Toyota's decision to discontinue the FJ Cruiser was largely due to a decrease in sales, which was largely attributed to the recession. Additionally, complaints about the vehicle's side grip performance, limited load capacity, visibility issues, and rear seat comfort may have also contributed to its discontinuation. However, Toyota did offer one last option for true fans of the vehicle who weren't ready to say goodbye. In a statement, Toyota said that the FJ Cruiser was developed as an affordable and capable all-terrain vehicle for serious off-roaders.
Unfortunately, Toyota made the mistake of cutting costs on the cabin, allowing competitors to gain an advantage. Despite this, automotive journalists praised Toyota for daring to sell such an aggressive vehicle with an aggressive purpose, as the rest of their range was quite conservative. When Toyota decided to create an off-road vehicle that was different from their usual offerings, they released the FJ Cruiser. This vehicle quickly gained attention from Toyota fans due to its unique design and features.
However, sales were not strong enough to justify creating a second generation of the vehicle. To fill this gap in their lineup, Toyota began marketing their TRD Pro Series and classic 4Runners with similar appeal and capacity. Toyota attempted to address some of the issues with the FJ Cruiser by offering a reversing camera and changing the hinge mechanisms on the front seats for easier entry and exit from the rear. While some of the designs and parts were inspired by or adapted from other popular Toyota vehicles such as the Tacoma and 4Runner, it wasn't enough to save the FJ Cruiser from discontinuation. The FJ Cruiser is just one of many vehicles that have been discontinued over the past decade, including the Acura TL, BMW Z8, Chevy SS, Chevy Volt, Chrysler Town and Country, and Ford Focus.
