than the FJ Cruiser was when it was first introduced. It already incorporates elements from the earlier FJ Cruiser and FJ models. That is probably most noticeable in the grille, which combines a modern-looking skidplate with “Toyota” letters and a retro-inspired front. The wheels also have a relatively contemporary appearance, partly as a result of their common characteristics of being black and diamond-cut in today’s wheels. We urge you to bring the steelies back.
Notably, the FJ’s peculiar back door design, which at the time was more Mazda RX8 than Toyota, is not present in this concept. Nevertheless, it’s one of several peculiarities that have given the earlier model a cult following. With the integrated roof rack and ladder on the rear quarter panel, this automobile is obviously attempting to replicate that. Thankfully, Toyota also displayed some much more vintage wheels that give the vehicle a sort of white wall tire look.