The 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser is a mud-slinging, rock-climbing, off-road utility beast. It’s also meant to be a grocery-getter. So, when reviewing a vehicle such as this, you need to put things into perspective. Does the full-size 17” rear-mounted spare tire and huge C-pillars reduce visibility? Yes. Is it a bit noisy in the cabin? Yes. Will you notice some body roll when taking sharp corners? Sure. Will your FJ conquer mountains, swim through questionable swamps, and leave your friends in the dust? Absolutely.
Related – The Land Cruiser FJ Is Back (Sort Of), and It’s Smaller Than You Think
Styling
The exterior styling is extremely aggressive and beefy, to say the least—a retro-styled mid-size SUV paying homage to its FJ40 Land Cruiser predecessor. An ironic mix of ‘small’ and ‘big’ exterior styling cues creates this monstrous identity: tiny windows surround the cabin; a skinny front grill with fairly small, round headlights; small window wipers; and small access doors.
Nestled amongst bugling bumpers and chiselled shoulder lines, massive 17-inch alloy wheels with black powder-coated finish rolling on tires with raised white lettering, huge front doors and fat C-pillar, and invasive skid plates, front and rear. Overall, the FJ renders this sense of exaggeration. And it works.
FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Special Edition Interior
The interior is roomy and has a good mix of comfort and utility. The front bucket seats are water-resistant, but I found the material makes things sweaty and uncomfortable (I’m sure that’s insignificant when traversing hills, but not so cool when you’re on the way to meet your accountant). The rear finds a bench seat with a 60/40 split, the same material as the front.
The centre console sees giant, almost condescending, buttons, but they’re straightforward. Above the console sit three gauges: a compass, a temperature gauge, and an inclinometer. The 3-spoke tilt steering wheel feels good. The instrument panel, with techy-styled white-and-black gauges, is easy to view and well laid out.
Living with the FJ day to day, the cabin’s hard-wearing nature becomes both a strength and a compromise. The upright dash, rubberized surfaces, and exposed grab handles make it clear Toyota prioritized durability over polish, and that’s part of the appeal. It’s easy to imagine hosing out muddy gear or brushing off trail dust without a second thought.
Storage is practical rather than clever, with wide door bins and a deep centre console that swallows essentials easily, even if smaller items tend to roam. It won’t impress luxury buyers, but for a vehicle that leans so heavily into function, the interior feels appropriately purposeful — a space that encourages use rather than fuss.
Driving Impressions: Built for Dirt, Tolerant of Daily Life
- Engine: 4.0L V6
- Horsepower: 239 hp @ 5,200 rpm
- Torque: 278 lb-ft @ 3,700 rpm
- Transmission: 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual
- Drivetrain: Full-time 4WD
- Suspension: Independent front suspension, solid rear axle with coil springs
- Towing Capacity: 5,000 lbs
On the road, the FJ Cruiser immediately feels like what it is: a truck-based SUV with real off-road intent, similar to its 4Runner sibling. Steering is heavy and deliberate, especially at lower speeds, and the tall seating position gives you a commanding view forward, even if the thick C-pillars make shoulder checks more of a leap-of-faith exercise. Around town, the suspension is firm but never punishing, soaking up potholes and rough pavement with a confidence that softer crossovers just can’t match. There’s noticeable body roll when hustled through corners, but it never feels out of control.
The 4.0L V6 is the standout on pavement. Torque comes on early, making the FJ feel eager off the line and well-suited for merging or climbing steep grades without drama. The 5-speed automatic shifts smoothly and predictably, while the manual option offers more engagement for those who want it. Wind and tire noise are present at highway speeds, but they feel appropriate rather than intrusive, reinforcing that this is a vehicle meant to be driven to the trail, not just talked about at the mall.
Off-road is where the FJ Cruiser truly justifies itself. Low-range gearing, A-TRAC, and the locking rear differential work together seamlessly, allowing the FJ to crawl over rocks, loose gravel, and deep ruts with little effort from the driver. Visibility over the hood is excellent when navigating obstacles, and the short overhangs help prevent unwanted scraping. It’s the kind of vehicle that makes difficult terrain feel approachable — even for drivers who aren’t seasoned off-road veterans. In that sense, the FJ Cruiser isn’t just capable; it’s confidence-inspiring, which may be its greatest asset of all.
Trail Teams Special Edition package
Safety features include dual-stage driver and passenger airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, and front and rear side-curtain airbags. Side-impact beams, a front tow hook, and a high-mounted rear LED stop lamp round out the core safety equipment.
The FJ Cruiser was offered in several trims, including the Base model (starting just under $30,000), the Off-Road Package, and the C Package. Our test vehicle came equipped with the Trail Teams Special Edition, a more focused off-road upgrade that added $8,175 and bundled together additional durability, traction, and comfort features, including:
- Active Traction Control System (A-TRAC)
- Locking Rear Differential
- Rock Rails
- Front and Rear Skid Plates, Roof Rails
- Special Edition Badging
- Five Piece All-Weather Floor Mats and Cargo Mat with Logos
- Colour-matched Door Trims and Instrument Panel
- Leather-trimmed Steering Wheel
- 8-Speaker FJammer High-Grade Audio System with SubWoofer, In-Dash 6-CD Changer
- Rear Privacy Glass and Rear Parking Sonar
Whether you plan to negotiate mountains or parking lots, the FJ Cruiser-Trail Teams Special Edition will do the trick. And look pretty damn slick while doing it. Here’s our review of the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Special Edition.
