The beauty of the motor car is that it can create fun in so many different ways. Whether it’s attacking one of the world’s finest racetracks, blazing along a famed drag strip, or even simply cruising along a picturesque mountain road, there are so many outlets to enjoy driving. Another is by taking a machine off-road, with drivers taking great pleasure in working with their pride and joy to take on and master the great outdoors.
Should this walk of life appeal to you, but you don’t have the money for something like a new Toyota Land Cruiser, one of its older siblings could be the perfect point of entry.
The FJ Cruiser Is A Modern Classic
2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser off-road 4×4 front 3/4Toyota
While the Land Cruiser has rightly gained a reputation for being one of the most effective and beloved off-roaders in the world, primarily due to its toughness and dependability in the harshest environments, there is a case that newer versions lack the retro vibe of older examples. If this element features high up your priority list, but you want something more modern, then you’d do well to consider the FJ Cruiser.
First released for the 2007 model year in the US, the FJ Cruiser was, as hinted at by its name, heavily influenced by the original FJ40 Land Cruiser. This was a more utilitarian and rugged version of the nameplate, with later ones morphing ever more towards providing a more practical and luxury experience on the road. The FJ Cruiser was envisioned to bring back the simplicity of the original, with the car set to feature retro styling that celebrated the genesis of the Land Cruiser name, while also being as impressive and reliable off-road.
Toyota’s designers and engineers nailed both of these traits, and when you combine them with the FJ’s relative rarity when compared to rivals like its 4Runner sibling and Jeep’s Wrangler, all the ingredients were there for the model to become a modern classic. Whereas only just over 220,000 FJ’s were sold in the US during its production run, Toyota churned out nearly double the number of 4Runners across the same period. By contrast, nearly a million Wranglers left Jeep showrooms across this stretch.
Indeed, used values of the various models have started creeping up in recent years, and this will continue to snowball as fewer low-mileage cars remain on the market.
Toyota’s Special Trail Teams Version Is Even More Hardcore
Blue Toyota FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Ultimate Edition, side angleBring A Trailer
Should the FJ intrigue you, but you want something with even more exclusivity, then the Trail Teams Special Edition could be right up your street. Built between 2008 and 2014, although it wasn’t offered for 2009, the Trail Teams was built to celebrate Toyota’s most hardcore off-road drivers by offering a variant that was even more off-road focused than the standard model, which also had one eye on working effectively on the road.
While it shared the same basic underpinnings and 4.0-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine as the normal FJ, which afforded it 259 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, as well as the five-speed automatic transmission, there were some key differences underneath the skin. Firstly, the car was equipped with an upgraded Bilstein suspension setup that was tuned to afford better performance when tackling tricky terrain. This did compromise its on-road performance, but it was more usable over the rough stuff.
In addition, the four-wheel drive Trail Teams received rear differential locks that helped to provide some extra traction should one wheel start spinning, as well as a nifty Active Traction Control setup. This system worked in conjunction with the ABS to stop the wheels with little traction from spinning, before then sending the power to the tires that did have grip to help improve overall traction. It also looked the part, with blacked-out body panels and wheels giving it a more serious aesthetic, a look further emphasized by more serious BF Goodrich off-road tires. Side-mounted rock rails were also included for the price of entry.
Due to its modified suspension settings, the Trail Teams isn’t the ideal option for drivers who’ll spend most of their time on the road, but it’s an excellent option for those who are hugely enthusiastic about spending the bulk of their time off the beaten track.
Its Rarity Means It’s Worth A Fair Chunk More Than A Standard Car
Beige 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser Trail Teams rear endCars and Bids
Aside from being an even more effective off-roader than its standard sibling, the Trail Teams version is much rarer. Most model years saw 2,500 examples being produced, though only 1,500 cars were constructed in 2010. That means that, of the 220,000 total FJ’s built during its lifetime, just 14,000 of these were Trail Teams variants. This added exclusivity not only makes them cooler, but it also heightens their value on the used market.
Whereas base FJ’s tend to average around $20,000 on the used market, Trail Teams versions cost closer to $40k. For the most part, even a well-used example with around 100,000 miles on the odometer will set you back around $30k, while lower mileage machines can easily breach the $50k mark.
Find a barely used FJ Trail Teams, which is a difficult task since most were used for what they were built for, and you’ll far exceed $60,000 due to the collectibility of such a car. That said, even though you’ll have to have a car with a fair amount of miles, such a car will still cost you a strong $20k less on average than a brand-new Land Cruiser.
In terms of which model year to aim for, you’d be better off trying to track down a 2014 car. At the moment, there isn’t a whole lot of difference in terms of value between each, but the final version comes with some handy enhancements that earlier cars don’t have. For starters, automatic-equipped examples get Toyota’s Crawl system, which was first introduced on the 2013 FJ.
This allows the car to drive along at ultra-slow speeds, which helps navigate dodgy terrain such as rocky outcrops. There are also 2014-specific upgrades, such as an enhanced underbody skidplate that improves protection at more extreme angles, as well as upgraded Bilstein suspension that improves chassis articulation and overall stability on the rough stuff.
It’s clear that the Trail Teams’ rarity, retro styling, and effectiveness as an off-roader play key roles in ensuring the car holds its value so well, but there’s another key ingredient for this particular recipe.
The FJ Cruiser Has Also Proven Bulletproof
Toyota 1GR-FE V6 engine-2Toyota
This particular ingredient is dependability, which mainly comes down to the FJ’s 1GR-FE V6 engine. Designed from the outset to be used in Toyota’s trucks and off-roaders, the powerplant provides its torque at lower revs to provide more pulling power at slower speeds, like in off-roading situations. Blown head gaskets can be a problem at around 150,000 miles for 2008 and 2009 FJs, but the engine has crafted a commanding reputation for being able to keep pounding on for between 200,000 and 300,000 miles without much trouble, as long as it is properly maintained.
The thing that prevents it from lasting longer is its aluminum engine block, which lacks the same level of longevity as a block made from iron.
Plus, due to the FJ being built upon the same rugged ladder frame chassis as used by the 4Runner and Land Cruiser, it can be thrown around the tough stuff for hundreds of thousands of miles without crumbling into dust. As a result, the FJ Cruiser has a smaller chance of breaking down at higher mileages than rival vehicles, making it a more viable used purchase even after it has covered so much distance. The consequence of this is that it holds its value better.
The FJ Trail Teams Has Held Its Value Better Than Its Rivals
A front three-quarter shot of a 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited drivingJeep
The Trail Teams is also worth considerably more than its more commonly found rivals of the time, like the 4Runner and Wrangler. According to Classic.com, while a 2010 FJ Cruiser Trail Teams has an average value of $43,000 as of August 2026, the Jeep comes in at just $14,900. The 4Runner of a similar vintage is also valued at around this level, illustrating just how well the upgraded FJ has held its value. It’s worth noting that even the standard FJ models have an average value of around $36k, putting them at around three times the price of the 4Runner and Wrangler.
Given that the FJ Cruiser Trail Teams look set to continue increasing in value as they get rarer over time, its current worth, when put up against a new Land Cruiser, looks pretty decent. After all, the new car will only depreciate to the point of an FJ TT in a few years anyway, and with a much slimmer chance of eventually becoming as collectible in the future.
As a hardcore off-roader that’ll provide you with endless fun out in the wilderness, while also remaining dependable and valuable long into the future, the FJ Cruiser TT stands out as a tantalizing option.
Sources: Classic.com, Toyota.
