2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser Review - A Well Executed, Retro SUV

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is the real deal in terms of throwback SUVs. It outclasses a Jeep Wrangler JK while still providing a wonderfully unique design that pays tribute to the classic FJ40 Land Cruiser. However, with skyrocketing second hand prices, does it make sense to purchase an FJ Cruiser now, or are you better off with a 4Runner or Wrangler?
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Thank you Royal on the Eastside for loaning me the FJ used in this review!
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FJ Cruiser Packaging Information
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Fender Bulge problem
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Crawl Control Demonstration
• 2016 Toyota Tacoma - D...
Thank you, Kristen King, for whipping the FJ around some snowy roads for me!

[@dragonpsychology60]

Best hidden feature: Use the lid of the dashboard storage to hold your phone for navigation, etc: The phone will lean up horizontally with the lid closed on top of it to hold it perfectly. Amazing little hack once I discovered it :)

[@stephenimsong3462]

for me i don't want to lose what little wind screen i already don't have. i have a phone mount off to the right of the triple gauge cluster. Although i plan on installing a head unit with car play in future

[@mindmusiclab2397]

@@stephenimsong3462 I understand! But it doesn't really block view of the road, just the hood.

[@stephenimsong3462]

@@mindmusiclab2397 I think we have different driving positions, I tend to sit back. I don’t see the hood when driving haha.

[@nigelorion]

Just bought a 07 manual with 215k. Runs like new. Love these trucks!

[@axetrops]

Mines also 07 with 177k

[@SAMusement]

Huge fan of the FJ's. Their funky design is kind of refreshing these days! Thanks for the review

[@SimornM]

In a sea of many car reviewers, I'm sure it's difficult to stand out. I appreciate your work and it's pretty refreshing to see a new face in car content. Keep it up man ! I have an 05 Tacoma but would love either this or a 4runner lol

[@Realistick]

Thank you! It's definitely been tricky trying to stand out, sometime in the near future I hope to go full time with video production. I appreciate the support and I definitely recommend the FJ!

[@SimornM]

@@Realistick Yeah man i hope you make it too! ill be looking forward to watching your other videos :)

[@earthling1984]

My 2012 has just 80k miles. Not a single thing needed done to it other than once a year a synthetic oil change. Super reliable.

[@trentoakley1473]

I guess Im kind of off topic but does anybody know a good website to stream new tv shows online?

[@itripfatbitches]

This is 2 years late , but my friends still goin after 340 k , hope urs is still going

[@earthling1984]

@itripfatbitches Awesome mileage there. I'm only around 86k (I've had another vehicle as my daily driver for a few years). Keeping my FJ low miles. I just drive it when I need the extra room, or in bad winter snows (my other vehicle is a sedan).

[@effenrad6776]

Just picked one up about a month ago. Freaking loving it and can’t wait for the mods that can be done as well

[@DDobs12]

I own one...so kind of biased. I love this truck. To think I almost had a wrangler instead. Thanks for the good review!

[@dirttales]

over 220k on mine, still amazing!

[@bigboij3027]

im starting to drive an fj and i just wanted to say i love the fact this was posted 2021

[@Fierrosporcelular]

As a Jeep lover, the Wrangler got a beating in your script, but it's your opinion and I respect it. Love the FJ/4Runner duo. Great job as usual!

[@chemicalwaffle9220]

Great review. The college advisor skit hit too close to home! Happened to me almost word for word.

[@Realistick]

Thank you and I was sadly speaking from experience too

[@fjoffrd1240]

Iam biased, 2011. Mine has only 51000 miles. Barely broke in. Will be my last ride, at 61 years old! It’s pristine.

[@breeze787]

Congratulations! I've owned 2 4Runners that have gone over 300k miles. And I discovered that a Toyotas break-in period is right around 200k. So you've got a while to go. My 2014 FJ has 49,000 miles on the OD. Maybe I'll catch up with you someday.

[@michaelpalm2210]

I wanted one of these. Hard to find. Got a 2020 4 runner for a sweet covid 19 price. $36k for a SR5 4 runner. or $35k for a 7y.o. Fj cruiser? tough decision. I wanted both

[@breeze787]

@@michaelpalm2210 How nice it would be to have Toyota bring back the FJ. The new ones that aren't selling here come with larger gas tanks and a built in air compressor. Go figure!

[@eman0101]

0pjk

[@leootp22]

Love my 2012. I have wanted one of these for a long time. Actually getting my hands on it if I had to complain about two things it would be the backup cam, but I knew that going in, and the wind noise. I haven't had a vehicle shaped like a brick before with a roof rack so it isn't off putting, but noticeable.

[@donaldbean6291]

Just bought a 2010 trails team I freaking love it

[@LiL13izzy7]

Stock FJ bluetooth calling is absolutely the worst. You are right, it's not easy to find. Even harder to set up, and ultimately very cumbersome to use.

[@Realistick]

Yeah, the old systems were not great, I've actually encountered the same Bluetooth interface (the voice powered unit) in several cars at this point from Mitsubishi, Mazda and now Toyota. So for the time period of 2011-2014, I wouldn't call it worse than other systems that did not have a touch screen, however that is a very very low bar😂

[@breeze787]

You know I don't have any problems making calls on my 2014 FJ. I tell Siri to call my wife and it dials and patches it through my FJ's audio. When I use the steering wheel its just not as simple but it works well. Sorry for your troubles.

