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By KBB Editors
Updated December 23, 2019
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 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser does it all.
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), poor rearward visibility and a cargo area that’s not as accommodating as those of some other SUVs.
Front seat side-mounted airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags are now standard on every FJ. New options include an Off-Road Package with 16-inch alloy wheels surrounded by BF Goodrich Rugged Trail tires, Bilstein shocks and a rear-differential lock.
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 last year’s smash hit SUV, the FJ Cruiser. The 2008 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.
Used 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser pricing starts at $14,973 for the FJ Cruiser Sport Utility 2D, which had a starting MSRP of $25,614 when new. The range-topping 2008 FJ Cruiser Sport Utility 2D starts at $14,973 today, originally priced from $25,614.
Original MSRP | KBB Fair Purchase Price (nat'l average) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
$25,614 | $14,973 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for used 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser models in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly.
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 rearward visibility and a wide 41.8-foot turning circle, Toyota’s newest 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.
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.
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 2008 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.
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.
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, side curtain airbags, two front airbags and 17-inch black steel wheels. Four-wheel-drive FJs come standard with a six-speed manual transmission.
FJ Cruiser upgrades include keyless entry, cruise control, rear sonar parking assist, 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.
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
239 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
278 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/20 (2WD, automatic), 15/18 (4WD, manual) 16/20 (4WD, automatic)
Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings.
We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology.
Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing.
Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.)
We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.
Curb Weight | 4295 lbs. | ||
---|---|---|---|
Fuel Capacity | 19.0 gallons | ||
Front Head Room | 41.3 inches | ||
Front Leg Room | 41.9 inches | ||
Max Seating Capacity | 5 | ||
Minimum Ground Clearance | 9.6 inches | ||
Overall Length | 183.9 inches | ||
Front Shoulder Room | 58.4 inches | ||
Towing Capacity, Maximum | 5000 lbs. | ||
Trunk or Cargo Capacity | 66.8 cu.ft. | ||
Turning Diameter | 41.8 feet | ||
Wheel Base | 105.9 inches | ||
Width with mirrors | 74.6 inches |
Alloy Wheels | Available | ||
---|---|---|---|
Fog Lights | Available | ||
Number of Doors | 2 doors | ||
Privacy Glass | Available | ||
Roof Rails | Available |
City | 16 mpg | ||
---|---|---|---|
Highway | 20 mpg | ||
Combined | 17 mpg |
Drivetrain | 4WD | ||
---|---|---|---|
Transmission Type | Automatic | ||
5 speed | Available | ||
Recommended Fuel | Premium | ||
Limited Slip Differential | Available |
Horsepower | 239 @ 5200 RPM | ||
---|---|---|---|
Torque | 278 @ 3700 rpm | ||
Engine | V6, 4.0 Liter |
Basic | 3 years / 36000 miles | ||
---|---|---|---|
Powertrain | 5 years / 60000 miles | ||
Corrosion | 5 years / Unlimited miles |
Used 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser | Used 2016 Audi Q3 | Used 2015 Audi Q7 | Used 2014 BMW X6 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price | $15,484 | $13,951 | $13,966 | $13,964 | |
KBB.com Rating | N/A | 4.6 | 4.0 | 3.6 | |
Consumer Rating | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.3 | 4.8 | |
Fuel Economy | City 16/Hwy 20/Comb 17 MPG | City 20/Hwy 28/Comb 23 MPG | City 19/Hwy 27/Comb 22 MPG | City 14/Hwy 21/Comb 17 MPG | |
Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Diesel | Gas | |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 | 7 | 5 | |
Basic Warranty | 3 years or 36000 miles | 4 years or 50000 miles | 4 years or 50000 miles | 4 years or 50000 miles | |
Horsepower | 239 @ 5200 RPM | 200 @ 5100 RPM | 240 @ 3500 RPM | 400 @ 5500 RPM | |
Engine | V6, 4.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | V6, Turbo Dsl, 3.0L | V8, Twin Turbo, 4.4 Liter | |
Drivetrain | 4WD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
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