With The 2021 Bronco Coming And Jeep Wrangler Sales Brisk, Is It A Given The Toyota FJ Cruiser Has To Make A Comeback?

Hard to say.

People have really taken a crazy level of liking the 5th Gen 4Runner. Sales have gone from 46k units in 2010 to a high of 139k unit in 2018. 131k were sold in 2019. This is an old platform and a truck with a very plasticy interior with mediocre gas mileage and at times a jiggly ride. Tacoma sales are in the neighbourhood of 250k units a year in the USA. Although I like this concept, The FJ was discontinued because did it not sell all that well..

Right now - with the ending of the restrictions - Toyota as do ALL manufacturers - needs to get SALES to generate some free flowing cash on their Balance sheets. The FJ did not sell well recently - and since creating a NEW one would be too far off - they really need to stress what they have that does SELL.

Just as the original Bronco was a really bad ride - the FJ had run its course and really failed to keep up with even a modicum of gentility - If they had a new one in the pipeline to replace it - that could compete - that would be great. But -the consensus is still out on the Bronco - and until it establishes itself for its segment - I am not convinced it will be a Run-away hit at its size. The more like the original one it is - the less likely it will be.

If their plan is to make it look like a Kia Soul I'm not optimistic.

The last FJ Cruiser was a mess. The door arrangement was dumb as was the tailgate. It was styled like a Barbie car with some off-road ability. It looked "softroader" so people looking for crossovers shunned it and people who went off-road shunned it as well. If Toyota can come up with a design that is not confused and compromised then do another FJ, but if Barbie Cruiser is their plan, then don't do it.

If any vehicle deserves to be brought back as a retro model this one does. The Barbie take was a disaster. Something truer to the FJ40 would be much better.

I feel like the last FJ has become somewhat of a cult car. There seems to be a pretty decent following of folks loving it. If Toyota is going to re-enter this specific segment now is the right time with the Bronco and Defender coming to do battle with the Wrangler. I’d love to see Honda re-do the Element to a more rugged, true off-roading vehicle too. I wish Nissan would bring the Pathfinder back to its original roots and bring back the Xterra also. Nissan has become the epitome of a generic brand that people go to to get a good deal not necessarily because they have any interesting choices. Honestly I’m contemplating a second car and am considering a well equipped Wrangler or the Defender. Too bad there aren’t more choices currently and after seeing pics of the Bronco Sport, I’m not really holding much hope for that car or the Bronco.

The FJ found a life among the Land Cruiser crazies who obsess over old Land Cruisers to the point of driving up their prices, so along came the Barbie Cruiser for cheap used that allowed an "in" for people to join the club.

If Toyota had brains, they would make Land Cruiser a BRAND sold in Lexus dealers with a "Wrangler", the 4Runner reassigned, and then a range topper in place of the horribly outdated GX/LX. I'd even go so far as to kill the CHR and replace it with a Land Cruiser "dune buggy" vibed vehicle that radiates fun and ruggedness, if not necessarily Rubicon ability.

I like the idea of the Land Cruiser brand but many will say they’re copying Land Rover. Yes the CHR should die too

Perhaps BUT Land Cruiser has been around nearly as long as Land Rover and Land Cruiser is by far the better quality the entire time.

My prediction: 4Runner will progress into a US assembled unibody longitudinal engine platform with RWD, AWD and 4x4 with low range versions non-turbo 3.5 V6 and 8 spd longitudinal AT priced above the highlander. It’ll be closely related to the Jeep Grand Cherokee which has good yearly sales. For hardcore body on frame lovers Toyota has a new Land Cruiser in mind: either the Prado (Lexus drops the GX460) or a 4dr 70 series (the one that looks like a 1st gen Isuzu Trooper). It’ll need it to face the wrangler, Defender, the upcoming Bronco and the return of the Nissan Xterra.
That toy SUV in the picture is just a decoy.