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 a cruiser mean?
How was the name FJ derived? We frequently get this inquiry! 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.
Why did Toyota stop making the FJ Cruiser?
Toyota’s FJ Cruiser was one of the most distinctive and tough SUVs to ever reach the market, but it was discontinued for North American buyers in 2014. The firm had determined that sales were inadequate to cover the manufacturing costs of a second generation, leading to the discontinuance of the vehicles. The FJ Cruiser, on the other hand, has remained a popular vehicle long after most automobiles cease to be produced. The popularity of this sturdy vehicle has been impacted by a few different elements.
First, there is now a sense of scarcity among people who are interested in purchasing the FJ because there won’t be a new generation for the foreseeable future. Despite the fact that Toyota had discontinued the model almost ten years prior, many owners who still have one have opted to keep the car due to its increased rarity. Toyotas, unlike many other brands, tend to retain their value over time, and because of their reputation for producing durable, high-quality cars, demand for this dependable vehicle has only increased over the past 10 years.
Depending on the model and the year, a FJ Cruiser would probably cost you between $24000 and $51000 if you were shopping now. Finding one is less likely because special edition and limited-edition models get the highest prices at auction.
The FJ Cruiser is also highly regarded among off-road vehicles for its durable exterior, which can resist extreme circumstances, in addition to its reputation for performance and dependability. This amazing device is more expensive than other models in its class because it was made to survive extremely difficult conditions.
These off-road vehicles are frequently utilized for sports like off-road racing and rock crawling. The waterproof inside of this car was one of its most intriguing selling points because it opened up new possibilities for things like driving into deeper water or leaving your windows open in a downpour. The FJ Cruiser has an enormous advantage over other SUVs in that it can tow up to 5,000 pounds and does it with improved capability.
Overall, because of the FJ’s distinctive charms and rarity, a good-quality used version of the car will probably cost you about as much as it did when it was first launched onto the market, if not more.
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.
When did Toyota start producing the FJ Cruiser?
Kelley Blue Book for 2014 The top 10 SUVs for fun in 2014. In March 2006, the brand-new Toyota FJ Cruiser made its debut. The FJ Cruiser was Toyota’s third foray in the mid-size SUV market. It was a handsome and capable vehicle that drew on a great off-road pedigree.
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.
How far can a FJ Cruiser travel?
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.
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.
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)?
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.
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.
Do you have access to new FJ Cruisers?
$81,500
At the end of the previous year, someone paid that amount for a 63-mile 2014 FJ Cruiser on Bring A Trailer. Following Toyota’s decision to discontinue the model in the United States in late 2017 with the Final Edition, the retro-inspired SUV has seen an increase in popularity in recent years. The model is still very much alive and well, though some people would be surprised to learn this.
Although this YouTube video from a few days ago may be a little dated, a Toyota news release from earlier this week verifies the FJ Cruiser is still being produced. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the semiconductor shortages, the business has been sending emails concerning changes to manufacturing in Japan. Although there will be a brief pause in off-roader assembly, Toyota still manufactures them in general.
The Toyota subsidiary Hino Motors, which was founded in 2006, manufactures the FJ Cruiser in its Hamura factory in Japan, from where it is sold to a number of nations. Until Tuesday, February 1st, when assembly will resume, it is now out of commission barring any other changes to the production schedule.
After some investigation, we found that the body-on-frame vehicle is listed on Toyota’s Middle East website, where it has an equivalent starting price of $41,000. A little over $48,000 and $41,500, respectively, are the starting prices in South Africa and the Philippines for the FJ Cruiser. These are just three instances, so if it’s still available in your nation, please let us know.
While the 16-year-old FJ Cruiser is still in production for the time being, Toyota may have shown us a sneak peek of its electric-powered spiritual descendant. One of the 15 new automobiles that were shown off while previewing its EV product roadmap in December was a blue, compact SUV called the “Compact Cruiser EV” that resembled the cuddly box on wheels.
Although we don’t anticipate seeing a production version in showrooms any time soon, it may come out at some point.