Toyota FJ Cruiser

Manufacturer	Toyota
Production	2006–present
Model years	2007–present
Assembly	China: Guangzhou Japan: Hamura, Tokyo, (Hino) Philippines: Santa Rosa, Laguna (Pilipinas Hino)
Class	Compact SUV
Body style	2+2-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Engine	4.0 L 1GR-FE V6
Transmission	6-speed manual (4WD only) 5-speed automatic
Wheelbase	105.9 in (2,690 mm)
Length	183.9 in (4,671 mm)
Width	2007-09: 74.6 in (1,895 mm) 2010-: 75.0 in (1,905 mm)
Height	71.3 in (1,811 mm) (2WD) 72.0 in (1,829 mm) (4WD)
Curb weight	4,050 lb (1,840 kg) (2WD) 4,290 lb (1,950 kg) (4WD manual) 4,295 lb (1,948 kg) (4WD automatic)
Related	Toyota 4Runner Toyota Tacoma Toyota Hilux Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a retro-style SUV produced by Toyota introduced as a concept at the February 2003 Chicago Auto Show and in production form at the January 2010 North American International Auto Show. It went on sale in early 2006 as a 2007 model and features styling reminiscent of the original Toyota FJ40 Land Cruisers from the 1960s (particularly the front fascia, white roof and wrap around rear windows) and is based on the Land Cruiser Prado platform. The FJ Cruiser was not originally intended for production but due to enormous consumer response about the car following the North American International Auto Show, production eventually began in early 2006. FJ Cruisers are built by Hino Motors in Hamura, Japan.

Design

The FJ Cruiser is Toyota's only current vehicle to use the name "Toyota" spelled out across the grille instead of the corporate emblem (the first since the 1994 Toyota Land Cruiser), a nod to the classic FJ40 and Land Cruiser family and to older Toyotas before the introduction of the Toyota emblem in 1990 for the 1991 model year. This off-road vehicle usually attracts young buyers that want a sporty vehicle that is built for the off-road terrain.

The FJ's body features rear access doors that give a unique look to the SUV. The FJ captures its heritage with its short wheelbase, stocky frame, and grille/headlight arrangement. The windshield is nearly vertical with three windshield wipers for maximum surface area coverage. Structurally, it is a "body on frame" truck style design based on the Hilux platform. Toyota has made revisions to the engine bay inner fender aprons due to some bulging and cracking issues with 2007 and some early 2008 models. The bulges and cracks in the inner fenders were attributed to a Toyota design flaw through certain VIN numbers. Toyota has addressed the problem and has changed the design to specs.

2007–2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser (US)

2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser (Japan)

The FJ Cruiser uses a high-mounted, double wishbone front suspension and stabilizer bar, and a 4-link rear suspension with lateral rod with coil springs and stabilizer bar. The 120-series Land Cruiser Prado shares the same suspension parts as the FJ Cruiser.

The FJ Cruiser uses power-assisted 4-piston front/2-piston rear ventilated disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and is also equipped with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control (TRAC).

2007 update

In 2007 for the 2008 model year, the FJ Cruiser received only minor changes. Three new colors were added: Brick (red), Sandstorm (beige) and Iceberg (white), with the latter retaining its white roof. The color Black Cherry Pearl was discontinued.

Added for 2008 to all models: front seat mounted side airbags and roll-sensing front and rear head / side curtain airbags. Engine immobilizer, rear window wiper, front seat side sun visors, tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), integrated remote in key.

The "B" package has been renamed "Off-Road package", and now includes P265/75R16 BFG Rugged Trail tires on alloy rims as well as Bilstein shock absorbers. The temperature/compass/inclinometer cluster that was previously on available in the "C" package also included. On US models, the roof rack is no longer included, but is available as a dealer add-on. Canadian models retain the roof rack. Other features from the 2007 "B" package are unchanged.

Canadian "C" package now receives SubWoofer to the FJammer Audio system, which was unavailable in Canada previously.

2010 update

In late 2010 for the 2011 model year, new 17-inch wheels were fitted and there were minor changes to the interior trim. At this time, production of the FJ Cruiser began in right-hand drive form. These Japanese produced right-hand drive models have a different rear bumper to North American models with the license plate located on the bumper as opposed to under the tailgate door handle. Right-hand drive versions also have the side indicator markers on the fender panels rather than in the side-view mirrors as is the for left-hand drive production.

Market

North America

At 183.9 inches in length, the FJ Cruiser is the longest compact SUV offered by Toyota in North America, slotting between the smaller RAV4 (181.1 in. overall length; originally rumored to be replaced by the FJ Cruiser) and the mid-size Highlander (184.6 in. overall length); it still remains in this position today.

The addition of the FJ Cruiser adds a sixth SUV in Toyota's American lineup. Toyota now has two compact SUVs (the crossover RAV4 and FJ Cruiser), two mid-size SUVs (the crossover Highlander and 4Runner), and two full-size SUVs (Sequoia and Land Cruiser). One in each category is designed for on-road use, while the other caters to those who may take the vehicle offroad (though the Sequoia and Land Cruiser are body-on-frame SUVs, the Sequoia is generally more car-like and more oriented for towing).

