why ads?

Popular at KBB.com

The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser

Please enter a valid mileage

View all 2 photos

Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser

Overview

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

Buying this car?

2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser Review

By KBB.com Editors

Sold in the U.S. from 1960 to 1983, the Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser remains one of the most respected off-road vehicles of all time. The Land Cruiser nameplate survives to this day, in fact, but affixed to a much bigger, much more expensive vehicle. Toyota's 4Runner has also grown, both in size and in price, to a starting sticker near $30K, which necessitated the need for last year's smash hit SUV, the FJ Cruiser. The 2008 FJ Cruiser is Toyota's answer to the popular Nissan Xterra and the venerable Jeep Wrangler. The FJ Cruiser backs up its distinctive, retro-esque styling with serious off-road capability, thanks to features like body-on-frame construction, big tires, available four-wheel drive with two-speed transfer case and available locking rear differential.

You'll Like This Car If...

Whether you're drawn to it as a comfortable and versatile daily driver, a weekend off-roader or just an expressive way to get from Point A to Point B, you're sure to appreciate how well the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser does it all.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Depending on what other vehicles you might be considering, the FJ Cruiser's potential faults include marginal fuel economy (although it's slightly more fuel-friendly than the Xterra), poor rearward visibility and a cargo area that's not as accommodating as those of some other SUVs.

What's New for 2008

Front seat side-mounted airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags are now standard on every FJ. New options include an Off-Road Package with 16-inch alloy wheels surrounded by BF Goodrich Rugged Trail tires, Bilstein shocks and a rear-differential lock.

Driving the FJ Cruiser

Driving Impressions Whether you're hoping the FJ Cruiser shines brightest as an off-roader or a daily driver, you'll be happy to hear it fills both rolls exceptionally well. Except for its limited...

rearward visibility and a wide 41.8-foot turning circle, Toyota's newest SUV is as pleasant to drive as many sedans. Off-road, the FJ Cruiser's 32-inch tires, steep approach and departure angles and sophisticated traction aids combine to deliver world-class off-road capability. Compared with its most closely matched competitor, the Nissan Xterra, the FJ doesn't corner as eagerly around town but does deliver a marginally softer highway ride. As for the off-road comparison, we'll give the nod to the Toyota, although the Nissan remains impressive.

Favorite Features

Subwoofer Switch
A big, console-mounted subwoofer on/off button makes it easy to optimize the listening experience when switching from talk to rock, for instance.

A-TRAC
By automatically applying the brakes to a spinning wheel, Toyota's active traction control system forces torque to the opposing wheel and boosts the FJ Cruiser's off-road capability.

2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser Details

Interior

Equipped with water-resistant seat fabric, rubber flooring, removable rear seat bottoms and big control knobs designed for easy operation when wearing gloves, the FJ Cruiser's interior is decidedly purpose-built. Still, it's a very comfortable cabin for front and rear passengers alike, even if entering or leaving the rear seat through the small rear-hinged doors is tough to do elegantly. The rear cargo area isn't huge, but convenient hooks and tie-downs add functionality. A color-keyed center cluster adds a touch of whimsy.

Exterior

With two smallish round headlamps flanking a low-profile, rectangular grille, the FJ Cruiser's face provides the strongest link to its FJ40 ancestry. The contrasting white roof, wraparound rear glass and available roof rack are also familiar. In total, though, the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser isn't as stylistically true to the original as the modern MINI or VW New Beetle are to their ancestors. Exterior features worth noting are the FJ Cruiser's big 32-inch tires, three windshield wipers and available side mirror-mounted lamps. Toyota also offers plenty of add-ons geared toward off-road duty.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Base FJ Cruisers are equipped with two-wheel drive, automatic transmission, air conditioning, power windows and locks, a six-speaker CD/MP3 audio system, auxiliary audio jack, electronic stability and traction controls, front seat side-mounted airbags, side curtain airbags, two front airbags and 17-inch black steel wheels. Four-wheel-drive FJs come standard with a six-speed manual transmission.

Optional Equipment

FJ Cruiser upgrades include keyless entry, cruise control, rear sonar parking assist, eight-speaker audio system with six-disc CD changer, subwoofer, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and a 115V/400W power outlet. Options for off-roaders include the new Off-Road Package, an automatic transmission (4WD models), a rear differential lock, A-TRAC active traction control and an inclinometer.

Under the Hood

A sophisticated aluminum V6 anchors three powertrain combinations that include a five-speed automatic transmission coupled with either two-wheel-drive or a part-time four-wheel-drive system, or a six-speed manual transmission teamed with a full-time four-wheel-drive system. Four-wheel-drive models include a two-speed transfer case. Off-road capability is enhanced with locking differentials and electronic traction controls. Rock-crawling specs include approach and departure angles of 34 and 30 degrees, respectively (32 and 29 degrees for two-wheel drive models). The FJ Cruiser has an independent front suspension and solid rear axle, and its maximum towing capacity is 5,000 pounds.

4.0-liter V6
239 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
278 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/20 (2WD, automatic), 15/18 (4WD, manual) 16/20 (4WD, automatic)

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Toyota FJ Cruiser vehicles for sale near you.

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

Buying this car?

