why ads?

Popular at KBB.com

The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser

Please enter a valid mileage

View all 6 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?

2010 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 the FJ Cruiser. The 2010 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 2010 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), big blind spots at the sides and a cargo area that's not as accommodating as those of some other SUVs.

What's New for 2010

The 2010 FJ Cruiser sees improvements in horsepower and fuel economy; it also now requires less-expensive regular fuel. A new Trail Teams Special Edition package is offered for the first time.

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...

side visibility and a wide 41.8-foot turning circle, Toyota's trendiest 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.

2010 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 2010 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, roll sensing 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, rear backup camera, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, 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. New for 2010 is the Trail Teams Special Edition Package that brings with it the Off-Road Package, Sandstorm exterior paint with matching roof and blackout hood paint, outside mirror-mounted illumination markers, beige seat inserts, trail-rated Bilstein shocks, rear backup camera, BFG All-Terrain tires on TRD alloy wheels and a set of 12V, 100W and 115V, 400W outlets.

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
259 horsepower @ 5600 rpm
270 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/22 (2WD, automatic), 15/19(4WD, manual) 17/21 (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?

2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.3

Out of 10

Based on 395 Ratings for the 2007 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

9.3/10

Quality

9.5/10
Reliability

9.7/10

Performance

9.4/10
Comfort

9.1/10

Styling

9.4/10

Solid & Dependable

By John (CO) on Monday, June 17, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 20,000

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: "An absolute solid and dependable tank."

Cons: "Wish it had a larger fuel tank."

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

"2012 Manual 4X4. I live in a rural area and got this vehicle for commuting into town and weekend chores. I will admit vehicles at our house get used (and occasionally abused). My daily commute into town is 70 miles round trip about half of which is back country dirt roads. Additionally, I had traded in my small pickup for this FJ so I picked up a utility trailer to make up for a lack of a truck bed and it gets used almost every weekend for chores or the occasional run up to the hills with the ATVs. I have to admit this is the first Toyota I have every purchased but have been so impressed I'll probably take my wife to look at what else they have when it is time to replace her vehicle. This thing has been run hard since the day I picked it up and I haven't had any problems yet. As far as the blind spots - I am already used to driving with mirrors (as opposed to turning my head)so I haven't really noticed an issue."

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

Lousy Toyota Service & Support

By GWild (AZ) on Sunday, June 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 10,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 6/10

Pros: "Is an off-road truck-does that well enough, but..."

Cons: "Its a Toyota - you get their non-support."

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

"Wheel wobble from day one - steering wheel shakes side to side - as much as 1 to 2 inches at freeway speeds. Toyota Zone rep drove the vehicle and said, in writing, "This is normal behavior for the the FJ Cruiser." If you are thinking about buying one, think twice. This is my 2nd new Toyota - in both cases Toyota service and zone support have been the worst. The first one I force them to buy back within 30 days, 30 years later I gave Toyota another chance, but this one I paid cash ($35,000) and got stuck with it."

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

Total Package

By Tobe (MA) on Thursday, June 06, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 62,000

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: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Looks great, easy to clean, rugged, holds value"

Cons: "blindspots"

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

"I Have a 2007 voodoo blue FJ cruiser. Traded in my tacoma for it. Opted for the Manual, primarily because I get lazy driving automatic. Have done some upgrading and suprisingly wasn't to expensive. Three inches of lift, 33" Hankook DynaPro MT tires, 7 inch touchscreen DVD, Backup Camera, GPS, Bluetooth, etc. Aftermarket subwoofer and amp, G Force chip, bull bar, bug deflector, and a Hitch. The thing is a tank, it can't be stopped. I would recomend one to everyone. Though the fuel economy isn't great its tollerable. Blind spots aren't so bad once you get use to them. Have had to repair upper ball joints, probably due to the lift, and the clutch. Clutch was still good but for some reasons all of the 4.0liters with a MT have issues with throwout bearings. Not just FJ's. All around great vehicle"

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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

This is one tough vehicle, bulletproof so to speak

By Baja fx (CA) on Tuesday, May 28, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 70,000

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: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Extremely durable. Perfect size for two people."

Cons: "Blind spots. Not necessarily a family vehicle."

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

"We purchased one of the first FJ Cruisers to hit the street. It is a pleasure to drive it around town and on the freeway's but that's not what we bought it for. It has taken us to Baja at least 25 time's and traveling on hundred's of miles of rough dirt roads. We have driven to the bottom of the Copper Canyon in Chihuahua Mexico in the blistering heat. Not to mention the blinding snow storm's in the Midwest. I know, I know I sound like a T.V. Commercial but I really like this FJ it has never let us down."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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

Love everything except the gas mileage....

By MORBID (TN) on Sunday, May 26, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 90,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "Great stereo, looks, ruggedness, fun, roomy, cool"

Cons: "Bad gas mileage, bad blind spots, expensive"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"I love this vehicle. It suits me, has all the things I wanted (other than a sun roof, leather interior, satellite radio and great gas mileage). Everything else is perfect. However, it is just me and my husband and we don't have to have all this room. I'm looking to trade it for something smaller with better gas mileage since I have quite a bit of driving to and from work and misc. driving each month."

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

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."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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