Eight years ago, the last Toyota FJ Cruiser rolled off the assembly line. But that wasn't really the last of the Japanese off-roader. In fact, buyers in South Africa and in the United Arab Emirates can still buy one as new, though it remains largely unchanged.


In case the name FJ Cruiser sounds unfamiliar to you, we'll give you a brief recap of Toyota's old Wrangler rival. The FJ Cruiser first arrived in early 2006 for the 2007 model year, with rear- and four-wheel-drive variants on offer. The former came with a 5-speed automatic, while that automatic or a six-speed manual were available for the latter. Both were powered by a 4.0 liter V6, pumping out 239 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. Demand was high, though FJ Cruiser sales were disrupted by the recession in 2008. The final nail in the coffin came when Toyota introduced its TRD Pro off-road subbrand, and with sales too low to support a second generation, Toyota decided to kill off the FJ Cruiser in most markets in 2014.
But nearly a decade later, the rugged SUV quietly lives on in the UAE and South Africa. The only notable change is a new 12-inch infotainment system, which houses the backup camera, radio, and Bluetooth, and is compatible with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. It fits rather well inside the FJ Cruiser's otherwise ancient cabin. Other highlights include water-repellent seating and a standard on-board air compressor.


Even though the FJ Cruiser has gone eight years without a redesign in select markets, it seems to have aged well. The rugged styling is exactly the same as it was in 2006, and Toyota still offers the original exterior colors. The powertrain hasn't been touched at all, either.

So, will Toyota eventually cut the cord on the FJ Cruiser in its remaining markets? We'll see, but the off-roader still seems to be popular among buyers in the UAE and South Africa. The FJ Cruiser probably won't be discontinued altogether until its rumored all-electric successor arrives around the middle of the decade, based on the Compact Cruiser concept shown earlier this year.
Do you miss the FJ Cruiser in the US?
Images: Toyota
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