Overview & Reviews

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a midsize SUV that harks back to the company's iconic FJ40 Series of Land Cruisers. Like the old FJ40, the Toyota FJ Cruiser has superior off-road capabilities. It's built on a truck-based, ladder-frame chassis and features a stout suspension and drivetrain, sharing its underlying hardware with Toyota's 4Runner SUV. Toyota designed the FJ Cruiser to be a bit more specialized, however. Compared to the 4Runner, it's smaller, less expensive and more capable in off-road situations, and it's meant to appeal to younger and more active consumers.

Most Recent Toyota FJ Cruiser
The Toyota FJ Cruiser was produced from 2007 through 2014, with only relatively minor changes made throughout that eight-year run. A midsize SUV, the FJ Cruiser focused on off-road performance and thus in personality and in some cases styling (such as the grille and headlights), paid homage to the original FJ40 of the 1960s. The FJ Cruiser featured two standard front doors supplemented with a pair of smaller, reverse-opening rear doors to provide easier access to the rear seat.

The sole engine used was a 4.0-liter V6. Output depended on the year, as the first three years it was rated at 239 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque while for 2010 and later the specs stood at 260 hp and 270 lb-ft. Rear-wheel drive was standard and two different 4WD systems were available. One was a part-time system, while the other was a full-time system. All FJ Cruisers except those with the full-time 4WD came with a five-speed automatic; those with the full-time 4WD had a six-speed manual along with a locking rear differential.

There was just one trim level with the FJ Cruiser. Standard feature highlights included 17-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, power windows and locks, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat, water-resistant cloth upholstery, Bluetooth phone and audio, a CD player, satellite radio and auxiliary/iPod/USB inputs. Options (which sometimes depended on region and model year) included alloy wheels, a rear wiper, a rearview camera, an electronic locking rear differential, rear parking sensors and extra gauges. Several off-road-oriented features (such as heavy-duty suspension components, tires, roof racks, driving lights, rock rails and cargo covers) were also available, as were similarly themed packages that usually included specific styling details.

Changes throughout the years were essentially limited to features availability. First year FJs offered optional side and side curtain airbags, but they were made standard for 2008, while the following year saw the debut of the rearview camera option, which we highly recommend. For 2011, the FJ Cruiser received an upgraded audio system and better access to the rear seat (which also gained folding headrests). Three years later, Toyota celebrated the FJ's last year with the limited-production (only 2,500 built) Trail Teams Ultimate Edition package.

With such serious four-wheel-drive systems available, a major draw for shoppers will be the vehicle's off-road abilities. The Toyota FJ Cruiser was designed to have considerable wheel travel, high ground clearance and a tough, fully boxed frame. The front suspension is independent with a double-wishbone design, while the rear features a solid rear axle with a four-link coil-spring suspension.

In reviews, the Toyota FJ Cruiser earned positive commentary for its impressive off-road ability, surprisingly fun on-road driving experience, comfortable front seats and distinctive exterior styling. FJ Cruiser drawbacks included limited outward visibility and a rear seat area that wasn't particularly comfortable or easy to access even with the reverse-opening rear doors.

User Reviews:

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  Joes FJ Ride - 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Joes Ride - April 17 - 4:53 pm

  This is a fun to drive, off road 4X4. Built like a tank however, the ride is good. 20 MPG in city driving, not bad! Have the TRD exhaust and not sure it does anything for the performance? But it sound good! Have been using regular gas and only notice a slight loss of power. Engine on a synthetic diet now that I have 9000 miles on it.

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  A Comfortable Beast - 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By joef5 - April 17 - 1:19 pm

  Well, you only buy one of these if your looking for a all terrain vehicle, this is what itÂ’s for and this is what is does very well. I have done sand dunes, and 2 feet of snow with ease. I am amazed at some of these reviews, Jesus. I am not going to complain about a chevy 4 cyl thatÂ’s gets lots of MPG because it cant fit 8 people, and I am not going to complain about a Rubicon 4X4 because its not a luxury ride, there are different cars and trucks for different things. The FJ Cruiser is a all terrain vehicle thatÂ’s very capable of normal driving, its quiet, its dependable, I know people with over 100,000 miles without one problem and it will go ANYWHERE you want. You just feel safe in it.

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  This SUV ROCKS!!! - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By maria caldarola - April 14 - 8:26 pm

  Smooth!!! Great take off!!! Tight and takes the tight corners like a dream!!! Driving is a pleasure! Body style is fablous retro.Gotta love the Voodoo Blue color. It just makes everybody look!! Everyone around here wants one!!! Cant wait for the snow to test out the 4 wheel drive. Gas mileage is a bummer tho.

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  Sold the Jeep - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Dynamo - March 29 - 9:06 pm

  I have owned jeeps since 1976 and loved them until the FJ came along. It is a climbing animal, l have taken it on a number on four wheel runs just outside of Phoenix that I had run in my jeep and the FJ preformed perfectly.

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  Best Compact SUV - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By terahex - March 25 - 4:16 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned! This is a fun car to drive, very responsive to the wheel and pedals. It offers a nice smooth and quiet ride in the city, yet it is fully capable of going off tackling some of the roughest 4x4 trails. The FJ has received a lot of comments about the large c-pillars blocking vision. I have not found this to be a problem. The side large mirrors more than make of lost vision. You just have to recondition they way you drive.

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  Great ( land ) cruiser - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By western6 - March 17 - 4:30 am

  I love this rig! It smells, drives, performs like a land cruiser. This is my fourth cruiser.

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  FJ is awsome! - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Suzanne - March 9 - 1:03 pm

  I love my FJ! I have had it for 3 months, and have not found one thing I dont like about it. Everywhere I go people ask "what kind of truck is that" "how much was it" etc etc. Im not afraid to say that Ive had at least 1 positive comment a day since my purchase. Mine is yellow. Im very impressed with the on-road comfort. Every 4x4 Ive ever had was rough on road, but not the FJ. The inside is super easy to clean. My little 4 year old boy loves it too, and the back is perfect for him, even on long trips. I have to say I wouldnt change anything about it, except maybe a little better gas mileage. Best purchase ever!

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  Its not for everybody, but its for me!! - 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By sodes - March 7 - 7:04 pm

  I purchase a 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser in the spring of 2009 after suffering through another Chicago Winter with my Honda Accord. Two tires and rims at a cost of nearly $1000 after hitting a few potholes prompted my decision. Also, I needed a vehicle to pull my snowmobiles and our small lexus RX350 was just barely up for the task. Having put nearly 40K on the truck since I purchased it I can honestly say that there is nothing the city can throw at me that it cant take. This recent February the Blizzard of 2011 dropped nearly 20" of snow in 24 hours. With stock tires this truck blasted through drifts up to the hood, through rutted tracks upto the doors with ease, just keep on the gas..

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  FJ Lover - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By FJ Lover - March 2 - 8:53 am

  I bought the FJ Cruiser after having driven a fully loaded Ford Explorer for the past 8 years. Its my first foreign car and so far Im very pleased with it (only has about 1000 miles on it at this time). Ive gotten about 20 MPG on the first 3 tanks of gas with about 50/50 city/highway driving. The ride feels tall but handles well and is quieter than youd expect for a vehicle that looks this tough and is so utilitarian. I test drove the smaller Rav4 and Honda CR-V as well as the Honda Pilot and Ridgeline and Toyota 4Runner and this was by far, hands down, the most fun to drive.

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  fj cruiser review - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By arnold roque - February 27 - 2:23 am

  its fun and great to drive