Toyota has announced the FJ Cruiser will end production in August this year after realising more than 11,000 sales since its launch here in 2011.

THE TOYOTA FJ CRUISER will end production in August this year, realising more than 11,000 sales since its launch here in 2011. Toyota Australia says the FJ Cruiser will leave “lasting memories as one of the most iconic vehicles in Toyota’s rich SUV history”.

The FJ Cruiser launched in the US before it came Down Under and wasn’t originally intended to come here. But pressure from potential buyers on Toyota Australia prompted the Japanese car maker to bring the retro 4×4 that was intended to be a modern interpretation of the iconic FJ40. The front grille with two round headlights recalls the FJ40’s frontal styling. Other heritage design cues include the bonnet and wheel-arch contours and a rear-mounted and exposed full-size spare tyre…

…But there was more to the design than just a nod to the past. Indeed, the designer of the FJ Cruiser said he also took inspiration for the profile of the thing from his dog, an American pit bull.

Toyota’s aim with the FJ Cruiser was always to build a vehicle that was a legitimate heir to the FJ40 and the FJ Cruiser certainly was that. Sure, it’s on-road manners and the ergonomics were a little awkward but there’s no doubting its off-road ability.

In a statement announcing the end of production, Toyota Australia’s executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said the FJ Cruiser built on more than half a century of Toyota tradition in producing tough off-road vehicles.

“The FJ rides into the sunset as a vehicle renowned for its ability to traverse rugged outback trails while offering plenty of utility for all types of activities and being equally well-suited for everyday driving,” Cramb said.

“It will leave lasting memories as one of the most iconic vehicles in Toyota’s rich SUV history, helping to bring renewed energy to the Toyota brand,” he added.

The FJ Cruiser runs a 200kW, 380Nm 4.0-litre V6 petrol engine with five-speed automatic transmission, part-time 4×4, an electrically activated rear differential lock and switchable Active Traction Control technology to maximise off-road climbing ability. FJ Cruiser has the best approach and departure angles in the Toyota 4WD range – 36 and 31 degrees respectively.

While it might not have originally been intended for the Australian market, that didn’t stop Toyota from making changes to suit us. It said, “Local testing resulted in unique calibration of the heavy-duty all-coil suspension and power steering to suit Australian conditions, plus the fitment of 17-inch alloy wheels and 70-profile tyres. Australia’s coarse-chip road surfaces prompted improvements to FJ Cruiser’s NVH that were adopted globally”.

An upgrade in March 2013 boosted the FJ Cruiser’s “go anywhere, do anything” appeal by more than doubling its fuel range and adding an off-road cruise-control system, CRAWL. Fuel capacity was expanded to 159 litres with the main 72-litre tank supplemented by an 87-litre sub-tank. Later in 2013, FJ gained newly designed seven-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels.

The FJ Cruiser is priced from $46,990 +ORC and offered in a single specification only. Metallic paint (Cement) is $550 extra. FJ Cruiser is covered by Toyota Service Advantage capped-price servicing at a maximum of $220 per service.

Read about our Girls Got Grit experience with an FJ, and How to Drive the FJ Cruiser Offroad.