The Toyota FJ Cruiser is one of the most recognisable modern Toyotas. This rugged machine brought a generous dose of style to the off-road world when it was launched in North America and later around the world (but sadly not in the UK) from 2006. Here are 10 fun facts to know about the FJ Cruiser.
FJ Cruiser started life as a concept car
The exterior design by Toyota’s Calty Design Research studio in Newport Beach, California, paid tribute to the classic FJ40 Land Cruiser that has a huge cult following around the world. When the concept was unveiled at the 2003 Detroit Motor Show, reaction was so positive that Toyota decided to put the FJ Cruiser into production.
The five-door body features rear-opening doors
When the production model went on sale three years after the concept was first shown, the SUV’s characterful styling remained remarkably faithful to the concept vehicle, including the distinctive, thick side pillar behind those truncated rear doors, which opened rearwards for access to the back seats. The FJ Cruiser’s short-wheelbase, ladder-frame chassis was based on the one used in the 120-Series Land Cruiser Prado with power from a dependable, 4-litre V6.
FJ Cruiser is a proper off-roader
Toyota wanted serious off-road performance from the FJ Cruiser, so it tested the car on demanding trails like the Rubicon that are popular with US off-road enthusiasts. An active traction control system, low-range transfer case, electronic-locking rear differential and a high crawl ratio with the manual transmission option all help keep you moving on the trail. Not all FJs were 4WD, though: a RWD option was popular with customers who preferred their vehicles to be more Cruiser than FJ.
The interior is made to get dirty
The FJ’s interior is adapted to the go-anywhere brief with ventilated, water-repellent seats and easy-to-clean surfaces. The seats are upholstered with a fabric backed by a special breathable resin coating, which helps them to shed liquids so that they can be easily wiped down. Liquids are prevented from penetrating the stitched seams by a sealant. Meanwhile the floor surfaces are covered with a grey, rubber-like material for easy cleaning.
It doesn’t skimp on windscreen wipers
The FJ Cruiser has three wipers for the windscreen. The three wiper arms cover almost the entirety of the wide, near-vertical front screen, so you’ll always be able to see a path through the mud, sand or river washing over the bonnet. Many owners fit an intake snorkel and diff/transmission breathers to go even deeper than the standard wading depth.
FJ Cruiser remains highly sought after
At the time of writing, your money is safe in an FJ Cruiser. The car picked up resale value awards during its time on sale Stateside, but its reputation has grown further since and used prices are as solid as ever. One factor could be relatively modest new sales: more than 200,000 were sold in the US over eight years, but more than half of those came in the first two years on sale, before the global financial crisis took its toll from 2008.
You can see an FJ Cruiser coming (usually)
Voodoo Blue is the name of the FJ Cruiser’s signature bright blue colour, paired with a contrasting white roof. Sun Fusion (yellow, to you and I) was another popular choice while special colours available during the car’s eight-year stay in the North American market included Army Green, Cement Grey and Sandstorm (beige). Enthusiastic owners have given their vehicles a makeover with wraps depicting camouflage, Jurassic Park, paint splatters, mountain ranges and more.
Tuning and modification is popular
Toyota Racing Development (TRD) weighed in with a telling contribution to the US run-out model in 2014, the Trail Teams Ultimate Edition. The reworked suspension boasted TRD springs that raised the ride height at the front to level out the stance and improve the approach angle when off-roading. TRD Bilstein race dampers provided greater damping force, articulation and high-speed stability, while remote reservoirs for the rears increased the resistance to damping fade. Other TRD mods included a front skid plate and 16in beadlock wheels.
It remains a cult car in the UK
FJ Cruisers were never sold new by Toyota in the UK, but dozens are on the roads today thanks to personal imports or specialist brokers. Right-hand-drive cars from Japan are an easy fit to UK roads, while other prospective owners prefer to access the more plentiful LHD cars from the North American market.
You can still buy one… somewhere
The FJ Cruiser is still on sale. Seven years after it disappeared from view in North America and four years after the ‘Final Edition’ in Japan, the FJ Cruiser remains in production for sale in South Africa! Like the FJ40 that inspired it, the FJ Cruiser has an appeal that looks set to run and run.
Words by Graham Heeps
With thanks to Toyota USA for the images
Please build a new one, RHD, available in the UK, with a petrol V8 and a manual gearbox 🙂
Hi Gez,
Thanks for your comment. We’re glad to hear that you’re a fan of the FJ Cruiser!
We don’t have any plans to share regarding this.
