The Toyota FJ Cruiser was a retro-styled, body-on-frame mid-size SUV produced between January 2006 and December 2022. It was sold in North America for the 2007 through 2014 model years, so there was no 2019 FJ Cruiser in the United States. The badge did survive in a few other markets into the 2020s: the FJ Cruiser continued to be offered new in the Middle East, Chile, the Philippines and parts of southern Africa, so a 2019 example could be bought there, before production finally ended in December 2022.
What the FJ Cruiser Was
Toyota showed the FJ Cruiser as a concept at the January 2003 North American International Auto Show and put it into production after a positive reaction. It was designed as a modern homage to the original FJ40 Land Cruiser, combining retro styling with mechanical parts borrowed from contemporary Toyotas. It was built by Toyota’s Hino Motors subsidiary in Hamura, Japan, and shared structural underpinnings with the Land Cruiser Prado and the 4Runner. In Toyota’s US range it slotted between the smaller RAV4 and the larger Highlander.
The project began under an internal nickname, Rugged Youth Utility, aimed at attracting younger male buyers Toyota felt it was losing. A retro design by 24-year-old designer Jin Won Kim was chosen from several proposals, and the finished concept debuted at the 2003 Detroit auto show in a bright blue that became the model’s signature color.
Before production, Toyota tested development mules on some of North America’s hardest trails, including Moab in Utah, the Mojave Desert and the Rubicon Trail. Those evaluations drove changes to the A-TRAC traction-control system and the suspension tuning. Toyota’s Calty design studio also contributed to the styling.
Production and Markets
North American sales ran from the 2007 to 2014 model years. Toyota announced in November 2013 that 2014 would be the final year in that market, marked by a Trail Teams Ultimate Edition. Australian exports ended in August 2016. Japan received a Final Edition in September 2017, with sales ending on 31 January 2018. Production then continued for other markets, and in October 2022 Toyota announced a Middle East Final Edition limited to 1,000 units, bringing the model’s run to a close in December 2022.
As of April 2022 the FJ Cruiser was still listed for sale in markets such as Chile, the Middle East, the Philippines and the countries of the Southern African Customs Union, a reminder that its run lasted far longer outside North America than inside it.
Engine and Drivetrain
The FJ Cruiser used a single engine throughout its life: a 4.0-liter 1GR-FE V6.
- 2007–2009: 239 hp at 5,200 rpm and 278 lb-ft of torque at 3,700 rpm.
- 2010 (with Dual VVT-i): 259 hp at 5,600 rpm and 270 lb-ft.
- 2011 onward: 260 hp at 5,600 rpm and 271 lb-ft.
Rear-wheel-drive models used a five-speed automatic and came with a limited-slip rear differential. Part-time four-wheel-drive models used a five-speed automatic with a transfer case, while full-time four-wheel-drive versions paired a six-speed manual with a Torsen center differential that could be locked and normally split torque 40:60 front to rear.
Like a pickup, the FJ Cruiser used a body-on-frame chassis. Its suspension was a high-mounted double-wishbone arrangement at the front and a four-link live axle with coil springs at the rear, with stabilizer bars. Electronic aids included vehicle stability control and the A-TRAC traction system, which brakes a spinning wheel to mimic a locking differential. The 2011-onward engine met the LEV II / Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards.
Exterior, Size and Off-Road Ability
The FJ Cruiser measured 4,670 mm long, 1,895 to 1,905 mm wide and about 1,830 mm tall on a 2,690 mm wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 1,837 to 2,015 kg. The four-wheel-drive model had 9.6 inches of ground clearance, approach and departure angles of 34 and 30 degrees, and a 27.4-degree breakover angle. It could wade through 27.5 inches of water, tow up to 5,000 lb and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.8 seconds. Styling cues included a nearly vertical windshield with three wipers and rear-opening access doors.
Interior
The cabin was designed for off-road practicality, with washable rubber surfaces and oversized controls intended to be used with gloves. A three-gauge cluster showing compass, temperature and inclinometer carried over from the concept, along with a 120-volt rear outlet offered as an option. The rear seats were cramped and awkward to access, a point many reviewers raised. Cargo capacity was smaller than average for the class, and the reverse-opening rear doors took some practice to use in tight spaces.
Safety
Side curtain airbags for both rows and side torso airbags were optional on 2007 models and became standard for 2008. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the FJ Cruiser its Top Safety Pick honor, with a Good rating in the front and side impact tests.
Sales and Reception
The FJ Cruiser sold strongly at first, reaching 56,225 units in the US in 2006, before falling below 12,000 by 2009. Analysts blamed the decline on rising fuel prices, the model’s poor fuel economy and competition from the Jeep Wrangler. Reviewers praised its off-road capability and retro styling, but criticized body roll and large blind spots.
Annual US sales settled in the 13,000 to 15,000 range through the early 2010s before the model was retired. The FJ Cruiser built a loyal following among off-road enthusiasts, who valued its capability and distinctive looks, and it remains a sought-after used SUV in the markets where it was sold.
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