[@garry1220able]

@@breeze787 mine works fine and up to two iphone connections... it's just the first time connection are minor cumbersome

[@jamesmignogna4942]

The 6MT it's true, is all time 4wd, however it's regular is a 40-60 split favoring the rear... then you shift it to 4H for a true 50-50 split, and then you also have 4low. It's particularly nice on things like gravel or sand where you can adjust the amount of kick out on your back wheels or pivot from the center of the vehicle... I LOVE my FJ.

[@mm3587]

Just bought a 2013 with a 100k miles. Absolutely loving this thing so far 🔥

[@itripfatbitches]

How much u get it for ?

[@bag2963]

Cool upload Tyler, dope content, In my opinion the FJ look is cool, but not really my thing(I mean its nice, but yeah, idk why but I’d add some Italian design, even though it’s not the car’s... point lol), I like the simplicity and practicality tho, it also catches my eye on streets. The collage sketch was hilarious lmao Cheers.

[@Realistick]

Thank you, the design is definitely more cheeseburger in paradise than latin cuisine and i think a little Italian flare would make it spicy but as you said, not the point of the car. The sketch was made with a burning passion!

[@bag2963]

@@Realistick Oh yeah I see XD I'll try to use that 4 years as good as possible :)

[@fritty9927]

Brown County is close to me(Indy) and my cousin lives there. Lunch at the Hob Knob is a must. Love my 2014 FJ. Just turned 80,000 miles and runs like it had 8 miles.😄

[@MissJharLeeTalks]

Yasssss Philippines with Manual Transmission Vehicles!!!! Come through Philippines!

[@liottastudiosllcFineArt]

I’ve been offered crazy money for my 2014. But in truth there isn’t a vehicle out there I’d rather have🤔🤔🤔 I think I’ll keep my FJ…🤣🤣🤣

[@Realistick]

It's crazy how the values have still been shooting up since I made this video

[@DYNABIKE1]

My 2014 has a lumbar support - - Big twistable knob on the side of drivers seat. Each door has a lg.bucket style opening to hold Your cup , water bottle , etc.

[@mathildamccabem9811]

Baught a 2020 model... loooooove my FJ... quality better than many of today’s vehicles. Versatile, reliable and cool 😎

[@AssyrianKing4ever]

I'm in love with the FJ. They are so expensive though 😢

[@breeze7876]

My neighbor has 2 Jeeps. Both are able to remove the roof. Both leak profusely.

[@shanet7511]

My hummer H2 has the same issue at stoplights. Also a video directly comparing a Sequoia 5.7 platinum with rear air suspension and an LX570 would be pretty awesome.

[@Realistick]

That would be interesting, my parents recently got rid of their high mileage Sequoia (I did a review on it when I just started out) and that felt on just about the same level of comfort as the LX570 I reviewed. I can't remember a whole bunch other than that both had that vertical bounciness characteristic of a truck, yet, they were never jarring, pretty smooth over most roads and always felt confident.

[@Alkowary556]

Can u make a review of the Mercedes ML

[@devinkbates9279]

love the FJ. i just wish they'd have come with a sunroof option and the retractable rear window like on the 4runner/tundra/sequoia . (maybe on the 'next' FJ)

[@xavitrains]

The rear window opens up though!

[@devinkbates9279]

@@xavitrains but it can only be opened from the outside with the key.. AFAIK there's no button inside to open it. Less than convenient..

[@jackempson3044]

They're worth a lot more now used than when new. I just saw a 2014 with 94,000 mi for 45,000 on a toyota lot.

[@filmingyu6623]

How tall are you? How comfortable did you fit in the FJ?

[@xxyvng6831]

Mines an 07 auto with no roof rack and has an auto.came with jbl subwoofer tho

[@damilolaakanni]

105.9 inches wheelbase...understandable. These were based on the 2 door version of the Land Cruiser Prado, unlike the 4runner and Lexus GX which were based on the 4 door models.

[@wellgeo223]

I imagine if they re release this, it’ll start at like $50K

[@UncleFjester]

at $50,000 or "LIKE" $50,000? What is this "like" filler word?

[@titusbyzantine4949]

@@UncleFjester around 50k

[@itripfatbitches]

great f prediction

[@LM-rk5xk]

Could you review a post 2009 lancer gt? Like a 2012?

[@Realistick]

I have been wanting to review a Lancer, I'm just waiting for the right one to get in, my parents used to have an 08 GTS!

[@zardozyo]

My previous personal vehicle was a Lincoln Town Car. My 2014 FJ Landcruiser is even better.

[@njv1234]

You are hilarious. This is my powerball car BTW

[@wastedbandwidth]

lack of vision is a nightmare

[@bigboij3027]

on the manual version the clutch is very heavy

[@Realistick]

Interesting, I have never driven a manual fj or older manual tacoma. I guess it makes sense with it being this burly truck thing but that does sound like it would get annoying then.

[@nateman79]

I want one SO BAD…. Dammit, why do I have to make my dream car the one that retains its value better than anything else!

[@zardozyo]

Increases in value. Paid $31K three years ago and have turned down $50k . Like the $4000 new 356 that now is whatever you want.

[@alejandro.colson]

United States gets toyoRas, not toyoTas 🤭🤣 because they don't know how to pronounce the T, they change it for an R.

[@axetrops]

The person doing the review must be really tall.

[@Je_suis_Jefe]

Dude is like 10ft tall, he makes the FJ Cruiser look like a toy truck

[@jameshoeft1007]

Incorrect, no bead locks available from Toyota

[@Capheny]

who is that at 13:43 is that your girlfriend