In a market that's gone SUV crazy, the Tonka-Toy FJ Cruiser now makes more sense than ever

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a modern take on a classic off-road beast. Toyota brought the concept to life and the design drew inspiration from the FJ40 land cruiser. Due to its popularity at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show, the designers took the FJ from concept to production in just three years. making its debut for the 2007 model year. For those who don’t know, the average time to production on a brand new car design is seven years making the FJ cruiser's quick rollout impressive on this one metric alone. The FJ was eventually crowned the SUV of the Year in 2007.

There are many things to take away from this daily driver rock crawler. Whether you are looking for a cool grocery hauler or a capable off-road toy, the FJ Cruiser can cover your bases. With a massive list of customizable upgrades, unique colors, and one-of-a-kind styling, it’s no wonder so many people love it. Its resale value has stood the test of time against a solid competitor and it continues to have a community of enthusiasts carrying its torch. While Toyota discontinued the FJ Cruiser due to slowing sales caused by the recession, it has left a lasting impression on the market.

The FJ Cruiser Came in many trims from 2007 to 2014. They include:

All variations of the Toyota FJ Cruiser from 2007-2009 came with a 4.0 L 24valve v6 - singleVVT-i - 239 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. 2010 and onward you got an upgraded powerplant with a 4.0L DOHC 24v V6 - dual VVT-i new roller rocker arms - 258 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The only variation of the power plant is the available supercharger option on the 2008 All Terrain Package.

You can choose between two-wheel drive with the power going to the rear wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive with a five-speed automatic transmission, and a four-wheel drive six-speed manual.

Your suspension options remain limited, yet capable with all models coming stock with high-mounted double-wishbone front suspension. The 4-link rear suspension with a lateral rod, coil springs, and a stabilizer bar gave the package nine inches of travel. The only options you have outside of this package are the TRD package with High Speed tuned Billstein Shocks and the All-terrain and Off-road Packages with Trail-Tuned Billstein Shocks.

The main attractions of the FJ’s all-terrain capabilities are the A-Trac system (available on all models except the convenience package), locking rear differential, and the optional Crawl Control (2013 forward). Another nifty feature is the high-mounted air intake for extra breathing room while driving through deeper water conditions.

With the FJ you can achieve 17 miles per gallon in the city and 20 on the highway and can tow up to 5,000 pounds. While these numbers are relatively impressive the metrics that draw in the masses are its Off-Road capabilities.

The FJ Cruiser is essentially a hat tip to the FJ40 that put Toyota on the map as a global brand selling the maverick model for 40 years straight. At first glance, the FJ looks simplistic and boxy but there is a lot of function in its design.

First, for the off-roaders, let's talk about functionality. The FJ featured a high-waisted bumper, designed damage while off-roading while also giving it an approach angle of 34 degrees and a departure angle of 30 degrees. You can also drive through water at 27.5 inches deep.

The front windshield is flat with three wiper blades. Which at first seems unique but once put through its paces we have learned that the windshield is prone to breaking and the extra wiper adds excessive noise. While loading the FJ cabin you will find the doors open to a full 90 degrees. This helps tremendously with the entrance and exit as well as cleaning out the interior.

The Toyota FJ Cruiser interior is set up in many ways like the rest of the vehicle, for utility. You get five seats, finished in fabric and PVC to help you stay in place while driving. The floors feature water-resistant rubber, making your post-off-roading cleanup simple by being able to hose out the bottom of the cabin.

On the dash, you will find old-style head units with specific packages allowing Bluetooth connection. Although there is a lot more that you'd want about the setup inside, considering the wide range of dummy switches left available, it will make your imagination run wild with all the possibilities of upgrades you can add to the dash.

The FJ Cruiser features plenty of cargo capacity with almost 28 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and just under 67 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

Used Toyota FJ Cruisers have retained resale value better than almost any car on the market which proves the fact they are highly sought after. The base model market price for the FJ Cruiser has doubled from $14,000 to $27,000 and currently, you can find them between a price range of $12,000 to $47,000 depending on the model and condition. Here's what the present market Toyota FJ Cruiser's looks like. The versatility of the FJ paired with its wide range of customization options makes it a fun vehicle to make part of your collection.

In the earlier models from 2007 to 2009, the FJ’s had issues with the rear differential and pinion gears cracking. Toyota resolved this problem in 2010 when they enlarged the differential from 8.0 inches to 8.2 inches, making the gears more robust.

Also from 2007 to 2009, the FJ had an issue called fender bulging. This is where the body of the front fenders would crack which could cause a compromise to the structural integrity of the frame. They took care of this issue in 2010 but if you are in the market for an FJ make sure to keep an eye out for this issue.

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a capable off-roader and distinct daily driver. Although the FJ Cruiser may be a direct competitor to the Jeep Wrangler it has many standalone differences. You may find yourself bonding with its unique character and fun quirks. Its stable resale value speaks for itself when it comes to its stamp on the market. Lastly, there is a new Toyota FJ Cruiser primed to make a comeback in 2024 but as of now it looks to be an all-electric model with a slightly different name, so take that as you will.

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