The original FJ Series (1960-1983) was known for its off-road tenacity, and the FJ Cruiser aimed to put a modern twist on its all-out rugged performance. These 21-century SUVs share exterior design cues with the original, not to mention impressive approach and departure angles. But they also add modern muscle, with their coveted DOHC 4.0-liter V6 (239 hp, 278 lb-ft before 2010 and 260 hp and 271 lb-ft from 2010 on) and your choice of a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.
An FJ Cruiser with four-wheel drive also comes with low-range gearing and a locking center differential for extra traction when you need it most. Four-wheel-drive SUVs also feature a traction-control system with a brake-based electronic locking differential, so you can take your adventure even further into the wild. A mechanically locking rear differential was optional, so you should be able to find one on the used market.
Any FJ Cruiser with the manual transmission has a full-time four-wheel drive system. Two-wheel-drive versions of this SUV were also available. In addition to their off-road prowess, the FJ Cruisers offer decent towing capabilities, moving up to 5,000 pounds.
Inside, these sporty SUVs keep things simple, with a straightforward design and driver-friendly controls. You can expect long term comfort in both rows of seating, with generous passenger space throughout the cabin. Throughout its run, the FJ Cruiser was offered as one trim model with standard features that include air conditioning, power accessories, and manually adjustable front seats. Shoppers could add packages for upgrades, which included a rearview camera, auto-dimming rearview mirror, or even a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Optional performance features included Bilstein shocks and a performance exhaust kit!
As this generation wore on, Toyota made some tweaks to the FJ Cruiser. Here’s a look at the important changes, according to model year: