Toyota's 2008 FJ Cruiser is about as tough as it gets when it comes to serious off-road machinery. The FJ basically comes three ways, while the Trail Teams Special Edition can be ordered for those who need a little bit more. All trucks carry Toyota's staid 239-horsepower 4.0L V6 with the company's excellent variable valve timing. It puts out a hefty 278 lb-ft of torque.
The truck is available as a 4x2 with a five-speed automatic transmission and limited-slip differential, as a full-time 4x4 with a six-speed manual, or as a part-time 4x4 with the five-speed auto. Skid plates are fitted across the engine and front suspension, as well as the fuel tank. The 4x4 models add a skid plate to the transfer case.
Standard exterior features across all three versions include rear release hatch glass, 17-inch black steel wheels with mud- and snow-rated tires, and a full-size spare. Inside you'll find air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3/WMA playback capability, power windows and locks, and rubberized floors for superior mud and water resistance.
The FJ has few true options, as most convenience features are available in one of several packages. However, 17-inch aluminum wheels, daytime running lights, running boards, and rear intuitive parking assist can be ordered as standalone.
Packages and accessories allow for total customization of the FJ Cruiser, though special options packages are only available on 4x4 models. Four separate packages can be combined in several ways. The Convenience Package includes remote keyless entry, cruise control, power mirrors, rear intuitive parking assist, back-up sonar, daytime running lights, and rear privacy glass with wiper.
Two Upgrade Packages add amenities like a six-disc in-dash CD changer, active traction control, and 115V/400W outlet. An All-Terrain Package provides 16-inch alloy wheels with BF Goodrich Rugged Trail tires, trail-tuned Bilstein shocks, Cyclone air pre-cleaner, a rear locking differential that works in conjunction with stability control, and a multi-function display showing angle of incline, compass, and temperature. Packages add $2,875 to $5,300 to the cost of an FJ.
Beyond these packages, owners can order all manner of accessories like a Toyota Racing Development (TRD) cat-back exhaust, XM satellite radio, heavy-duty roof rack, and more.
Standard safety features include stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist. Driver and passenger dual-stage air bags are standard, as are front seat-mounted side air bags and side curtain bags front and rear. Daytime running lights and rear intuitive parking assist are optional on all models, while Active Traction Control is available only on 4x4 models.
The 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser earned the highest five-star ranking for from the NHTSA for driver safety in head-on collisions, as well as in front and rear side impact testing.
Rugged Off-road Prowess
Roomy Interior For People And Cargo
Toyota Reliability
Distinctive Styling Recalls Past FJs
Excellent NHTSA Ratings.
The 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser is little changed from the 2007 debut model. In the realm of safety, side air bags and side curtain air bags are now standard equipment. Gone is the TRD Special Edition, though much of its beefy equipment has been integrated into the new Trail Teams Special Edition, a truck limited to 3,200 units, which gets an exclusive Iceberg White paint job with black trim. Black Cherry Pearl exterior paint has been discontinued, though Brick Red and Sandstorm have been added. Pricing across the range climbed about $500.
IntelliChoice rated the 2007 Toyota FJ "Excellent" for its predicted five-year cost of ownership, so the little-changed 2008 FJ should follow that trend. The FJ Cruiser evokes fond memories of a tough-as-nails truck, though now buyers get amenities that make it a bit more civilized. The combination of Toyota's bomb-proof 4.0L V6, rugged off-road capabilities with 9.6 inches of clearance, surprisingly good highway presence, comfortable interior, and competitive pricing make the FJ Cruiser a smart alternative to offerings from Jeep and Hummer.
