Some things just have to end, even in the automotive world. Carmakers have been saying goodbyes to vehicle models and nameplates. Customers have no choice to accept the fate of the vehicles they have to love, despite the shortcomings.
Carmakers end production of their offerings due to one or more reasons. One of the most likely reasons is that these vehicles don’t sell well and are unprofitable. Interestingly, an industry-wide shift to electrification is now causing the death of various models as well. In fact, Dodge is saying goodbye to its Hellcat V8 models, spelling out the death of these powerful performance models.
Toyota had long said goodbye to the FJ Cruiser in Japan and the United States. But while the Japanese carmaker stopped selling the FJ Cruiser in 2016, Toyota is still producing and marketing the retro-flavored SUV somewhere else in the world.
Alas, after more than 15 years since its introduction in the Middle East, the FJ Cruiser is finally saying farewell by the end of 2022. This is still enough time to make the end of the SUV in the Middle East more memorable in its final model year. The carmaker is doing so with the unveiling of the limited 2023 Toyota FJ Cruiser Final Edition model.
Toyota Is Terminating The FJ Cruiser In The Middle East
Via: Toyota
Toyota’s FJ Cruiser actually traces its roots to the classic Toyota FJ Series Land Cruiser – a dependable and seemingly indestructible SUV which saw its own end [after several decades of existence] in the early 2000s. The Japanese carmaker brought the FJ name back to life in 2006 with the FJ Cruiser, which looks and feels differently from its predecessors.
Just like its predecessors, the FJ Cruiser is an SUV meant for the off-road, although it boasts of being comfortably drivable even on paved roads. Toyota coupled its modern looks with various comfort and technical upgrades, although the SUV is really meant to take its occupants to places where the road ends. This why the FJ Cruiser got a strong following in the Middle East, a place where it could strut its wares.
At first glimpse, the FJ Cruiser instantly tells the world that it could take its talents to the off-roads. It has high ground clearance and considerable angles. Its aggressive styling betrays its rugged capabilities, while its functional interior offers secure and a roomy cabin. It is simply a capable SUV that drivers in the Middle East have come to love. But things have to end after a 15-year run for the FJ Cruiser.
FJ Cruiser Says Goodbye With Final Edition Model
Via: Toyota
Now that its time has come to end, the Toyota FJ Cruiser won’t go away without saying goodbye. The 2023 FJ Cruiser Final Edition is a fitting farewell party, and only around 1,000 customers in the Middle East can invite themselves in.
In terms of appearance, the exterior of the FJ Cruiser Final Edition will come wrapped in sand-like beige finish. To provide a dynamic contrast to the beige body, Toyota had other exterior sections – including the grille, bumpers, exterior mirrors, door handles, as well as the spare tire cover – coated in a special black finish. The Final Edition rides on 17-inch aluminum wheels. Marking the exclusivity of the FJ Cruiser special model is a Final Edition badge indicating the unique number.
This color scheme continues inside the FJ Cruiser Final Edition, with the beige color dominating the upholstery for the front seats and rear bench. According to the press release, the center cluster trim also wears the single-tone beige color scheme.
In their separate press releases, Abdul Latif Jameel Motors and Al-Futtaim Automotive -- authorized distributors of Toyota vehicles in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, respectively -- did not include any image of the 2023 Toyota FJ Cruiser Final Edition. Interestingly, though, Toyota did offer a Japan-only 2017 FJ Cruiser Final Edition.
Interestingly, the looks of the 2017 FJ Cruiser Final Edition is quite similar to the 2023 model. As the images show, the Japan-only model comes wrapped in beige and black finishes, both inside and out.
Toyota To Commence Final Edition Sales In December
Via: Toyota
It seems that Toyota did not make any changes on the mechanicals of the 2023 FJ Cruiser Final Edition. Its core remains the DOHC, 4.0-liter V6 engine – featuring dual independent Variable Valve Timing with intelligence – that could deliver 268 hp of max and 280 lb-ft of peak torque. The mill sends power to the wheels via a 5-speed automatic transmission and a part-time 4WD system with transfer case [HI/LOW].
The FJ Cruiser Final Edition includes all the hardware elements and assistive technologies found in the standard model. These include Active Traction Control [A-TRAC], Crawl Control, Vehicle Stability Control [with an off switch], as well as electronically controlled locking rear differential.
Abdul Latif Jameel Motors and Al-Futtaim Automotive are selling the 2023 Toyota FJ Cruiser Final Edition to customers in their respective jurisdictions in the Middle East. Toyota will commence sales of the FJ Cruiser Final Edition in the region in the fourth quarter of 2022, although it has yet to reveal the price for each example.
Source: Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, Al-Futtaim Automotive