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Toyota has some pretty impressive vehicles, but the FJ Cruiser is a fan favorite. The Toyota Fj Cruiser has been discontinued for multiple years, but it is now approaching collectible status. This means prices for the discontinued Toyota SUV are shooting up. In addition, the Toyota FJ is an overall excellent used SUV for both off-roading and general use. 

The FJ Cruiser delivers solid performance

Toyota FJ Cruiser in blue from the Driver Side
Toyota FJ Cruiser | Tim Boyle/Getty Images

The Toyota FJ Cruiser existed on the market from 2007 until 2014. Like many great vehicles, the 2014 FJ Cruiser is among the most discussed from the lineup. According to MotorTrend, the 2014 Toyota FJ has a 4-liter V6 engine. It has a maximum output of 260 horsepower and a torque of 271 lb-ft. 

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is also a relatively fast SUV. According to reports, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in about 7.5 seconds. Of course, there are quicker SUVs on the market, but this is an impressive acceleration time for a vehicle of this size. The speed makes up for the less-than-stellar fuel economy, as it only averages 17 miles per gallon in the city and 20 on the highway.

The Cruiser is made for off-roading

The FJ Cruiser in yellow at an auto show
Toyota FJ Cruiser | Juancho Torres/Getty Images

One of the strengths of the Toyota FJ Cruiser is that it is a versatile vehicle. Sure, it performs exceptionally well on the streets. However, Toyota made this SUV with off-roading enthusiasts in mind, a fact that reveals itself in the exterior design. Its ground clearance is perhaps the biggest reason it’s such a fantastic off-roading SUV. 

Besides this Toyota SUV being great for off-roading, the automaker made unique versions to enhance this ability. Almost every model year of the FJ Cruiser has special Trail Team editions. These special versions have improved suspension in order to make off-roading an even smoother experience in the Toyota FJ. In addition, each year came in a different monochromatic color. 

Why was the FJ Cruiser discontinued?

The Toyota FJ Cruiser in Orange. It's an iconic Toyota SUV.
Toyota FJ Cruiser | Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

The story of why the automaker ended production on the FJ Cruiser is the same as with many storied vehicles. The automaker couldn’t justify making a second generation of the vehicle due to low sales. Unfortunately, the Toyota SUV never became a top seller, and figures only worsened as the model years continued. This makes this Toyota SUV among the shortest-lived vehicles from the automaker. 

Unlike some discontinued vehicles, there is a significant outcry for Toyota to make a new model of the Cruiser. The popularity of the older models ramped up around 2020, and now a used Toyota FJ Cruiser has a pretty impressive price tag. In fact, auctions went from only selling a few units per year to several a month. However, there has been no word from Toyota about the potential to bring back the SUV. 

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is an immensely popular vehicle in its post-production life. It is super rugged and has the performance needed for both the streets and the trails. It’s an excellent used SUV with outstanding Toyota reliability.

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