Do you know Toyota FJ Cruiser ? It Compact SUV we never had it in our catalog sold from 2006 to 2014. Mainly in North America and Gulf countries. In the middle of a wide range of SUVs – CH-R, RAV4, 4Runner or Highlander – he offered these rather “serious” models an alternative a fancy model, more subtle and fun. Because the specialty of the FJ Cruiser was this design II restored in version neo-retro 1951 Land Cruiser FJ/BJ style. The very first generation Flagship Toyota 4X4! Works on a 4-liter V6 engine with a capacity of 260 horsepowerhe offered himself for a choice in four-wheel drive or single-wheel drive. But under the guise of a crossover was the FJ Cruiser still a real franchisor, nimble and compact. Able to go anywhere off-road.

A resounding success in the United States

He met a a big success in the United Stateswhere it was sold more than 200 thousand copies. Assembled in Hamura in his native Japan, his production for the American market was discontinued in 2014. At that time, the car market was going through a serious economic crisis, and Toyota was forced to rationalize its range. So the decision was made to end his marketing on Uncle Sam’s land. last copies in stock were sold in the following months, but its production did not stop there… Toyota continued to sell it in the Persian Gulf countries, but also, above all, in South Africa. The last FJ Cruiser left the network quite recently, in December 2022 ! The stock was still sold off in some markets, but now it appears to bewell and truly done.

Resistance…in South Africa

Last week, it disappeared from the last catalog where it was still offered : South Africa. Very fond of 4X4 ​​and reliable SUVs, the Toyota range is very rich. It’s just, there are 7 crossovers/SUVs and 6 utilities! Among the curiosities that can still be ordered: a 1984 Land Cruiser J70! Following the end of marketing in Japan in 2018, the FJ Cruiser was collected in Hino and shipped to several markets in the Middle East, the Philippines, and South Africa SO. It was a slightly updated version of the 2006 FJ Cruiser. In recent years, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility was simply added to it.. Then he was offered 45 thousand dollars. He will not have a direct successor, at least there. Nevertheless, Toyota presented an intriguing electric concept that looks a lot like it: the Compact Cruiser EV. Should we see the return of the FJ Cruiser with electric sauce?