The Toyota FJ Cruiser was a beloved off-road vehicle that was popular among adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts. Unfortunately, the FJ Cruiser was discontinued in 2014 due to a decrease in sales. The recession was the main cause of the drop in sales, but other factors such as poor side grip performance, limited load capacity, visibility problems, and poor rear seat comfort may have also contributed to the suspension of the FJ Cruiser. Toyota tried to correct these issues by offering a reversing camera and changing the hinge mechanisms on the front seats to make it easier to get in and out of the back.
The FJ Cruiser also had a higher towing capacity than other SUVs, being able to tow up to 5,000 pounds. Despite these efforts, Toyota made the mistake of reducing cabin costs, allowing the competition to gain an advantage. The FJ Cruiser was well-liked for its retro-style design and off-road capabilities. It ranked high in terms of body style, stability in adverse conditions, and gauge and instrument design.
Unfortunately, Toyota chose to stop selling the SUV in the United States after eight years of production. The FJ Cruiser had some drawbacks such as large blind spots due to its design, smaller than average load capacity, and difficult-to-access rear seats. Despite these issues, used FJ Cruisers are still in high demand due to their reliability and long life. Many of the vehicle designs and parts were inspired by or adapted from the Tacoma and 4Runner, two other popular Toyota vehicles. Toyota released a statement saying that the FJ Cruiser “was developed as a basic, capable and affordable all-terrain vehicle aimed specifically at serious off-roaders looking to push the limits”.
It's true that Toyota took some shortcuts when creating the FJ Cruiser, allowing the competition to brag that their vehicles didn't reduce costs.