However, the Toyota FT-4X concept, inspired by the classic FJ, may be of interest to you in terms of further reading: https://mag.toyota.co.uk/toyota-ft-4x-concept-a-rugged-toolbox-inspired-by-the-classic-fj/.
Thanks.
Hi I have a 2014 import from Oz in good condition and have enjoyed if from new. One owner. where would be the best place to put it up for sale ?
YES! FJ must come to UK and don’t mess with the look too much if a new one is styled or powered by electric or hybrid. I don’t like all those SUV’s out there so boring and not really off-road able, I will keep my money until Toyota brings this here.
I hope that the FJ cruiser comes out again in the global market, and I hope that the FT-4x comes out this or the next model year!
I saw one of these in Bicester a couple of days ago and wondered what it was, obviously knew it was a Toyota.
You can’t miss ’em!
please make a new one for the uk it would be a good seller!
Hi Toyota Fan,
Thanks for your kind words!
We don’t currently have any more information to share on a UK FJ Land cruiser. Keep an eye on our blog and social channels for the latest!
Thanks.
If I win the lottery Ill source one of these babies from somewhere in the globe. Preferably with a diesel engine. Until then, I’ll settle for my 2021 RAV4 hybrid.
Yes bring to UK!
Can they run on the new e10 petrol?
Hi Gary,
We recommend E5 fuel for imported vehicles.
Thanks
Runs on E10 (ethanol) or E15 (MTBE) – page 203 of my owners manual – mine is a 2007 model imported new directly in 2007.
I have had 2 FJ’s and I am always stopped in Car Parks etc and asked “What is it”.
I am a company director and always has a new car every 2 years with all the mod cons, but my FJ with nothing extra other than AC and a newly fitted 6” sat nav, will do me for May years to come 😀
Hi Stephen,
Thanks for your comment. We are glad to hear your FJ Cruiser is serving you well.
What colour did you choose?
Thanks.
Hi, the FJ gets me so exited as proper of road vehicle, and until a new one comes ( just a matter of time ) I will source a rhd version overseas as I live in the UK.
Brought my LHD 2014 FJ back from a project in the middle East, I have now finally completed the UK IVA process. I had to get a miles per h. speedometer, a rear fog light + fog light switch and convert the amber parking lights to white LED. The car is a tank, the price of the E10 is going to kill these type of cars… This is the only down side of this car otherwise it is a good investment, just look at the prices of low milage models in the US of A!
Wow just love these.. didn’t even know they existed….soon as I can get some money together im getting one in voodoo blue…I think toyota should bring back into production for UK market
Toyota fan
Hi Julian,
Thanks for your kind words.
We would love to see it when you get your hands on one.
Thanks.
Ive had mine since Jan 2011 bought in UAE, LHD. Imported to UK 2013. Its worthwhile looking at LPG conversion, saves a fortune on fuel prices. Only issue is that LPG is dwindling as an option at the pumps. Its black and travels mostly in hants, any FJ drivers that pass I’ll be waving
When I contacted my local Toyota dealer about getting work done on my imported FJ Cruiser, they said that ‘Unfortunately we do not have access to the parts catalogue for this model and would not be able to provide the part or price.’ so it’s a bit odd to see the article about FJs here 😀.
My FJ Cruiser is in the container – ex South Africa – being offloaded today as we ‘speak’. I’ve recently emigrated from South Africa and was hoping to service the car locally – Colchester – via Steven Eagell. They have confirmed a regular service could be undertaken BUT diagnostics etc will be a ‘problem’. Have you found an option for your imported FJ?
Would you have a reasonable car insurance company you could recommend? The online option does not even list the FJ…
I’m just going to take my car to a nearby independent garage for servicing work (on the advice of another local FJ owner) and hope that nothing too complicated is required. I had it for 5 years in the UAE and servicing is all that it ever really needed. For insurance, I got a good price from A Plan Thatcham. They are familiar with the FJ. Of course, the price depends on where you live and how old you are etc. Good luck with yours. You are at the other end of the country to me.
I live just south of Colchester. There is a garage 30 mins from me, in South Woodham Ferrers, called Toyo-Tech, (a small garage ran by a couple of lads that used to work for Toyota) granted its a 45 minute drive from you but they are really good. Just had my FJ serviced 2 days ago. Really happy with the service. They said they entered the VIN number on the system and all the service part numbers were there. Had my car back same day. For insurance, I used the broker “Advance” as I had been out the country 13 years, I had to start again with NCD, they were the cheapest I found.
Many thanks for this Pete – I have just imported a 2016 FJ and have been looking for an independent in the same area. Hopefully they can help me fit a long range tank as the single tank on the JDM models is a bit small.