2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser: What's New

Vehicle Overview
Toyota’s retro-styled FJ Cruiser SUV re-creates some of the 1958 FJ40’s original charm — a memory lost in today’s anything-but-minimalist Land Cruiser. For its second model year Toyota has added standard side-impact and curtain airbags, a new offroad option package and new paint colors.

The FJ Cruiser sports boxy styling and a dirt-friendly interior. Flashy colors and a base price in the low-$20,000s should attract the same vein of outdoor SUV enthusiasts who buy Nissan Xterras or Jeep Wranglers. Hardcore off-roaders might prefer a Wrangler Rubicon or Hummer H3, where someone who plans to drive on pavement alone and prefers refinement and efficiency is better off with a Toyota Highlander or RAV4.

Features including power mirrors, remote keyless entry and cruise control are offered as optional add-ons. That might seem a bit stingy in this price range, but bear in mind that the base FJ Cruiser includes an electronic stability system and Toyota’s stout 4.0-liter V-6.

Exterior
The main exterior changes for 2008 include the discontinuation of Black Cherry Pearl paint and the addition of Brick Red and Sandstorm. Fitted between circular headlamps, a framed grille reads “TOYOTA” in all caps. The front styling is a throwback to the original FJ40, as are the FJ Cruiser’s white roof and wraparound rear-quarter windows. Other elements are not so faithful: A high beltline and short windows bear more resemblance to Hummer’s current lineup than to the FJ40’s tall, lanky cab.

The wide windshield includes three wipers, a feature few vehicles in automotive history can claim. Rear-hinged access doors facilitate backseat entry. In the rear, the swing gate holds a spare tire and opens to the left to allow loading on the curb side. Standard 17-inch steel wheels can be upgraded to 17-inch alloy wheels. The new offroad package has 16-inch wheels, which accommodate higher sidewalls and more cushioning from the BF Goodrich Rugged Trail tires.

The spare tire mounts to the swing gate so it won’t sacrifice ground clearance under the truck or cargo space inside.

Interior
A rectangular, truck-like dashboard incorporates a prominent square panel with stereo and climate controls. A compass, outside temperature display and vehicle pitch readouts are available with an optional gauge cluster that sits above the middle air vents. Door inserts and dashboard panels can be matched to the FJ Cruiser’s exterior color.

Standard items include air conditioning, power windows and door locks, and a six-speaker CD stereo. Remote keyless entry, cruise control, power mirrors and a six-CD changer are optional.

The five-seat interior features water-resistant fabric. The backseat folds forward in a 60/40 split to create a flat load floor that’s coated in a rubber-like material. With the seats down, maximum cargo volume is 66.8 cubic feet, which beats the Xterra (65.7) and Wrangler (61.2) with their rear seats down. The Xterra’s cargo volume expands further with an optional fold-flat front passenger seat, a feature the FJ Cruiser lacks.

Under the Hood
A 4.0-liter V-6 makes 239 horsepower and 278 pounds-feet of torque. Two-wheel-drive FJ Cruisers use a standard five-speed automatic transmission, while four-wheel-drive models have either the automatic or a six-speed manual. Now buyers, or existing owners, can have a Toyota Racing Development supercharger installed that boosts the output to 304 hp and 334 pounds-feet of torque. Installed by the dealer, it’s included in the powertrain warranty.

Rear-wheel drive is standard. Optional four-wheel drive features a locking rear differential and two-speed transfer case with a 2.57:1 low-range ratio. That’s close to the Xterra’s 2.63:1 ratio but short of the Wrangler’s 2.72:1 or available 4:1 ratios. Ground clearance is rated at 9.6 inches on a four-wheel-drive FJ Cruiser. An Xterra falls in the same range, but the Wrangler can be equipped to clear 10.3-inch obstacles.

A full set of underbody skid plates, mud guards and tow hooks are all standard. The offroad package adds — in addition to the Rugged Trail tires — Bilstein shock absorbers, an additional engine air cleaner and a special locking rear differential that communicates and cooperates with the brake-based traction control.

When properly equipped, the FJ Cruiser can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Safety
The FJ has earned Good results in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests. Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes and an electronic stability system are standard. For 2008 the front-seat-mounted side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags that cover the side windows for front and backseat occupants are now standard.