2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser

VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Toyota FJ Cruiser

Toyota’s FJ Cruiser is straight out of central casting for anyone after a left-field, old-school 4x4 with proper attitude. You won’t find one new, and you won’t find many at all — just nine up for grabs right now, between R359,995 and R789,500. That tells you everything about its local scarcity: Toyota SA never put the FJ on showroom floors in any meaningful way. Every example packs the 4.0-litre V6 and automatic gearbox, period. Compared to a Defender 110, G-Class, or Wrangler Rubicon, the FJ’s price tag feels almost reasonable if you catch one at the bottom of that range, especially considering you’re buying into a cult classic, not just a car. Most are the regular 4.0 V6 Cruiser, with five listings running from R399,995 to a frankly eye-watering R789,500, while the Sport Cruiser versions are easier on the wallet at R359,995 to R379,900. These are 2011–2021 models, and nearly all have seen real action, with average mileage at 204,712 km. That matters — you’ll want a good mechanic before you sign anything, because these are not pampered mall-crawlers. The FJ’s selling point is its unapologetic presence: that iconic, chunky profile, the twin side-exit pipes, and a shape that refuses to blend in, even a decade on. Rear visibility? Dismal, worse than a Wrangler. But the V6’s smoothness redeems it. The wait for the right one is half the fun, if you’re patient — and that’s the point.