Toyota FJ Cruiser production for the UAE finally ends, what's next?

If you've ever felt Toyota's FJ Cruiser was pulled from the market too soon, you might have a counterpart in the Middle East surprised at how long the FJ had soldiered on.

While the FJ Cruiser's Australian run lasted about six years – from 2011 to 2017 – its tour of the UAE began in 2007 and will end in December, 2022, giving it a 15-year story in that region.

The FJ will be sent off with a 1000-car Final Edition, each of them finished exclusively in beige and wearing a blacked-out look to the grille, bumpers, mirrors, door handles and tyre cover. Sounds a lot like this one here.

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Above: the Japan-only Final Edition is probably identical to what the UAE will get later this year

As before, the Prado-based FJ Cruiser draws power from the 1GR 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated V6 producing 200kW and 380Nm.

As Matt notes in his original story below, "a couple of modern concessions include an upgraded audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus there’s an in-built air compressor for re-inflating the tyres after playing out in Middle Eastern sand dunes."

Toyota's regional boss for the Middle East, Kei Fujita, said:

“The FJ Cruiser rides into the sunset leaving lasting memories of one of the most iconic SUVs in Toyota’s rich history.

“The vehicle’s winning combination of off-road capabilities, style, and performance make it equally at home during desert adventures or everyday activities and provides a comfortable and dependable experience for drivers and passengers, wherever their journeys may lead.”

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Will we see another FJ Cruiser?

Given the 'second wind' of popularity it's finding on the used market – even our own Ellen Dewar and Evan Spence both own one each, Evan having only picked his up recently – it might seem like it'd be mad for Toyota to not introduce a new one.

Jeep's continuation of the Wrangler, Suzuki's Jimny and Ford's new-gen Bronco and even the modernised new Defender all demonstrate that the market's love for retro-styled 4x4s is as alive as it's ever been.

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And, with Toyota's new TNGA architecture proving to be something of a driving and reputational revolution for the brand, it's easy to think a new FJ Cruiser would run circles around its rivals.

Alas, for now, there are very few hints that Toyota has any such plans, although fans were given some hope earlier this year when the company revealed its Compact Cruiser concept.

It's no direct successor to the FJ, being more Jimny-sized, but it would likely prove just as popular if it were to enter the market.

In December, Toyota inadvertently offered a hint that the concept will go into production when an interior shot revealed the name 'LiteCruiser' in the instrument cluster – but there's a catch: it's electric. Yep. Sorry.

Maybe one of these aftermarket retro 'downgrades' would be the way to go...

Mike Stevens

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Are you keen to see a new FJ, or this new Compact Cruiser? Sound off in the comments below.

The story to here

April, 2020: FJ Cruiser still available in the UAE

BUYERS in the UAE can buy a 2020 Toyota FJ Cruiser from their Toyota dealer for the equivalent of $66,500 Australian dollars.

Toyota Australia (TMCA) stopped selling the popular FJ here back in 2017, when the Hino production plant in Japan stopped making them in right-hand drive configuration.

However, I bet most of us didn’t realise they were still being made in LHD for the Middle East.

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The FJ Cruiser was conceived for the US market and, when it first landed there back in 2006, many saw it as an alternative off-roader to the Jeep Wrangler. In reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth, as the FJ was a much more refined and well-built SUV.

With its shortened Prado chassis and architecture including independent front suspension, the FJ lagged behind the Wrangler in off-road ability but left it for dead in on-road manners and driveability.

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Right-hand drive production began in 2011 for countries such as Australia, South Africa, Japan and New Zealand, where the FJ outsold expectations. But when the USA announced that 2014 would be the last year for the FJ there, we thought the end was near for the model.

Australia and other right-hand drive markets held on to the FJ until 2017, but when RHD production ceased we thought that was the last we’d see of it.

That was until we spied the new car line-up of Toyota vehicles available in the United Arab Emirates, and to our surprise, there’s a 2020 FJ there.

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Still the same old FJ from every angle, and still powered by the 1GR petrol V6 engine with a five-speed auto transmission and part-time 4x4 system, the Arab FJ seems to be the same spec as the last of our models equipped with ATRC, crawl control and the dual fuel tanks.

A couple of modern concessions include an upgraded audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus there’s an in-built air compressor for reinflating the tyres after playing out in Middle Eastern sand dunes.

The FJ Cruiser’s styling meant it would always be polarising, but in reality, it was a great little off-roader and all 'round adventure mobile.

While those that hated the FJ mightn't care less that it’s still around, we’re grateful to see it - and Toyota sure could do with a vehicle like the FJ Cruiser in its current global new product range.