Fiction continues to reflect the FJ’s eccentric boxiness.
After a turbulent time, the Toyota FJ Cruiser vanished from the US market in 2014. The quirky-looking offroader was introduced in 2006. It had to compete against the Jeep Wrangler, the Great Recession, and data- Although there is no indication that the FJ will make a comeback soon, a new rendering shows a modernized version of the SUV.
Rain Prisk’s Facebook page has the unofficial rendering. It reinterprets FJ’s unique design to create a new generation of off-road vehicles. Although the FJ’s boxiness is still evident, it’s sharper and more refined. The grille features bold Toyota branding. It is flanked on the outside by round headlights and horizontal turn signal indicators. Above the grille is a hood intake. The rendering has a large, chunky front bumper assembly that looks like the original FJ.
You can also see the thick C-pillar design of the FJ just behind your rear half-door. The FJ’s styling is crisp and clean, not as bold as the Bronco nor as utilitarian like the Wrangler. Although the FJ’s wheel wells are covered in subtle cladding, it appears to have fender flares due to the creases in sheet metal. Although there is no rear-end rendering, a small portion of the taillight still shows, which is similar to the original. The styling isn’t as bulbous.
Toyota has not indicated that it plans to bring the model back in the US. In 2018, Toyota had hinted at the possibility that a smaller, off-road vehicle might be made. However, this has not happened. Recent reports on Toyota’s plans include no mention of an FJ or other off-road-oriented SUV. This doesn’t mean that one isn’t being developed as automakers seek to please existing customers and attract new ones.