2007–2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser (US)

The 2007 FJ Cruiser was offered in 5 colors - "Sun Fusion" (yellow), "Black Cherry" (dark magenta), "Titanium Metallic" (silver), "Black Diamond" (black), and "Voodoo Blue" (blue). Available options and packages include:

• Convenience Package - tri-wiper configuration; a remote keyless entry system; cruise control; power outside mirrors with illuminated markers; rear privacy glass; rear wiper; rear intuitive parking assist; and daytime running lights.

• Upgrade Package 1 - 17-in., 6-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with P265/70R17 tires with exterior rear-door mounted full-size spare; Active Traction Control (4WD only); electronically locking rear differential; 115V, 400w power outlet; AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer, MP3/WMA playback capability, and 8 speakers; exterior color-keyed door trim inserts; multi-information display floating ball type (with inclinometer, compass, and temperature); leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio controls; and aluminum brush transmission lever and transfer lever (on 4WD models).

• Upgrade Package 2 - similar to Upgrade Package 1, except the stereo includes a subwoofer with off switch.

• Other options include driver and front passenger front-seat mounted side airbags and front- and second-row side curtain airbags.

There are a number of accessories available to the FJ Cruiser, including such things as running boards, rock rails, roof rack, front skid plate, brush guard, Garmin portable navigation device, spare tire cover, passenger-side armrest, dash applique, tow hitch, cargo mats, and cargo net.

For North America, Toyota Racing Development (TRD) produced the limited production TRD Special Edition FJ Cruiser, which includes such things as a TRD performance exhaust, TRD air filter, upgraded suspension components (TRD/Bilstein off-road tuned shocks, painted red), rock rails, and TRD badges. The TRD Special Edition is available only in black & army green paint schemes, and includes a black roof (instead of the traditional white), as well as 16-inch gun-metal gray finish wheels (instead of the traditional 17-inch bright aluminum), including the spare. The TRD Special Edition includes mechanical changes to synchronize the locking differential with the active traction control (resulting in the rear differential no longer overriding the active traction), which enables the FJ Cruiser to navigate through difficult off-road terrain. Production numbers for the TRD Special Edition are limited to 3,200 units for the 2007 model year and 3,500 for the 2008 model year Trail Team Special Edition. Base price for the TRD Special Edition FJ Cruiser is approximately US$23,735 (manual transmission) and US$24,145 (automatic transmission), with the TRD Special Edition package carrying a US$7,265 premium on manual transmission models, and US$7,250 for automatic models, for a total MSRP of approximately US$31,000 for manual transmission models and US$31,395 for automatic transmission models. Optional TRD parts include a bolt-on supercharger kit.

2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser (Australia)

Asia

On 25 November 2010, Toyota announced sales would begin in right-hand drive form for the Japanese market. Sales began on December 4, replacing the outgoing Hilux Surf and selling alongside the Land Cruiser. Like Australian models, the JDM version is right hand drive.

In 2007, Toyota began selling the FJ Cruiser in Mexico (as a 2008 model), and also in China.

Australasia

Sales of the 2010 updated model began in Australia during mid-March 2011.

The FJ Cruiser was released for sale in New Zealand in 2011 with a base price of NZ$70,000 which places it between the Highlander and Land Cruiser Prado as a niche model in the line up. In other markets it is positioned between the RAV4 and Highlander. The only specification available as of March 2011 is the four-wheel drive automatic.

Powertrain

The FJ Cruiser uses the 4.0L 1GR-FE DOHC V6 with VVT-i, rated at 259 hp (193 kW) at 4400 rpm, and 270 lb·ft (370 N·m) of torque at 4400 rpm ([1]). It is the same engine that is used in some versions of the Tacoma and 4Runner. For the 2010 model year the FJ Cruiser's engine gains Dual VVT-i resulting in an additional 19 hp (14 kW) and improved fuel economy.

• 5-speed A750E automatic transmission (on rear-wheel drive models) + a triple rear track on the front wheels.
• 5-speed A750F automatic transmission with VF2A transfer case (made in Japan) (on Part-time 4x4 models)
• 6-speed RA61F manual transmission with VF4B transfer case and limited slip differential (on Full-time 4x4 models).

4WD models equipped with the RA61F manual transmission have a full time 4WD system that is permanently engaged; it employs front, centre and rear differentials, similar to Subaru AWD vehicles and the Lada Niva. 4WD models with automatic transmission have a part time system using a transfer case, typical of traditional 4WD trucks like Toyota's own Tundra. 2WD models are only available with automatic transmission, and come standard with a limited-slip rear differential.

Safety

Side curtain airbags for both rows and side torso airbags optional on 2007 models became standard on 2008 models, Vehicle Stability Control is standard.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has awarded the FJ Cruiser its Top Safety Pick accolade. The FJ Cruiser received a "Good" overall rating in both the front and side impacts tests and also received the "Good" rating in all 14 measured categories.

NHTSA crash test ratings (2008):

Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:
Side Rear Passenger:
Rollover:

Sales