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2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser Review

October 30, 2008

STYLING | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

distinctive style
Edmunds

fresh interpretation of the original FJ40
Road & Track

retro-themed design
Car and Driver

somewhat cartoonish
Motor Trend

The exterior of the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser is a show-car standout in a sea of conformist SUVs.

In the spirit of the original 1960s FJ40, the FJ Cruiser offers narrow-set round headlamps, a white-painted roof, an upright windshield, and wraparound rear glass. “Those familiar with the older FJs will immediately see the family resemblance,” claims Road & Track of what was originally a concept vehicle for Toyota that garnered rave responses at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show. Motor Trend vouches the styling “successfully conveys uniqueness and heritage--two traits currently missing in the Toyota lineup,” and Automobile, too, proclaims the FJ “distinguishes itself from its brethren with evocative styling.”

ConsumerGuide considers the interior “more functional than rich. It includes washable rubberlike flooring, water-resistant fabric trim, faux metal, body-color painted accents, and some low-budget plastic panels.” Road & Track declares “the cabin exudes simplicity, echoing the feel of the earlier FJs” when describing the mood set by “cloth seats, a body-colored radio surround and large, easy-to-operate controls,” and Motor Trend proclaims “the basic cabin harmonizes nicely with the busier exterior.”

In a nod to modern-day convenience, the FJ Cruiser has rear suicide doors that operate only when the main forward doors are open. While Road & Track comments these “Honda Element-esque suicide doors lends the FJ a 2-door's personality,” others criticize their marginal usefulness, seeing them as more style than function.

Conclusion

Both veteran FJ aficionados and buyers bored with bland SUVs should rejoice at the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser’s singular exterior and rugged, functional interior.

STYLING | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:distinctive styleEdmundsfresh interpretation of the original FJ40Road & Trackretro-themed designCar and Driversomewhat cartoonishMotor Trend The exterior of the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser is a show-car standout in a sea of conformist SUVs. In the spirit of the original 1960s FJ40, the FJ Cruiser offers narrow-set round headlamps, a white-painted roof, an upright windshield, and wraparound rear glass. “Those familiar with the older FJs will immediately see the family resemblance,” claims Road & Track of what was originally a concept vehicle for Toyota that garnered rave responses at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show. Motor Trend vouches the styling “successfully conveys uniqueness and heritage--two traits currently missing in the Toyota lineup,” and Automobile, too, proclaims the FJ “distinguishes itself from its brethren with evocative styling.” ConsumerGuide considers the interior “more functional than rich. It includes washable rubberlike flooring, water-resistant fabric trim, faux metal, body-color painted accents, and some low-budget plastic panels.” Road & Track declares “the cabin exudes simplicity, echoing the feel of the earlier FJs” when describing the mood set by “cloth seats, a body-colored radio surround and large, easy-to-operate controls,” and Motor Trend proclaims “the basic cabin harmonizes nicely with the busier exterior.” In a nod to modern-day convenience, the FJ Cruiser has rear suicide doors that operate only when the main forward doors are open. While Road & Track comments these “Honda Element-esque suicide doors lends the FJ a 2-door's personality,” others criticize their marginal usefulness, seeing them as more style than function. ConclusionBoth veteran FJ aficionados and buyers bored with bland SUVs should rejoice at the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser’s singular exterior and rugged, functional interior. 2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER STYLING | [9 out of 10] Edmunds: “distinctive style” Road & Track: “fresh interpretation of the original FJ40” Car and Driver: “retro-themed design” Motor Trend: “somewhat cartoonish” The exterior of the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser is a show-car standout in a ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Xterra and Wrangler are both vehicles that, like the FJ Cruiser, draw people based on their styling and off-road prowess, and it’s mostly a matter of which styling suits you best. All three are very capable off-road, but the Xterra is arguably the best for those who plan to tow or haul gear on the road; its V-6 feels especially perky on the road compared to the nearly equally sized engines in the other two vehicles, and it handles a bit better on the road. The Wrangler now has a full array of safety features, along with much better handling than the old version, but its interior is slightly inferior to the others, and it still has more wind noise than the others due to its boxy shape. The Xterra’s interior is much roomier and more versatile than the FJ’s, which has an especially cramped backseat. Although it’s not much more expensive, the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser feels like a more expensive vehicle inside and out, which may give it an advantage over the Xterra.

Next Steps:

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See the Toyota FJ Cruiser in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

Comments (7 total)

  1. By Erwin Koti #1, Posted: 9/8/2008

    Great SUV

    I've owned mine for 9 months and the truck is great. This is the truck to buy over a Hummer all day long. Back and forth to work or off roading this truck can do anything. Comfort level is great and actually if positioned properly, the mirrors are large enough to not have any blind spots as people report. It doesn't matter if it's me driving or my wife, we both love this truck and would reccomend it to anybody looking for this type of fun and utility.

  2. By Mitch Todd #2, Posted: 9/19/2008

    Buy Back of the FJ!

    The highly under publicized issue of the engine bay inner fender aprons cracking, bulging & ripping apart needs to be brought out into the open! Most FJ enthusiasts know about this design flaw, but over time (since it's been determined to be a repetative flex issue) most FJ owners will eventually notice the aprons flapping about once they completely rip. Virtually all FJ's will be out of warranty by that time and this will bite Toyota in the tail eventually.
    FJ OWENERS TAKE NOTE AND LOOK FOR THE EARLY WARNING SIGHNS.
    ALL 2007'S AND 2008'S ARE AFFECTED. JUST GOOGLE "FJ CRUISER ENGINE BAY RIPS".
    The Austrailian sold "Prado" built on the exact same frame has these same issues.

  3. By Brandon Ferland #3, Posted: 5/12/2009

    Frame Rust!

    I bought an FJ about 7 months ago. The frame is rusting at an incredibly fast rate. Toyota says that it is perfectly normal. I have had several other mechanics look at it and they have all told me that it is a defect in the metal prep. before paint, along with the fact that Toyota DOES NOT undercoat the FJ. Are there any other FJ owners with this problem?

  4. By Brandon Ferland #4, Posted: 5/12/2009

    Frame Rust!

    I bought an FJ about 7 months ago. The frame is rusting at an incredibly fast rate. Toyota says that it is perfectly normal. I have had several other mechanics look at it and they have all told me that it is a defect in the metal prep. before paint, along with the fact that Toyota DOES NOT undercoat the FJ. Are there any other FJ owners with this problem?

  5. By Michelle #5, Posted: 5/20/2009

    Also Rust Issues

    Toyota will tell you it is perfectly normal but we have a 98 acura and a 03 ford and neither have this issue and the acura sits on the ground with no rust! This is not a normal thing and we are waiting to meet with the factory representative to see what they will do for us... If you have any new news please let us know... we have an 07 with 11K on it. Babied from the begining....

  6. By Michelle #6, Posted: 5/20/2009

    Also Rust Issues

    Toyota will tell you it is perfectly normal but we have a 98 acura and a 03 ford and neither have this issue and the acura sits on the ground with no rust! This is not a normal thing and we are waiting to meet with the factory representative to see what they will do for us... If you have any new news please let us know... we have an 07 with 11K on it. Babied from the begining....

  7. By Henry #7, Posted: 9/28/2009

    Foor the FJ Cruiser you state an MSRP of $23- $24K How come I cannot get such a deal from any Canadian dealership? It looks like I will have to go south to buy an FJ Cruiser.
    Pls advise
    Henry

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