Toyota FJ Cruiser
The Toyota FJ Cruiser is an off-road-oriented SUV with exceptional four-wheel-drive capabilities due to its shorter wheelbase and raised suspension. The FJ Cruiser offers seating for five adults in two rows, along with useful cargo capacity. The promise of capability is fulfilled with its 4.0-liter V6 engine and the buyer’s choice of a five-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. Inside, the FJ Cruiser focuses on function over luxury, but it’s a comfortable vehicle. The FJ has two main doors, but it also has small reverse-opening doors to ease access to the rear seat, plus a rear hatch.
Explore the evolution of the Toyota FJ Cruiser
Get our expert take on used Toyota FJ Cruiser models, or view year-by-year changes.
First generation Toyota FJ Cruiser
Toyota made only one generation of the FJ Cruiser, but this off-road SUV is fast becoming legendary, offering a uniquely rugged off-road look backed up by exceptional capability. There is seating for five passengers in an accessible cabin and a rear cargo area with an easy-to-clean plastic surface.
The FJ Cruiser is powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine, paired with an automatic or a manual transmission. Manual transmission models use a full-time four-wheel-drive system that can be shifted from high to low range, while automatic transmission models use a more traditional part-time system that functions as rear-wheel drive when not engaged. Toyota did make a few FJ models that are rear-wheel-drive only, so be sure to check.
Inside, the FJ Cruiser is built for off-road work, so it’s easy to clean, and the reverse-opening back-seat doors offer easy access to the interior.
Model highlights
Two-row SUV
Seating for five passengers
4.0-liter V6 engine
Automatic or manual transmission
Capable four-wheel-drive systems
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2007 - 2014
2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Highlights
Special Ultimate Edition available
Final year for FJ Cruiser production
Learn more
2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Looking for 2012 models or older?
CarMax only sells 2013 models and newer. But no matter the year, we'll happily buy your car.
Reliability
RepairPal gave the Toyota FJ Cruiser an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Toyota FJ Cruiser 11th out of 32 among Midsize SUVs.
RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Toyota FJ Cruiser is $419, compared to an average of $494 for Midsize SUVs and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
According to RepairPal, Toyota FJ Cruiser owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 1.0 times per year, compared to an average of 1.0 times for Midsize SUVs and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 15% for the Toyota FJ Cruiser, compared to an average of 14% for Midsize SUVs and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
Jeff Zurschmeide has been an automotive journalist for more than 20 years, covering the new car business as well as motorsports and industry news. He lives in Tillamook, Oregon, at the confluence of great roads, nice weather, and plenty of space for a collection of strange old automobiles.
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