Why Was the FJ Cruiser Discontinued?

[LeFrank]

Toyota officially announced that due to poor sales, the FJ Cruiser SUV has been officially discontinued. Below is some information about the FJ Cruiser SUV: 1. The FJ Cruiser (FJ-CRUISER) is a variant of Toyota's eighth-generation Land Cruiser (LAND-CRUISER) series launched in 2007, with "FJ" representing the off-road version of this series. 2. The FJ Cruiser is equipped with a powerful Toyota Dual VVT-i 4.0L engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission, delivering a power output of 200 kW and a torque of 380 Nm. Its interior design matches its exterior, exuding a sense of fashion and sportiness.

[AlejandroMarie]

The discontinuation of the FJ Cruiser was primarily due to market reasons. As a long-time SUV enthusiast, I find its design too retro. Although it has strong off-road capabilities, people nowadays prefer urban SUVs like Toyota's own RAV4, which is more fuel-efficient and comfortable, leading to a continuous decline in sales. Toyota focused on the broader market and decided to discontinue the FJ because its sales had significantly dropped since 2010, with global demand decreasing, especially in the U.S., where younger generations prioritize technology and efficiency over such high-displacement vehicles. Additionally, newer SUVs like the Highlander offer better value, while the FJ's high price and lack of practicality, along with insufficient comfort for daily use, made it less appealing. Ultimately, Toyota shifted its resources to other popular models, leading to its discontinuation in 2016. In a way, this isn't entirely bad—it pushed me toward more eco-friendly options like electric vehicles. However, for FJ fans, it's a regret, as it represents a nostalgic piece of automotive history.

[Zion]

Upgraded environmental regulations were a key factor. Based on my observations of automotive industry trends, the FJ Cruiser's engine emission standards couldn't keep pace with the changes, especially after the implementation of Euro 6 and China 6 standards, which imposed stricter requirements. To comply with the new regulations, Toyota would need to invest in improvements, but the costs were prohibitively high, making discontinuation the more viable option. Meanwhile, fluctuating oil prices further highlighted the FJ's fuel consumption issues, averaging 10-15 liters per 100 km, prompting consumers to shift toward hybrids or more fuel-efficient vehicles. I've also noticed Toyota's strategic shift, prioritizing the promotion of low-emission vehicles like the Prius to align with global trends. The discontinuation of the FJ isn't an isolated incident—similar models like the Jeep Wrangler also face challenges, but Toyota's timely exit helped avoid losses. The combination of environmental pressures and changing consumer preferences ultimately led to this decision, which can be seen as an inevitable outcome of market evolution.

[AlejandroLynn]

Technology and platform obsolescence led to discontinuation, as I learned from an insider. The FJ Cruiser was developed on an old platform, and updating it to modern systems was costly. Toyota shifted to the new TNGA platform, better suited for safety and emission standards, while production of FJ parts decreased and costs rose. With intense SUV competition, the FJ excelled in off-road performance but lagged behind newer models in urban driving comfort. Declining sales forced its discontinuation. Simply put, it was a matter of technological obsolescence and resource optimization.