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Toyota FJ Cruiser: Iconic Design Meets Off-Road Adventure

By Barnell Anderson

July 31, 2020; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; A man secures a load of plywood to the roof rack of his Toyota FJ Cruiser at the Home Depot on Palm Beach Lakes Blvd in preparation for Hurricane Isaias. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Forzano/Palm Beach Post via USA TODAY NETWORK
July 31, 2020; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; A man secures a load of plywood to the roof rack of his Toyota FJ Cruiser at the Home Depot on Palm Beach Lakes Blvd in preparation for Hurricane Isaias. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Forzano/Palm Beach Post via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Toyota has a number of iconic vehicles that it has discontinued over the years. Perhaps the most notable is the Toyota FJ Cruiser. Not only is this one of the best off-roading SUVs, but it has a dynamic look that still fits in today. In fact, some even see the Toyota FJ Cruiser on the road and assume it’s a brand new model. We know that Toyota recently brought back the Land Cruiser, so hopefully, the FJ will soon make its highly anticipated return.

Here’s a look into the Toyota FJ Cruiser and how it ranks on the used SUV market today.

The Toyota FJ Cruiser only lasted for a single generation

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is among the best off-roading SUVs
A Toyota FJ Cruiser parks in front of a Gray Hodges warehouse in the Magnolia Warehouse District in Knoxville, Tenn., on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.Kns Old City /

Though it lasted longer in other parts of the world, Toyota only sold the FJ Cruiser from 2007 until 2014 in the United States. However, to the surprise of many, the FJ Cruiser remained in production in some parts of the world until December 2022. However, those models are hard to come by for most people.

The 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser is the first model. According to Edmunds, it uses a 4.0-liter V6 engine with a maximum output of 239 horsepower and a torque of 278 lb-ft. It has rear and four-wheel drive configurations and uses either a five-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. Regarding speed, the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in about 7.8 seconds. While this may not sound super impressive, it’s pretty great for a vehicle that weighs 4,300 pounds. The 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

By the end of its run in the U.S. and many other parts of the world, the Toyota FJ Cruiser offered similar performance. The 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser also uses a 4.0-liter engine. This one is a bit more powerful. It has a maximum output of 260 horsepower and a torque of 271 lb-ft. It also retained the same transmission options. Of course, it is one of the best off-roading SUVs because it has a ground clearance of 9.6 inches. Additionally, it uses 17 inch wheels. Potential buyers should note that the 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser has a slightly lower towing capacity than earlier models, as it can carry up to 4,700 pounds.

Why did Toyota discontinue the FJ Cruiser

A Yellow Toyota FJ Cruiser
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA – NOVEMBER 07: Toyota – FJ Cruiser is displayed during the 14th International Motor Show Bogota at Corferias Convention Center in Bogota, Colombia on November 07, 2018. (Photo by Lokman Ilhan/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /

Low sales are usually the reason mainstream automakers discontinue their vehicles. Unfortunately, this is the case for the Toyota FJ Cruiser. However, this situation requires a bit of elaboration. Initially, sales for the vehicle were pretty high as this is one of the best off-roading SUVs. The problem is that the recession happened in 2008, and it caused sales for vehicles like the FJ Cruiser to tumble.

Part of the issue with the Toyota FJ Cruiser is its relatively poor fuel economy. While there are worse vehicles on the market in this regard, no gas guzzler was safe during the recession of 2008 in America. For context, the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser averages 17 miles per gallon in the city and 21 MPG on the highway. The 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser was slightly worse, with one less mile per gallon in both driving distinctions.

How much is it worth today?

People looking for a Toyota FJ Cruiser for sale these days have many options to choose from. This is despite the fact the vehicle only lasted for a generation on the market. However, the FJ Cruiser doesn’t come cheap. In fact, a buyer could easily spend the same amount a new vehicle would cost on a used Toyota FJ Cruiser. This isn’t just because it’s one of the best off-roading SUVs but also because it’s simply an awesome vehicle that stands out from the crowd.

Regarding prices, there is a pretty healthy range. For example, CarFax lists the 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser for around $24,999 and calls it a ‘good value.’ However, you can also find some of the first few model years nearly as expensive. People will also be happy to note that some models of the celebrated Toyota SUV cost below $10,000. Though no one wants to pay a ton for a used vehicle, this price shows how valuable of an SUV the Toyota FJ Cruiser is.

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a vehicle with a strong legacy. Unlike many other discontinued vehicles, many people remember it. Additionally, there’s a crowd discovering it for the first time. It’s not uncommon to see several out and about while driving or walking through parking lots. This is a vehicle that would be an undeniable success if Toyota ever brought it back.

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