2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.3

Out of 10

Based on 389 Ratings for the 2007 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

9.4/10

Quality

9.5/10
Reliability

9.7/10

Performance

9.4/10
Comfort

9.1/10

Styling

9.4/10

Really Cool Truck

By Cperry7967 (TX) on Thursday, May 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 51,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "good quality, fun to drive, no carpet+++"

Cons: "wished the doors locked when put in drive"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I bought this SUV after my 4runner got totaled out from a hail storm, I've gotten so many complements on the style and quality of my FJ Cruiser I'm very happy with my purchase and plan to drive this vehicle for a very long time."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

BEST VEHICLE EVER!

By Bratnila (CA) on Monday, May 06, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 45,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Fun, fast, reliable, stylish and comfortable."

Cons: "Not enough interior lighting in front by driver."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"My 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser is FUN, FAST, RELIABLE, WITH JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF COMFORT WHETHER YOU ARE HAVING A BLAST FOUR-WHEELING, DRIVING ON VACATION FOR DAYS, OR GOING SHOPPING IN TOWN; YOU WILL HAVE A CAREFREE AND COMFORTABLE RIDE. MY FJ ALWAYS LOOKS STYLISH YET NOT OVERSTATED LIKE SOME TRUCKS. I HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT I LIKE AND IT HANDLES GREAT. When my old Toyota Pickup died after 20 years, it was hard finding a truck with a manual transmission. My son told me that Toyota just released a new truck that offers both automatic and manual. I went to Toyota's website and watched the video and fell in love! To me the "only" not so great feature is the lack of interior lighting. Only one light at rear and one in the center, no lights in the front for the driver or passanger; that was a big mistake, but I remedied the matter by putting two battery operated L.E.D. push-button type lights that adhere with velcro, one above rearview mirror and one under the dash on the passenger's side, these lights do the trick. I hope my Toyota FJ Cruiser lasts for 20 years, but when the time comes to buy a new truck, I probably will buy another FJ Cruiser."

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Will always drive an FJCruiser

By fjnurse (TX) on Monday, April 29, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 34,997

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Great looks, reliability, get up and go, safety"

Cons: "gas mileage, not bad, but not great"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Love it,love it, love it! This baby will get up and go when I ask it to. I feel very safe in it, no matter the weather or traffic conditions. It handles the mountains and desert equally well. A cruiser on the highway. It always gets lots of compliments. I especially love the convenience of the 110 electrical outlet."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Its an offroad tank. If thats what you want its fo

By Andrewm1a (TX) on Wednesday, March 27, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 1,400

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Everything you would expect from Toyota and more."

Cons: "Nothing at all."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have read a lot of the negative reviews here and i have to say, they sound like people that wanted a Camry and left with an FJ Cruiser. Seriously, "it has a stiff suspension and isn't comfortable". One a Wrangler will rattle your fillings out on a daily commute, i know traded mine in on the cruiser. Two, that's called an off road suspension, if it were squishy it would bottom out on every bump. You have to realize this vehicle keeps its value because they don't make many of them, and its made for a specific market, offroading. If you have no intention on doing some trail driving, then you really don't have any business owning one. The good thing about you accidentally rushing into a purchase of a vehicle over 25k brand new is it has the second best resale value of any vehicle on the market. So you wont get all of your money back but you'd be better off than most any other vehicle. Drive one, drive it a while too. Don't buy it the day you go to the dealership. Sit on it, and think, are the blind spots something i can deal with? Is the fact it takes up most of a lane of traffic something i am ok with? Aside from that if you can live with those two things it is a wonderful vehicle myself and family have had more than enough fun with. Worth every penny! Oh and for all you gas mileage nuts out there, You don't buy a vehicle that is designed for offroading, 4x4, heavy, high off the ground, and that has a very large V6 and expect good mileage, unless your nuts. And i mean that. Its gas mileage is not as bad as my 2002 Dodge 3500 work truck but much better than the Wrangler i traded for it."

10 people out of 10 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Disappointing on all Levels

By Abngrunt (VA) on Monday, March 25, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 11,000

10 3.0

overall rating 3 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 3/10
Value: 2/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 1/10
Comfort: 1/10

Pros: "Uniques looks, apparently lots of off road ability"

Cons: "Poor Design and Execution"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"I bought the FJ last year at this time, thinking it was different and was told it had all kinds of capabilities. What I have found that the capabilities that are shared during the sales experience will most likely never happen, "Fording 28 inches of water" really! It's rolling box, that gets terrible gas mileage, it is not user friendly at all, sight lines are awful, I can't begin to tell you how many time I have almost hit someone in the blind spots. The interior is not at all user friendly, and its really noisy inside, and getting things in and out of the back seat, even with the small doors is nearly impossible. The single piece door is heavy and bulky, again making it almost useless. I have had to replace 4 TPWS sensors, and the light just came on again. Quality control was awful. It was sold a luxury (or at least priced as one) mid-size SUV. In my opinion its just a poorly designed vehicle. Had I to do it over again, I would not buy this vehicle."

6 people out of 17 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Awesome vehicle!

By F (CA) on Sunday, March 17, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 73,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Off Road Power ride"

Cons: "not a family car but not a con for me!"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"If you want to anywhere anytime this is it. HWY,City and Off road handles it all. I have been though knee high water , up some pretty steep hills and soft dirt handles all equally well. I did put BF goodrich all terrains on and wow! I got 275/70x16 without lift or steering issues. 4 adults easy! Wish small widow roll down but minor wish. Great 2 person and equipment offroad machine."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

See all 389 reviews