It can sometimes be pretty tricky to work out which new cars will become future classics. Usually, the clearest elements to look out for are rarity, performance, as well as heritage of some kind. These attributes on their own can usually push the value of a specific vehicle up over time, but having all three is a pretty much guaranteed win. On the face of it, Toyota's FJ Cruiser SUV didn't have the hallmarks of a collectible classic, even if it was styled to look like one of Toyota's early jeep-styled offerings.Toyota hoped it would take off and become a sales success, though this ultimately failed to come to pass. These days, getting one for anywhere near its original MSRP in tidy, low-mileage condition is impossible. The FJ Cruiser Was Well-Priced When It First Arrived Toyota The FJ Cruiser was offered in the US between 2007 and 2014, and its base MSRP fluctuated between $23,045 and $27,680 over this period. This was pretty reasonable for a tough and dependable, not to mention capable, off-road adventure vehicle. Many vehicles such as this lose their value over the years, and can usually be picked up for a bit of a bargain, much like other rugged Toyota models such as the 4Runner and Sequoia. The FJ Cruiser hasn't followed this path though, with low-mileage and cherished specimens now worth north of $50k, around double what they once retailed for.There are numerous examples like this popping up for sale all the time. When presented in excellent condition, even if they don't have particularly low mileages to boast, continue to command figures north of $40,000 or even $50,000. Looking at the other end of the spectrum on the CarBuzz Marketplace, we find high-mileage models with 120,000 or even 150,000 miles on the clock still commanding prices north of their original MSRP. More Well-Used FJs Are More Reasonably Priced ToyotaContinue looking though, and you can pick up a decent FJ Cruiser for around its original MSRP, though you'll have to accept a machine with plenty of miles under its belt. Again, our marketplace reports that the average sale price for the model sits around the $21,000 to $25,000 mark, with the vast majority of these vehicles being offered with well north of 100,000 miles on the odometer.Given its focus as a tough off-roader, it should come as little surprise to find that most FJs were enjoyed by their owners, rather than tucked away as a collectible. Considering what they're worth now, some will likely regret not taking this path. What's It Like To Live With? The biggest issue with the FJ Cruiser is fuel consumption, but if this is going to be a third or hobby car, that's not really an issue. The small rear doors aren't perfect, but the car would have been even more of a hassle if it only had two doors. Other hassles you need to look out for in 2026 include outdated infotainment, but that's something you can easily fix with several aftermarket systems designed specifically for the FJ.The rest of the package is standard Toyota. It won't blow you away, but it will be reliable, and replacement parts will always be available. When it comes to off-roading, the FJ can keep up with the best. The only thing it's lacking is a locking front differential. But, once again, that's something you can fix with an aftermarket part. ARB has an air locker that does the job well. The FJ's Rarity Has Driven Its Price Through The Roof Toyota There are a few reasons why the FJ Cruiser has seen such an escalation in value, though arguably the primary one is its exclusivity. Just over 222,000 examples were produced during its six-year stint, which is a pretty low number given the FJ Cruiser was hoped to be a popular mass-market offering. As a reference, Toyota managed to shift just shy of 480,000 RAV4s in 2025 alone, illustrating just how few FJs found owners during its six years on sale. Low-mileage ones are even rarer, hence their consistent rise up the value charts. Toyota's Wacky Off-Roader Is Perfectly Suited In 2026 Toyota Another reason behind the FJ Cruiser's current worth is the explosion of the adventure SUV market since the COVID-19 pandemic. While the FJ went up against the likes of the Jeep Wrangler during its original production run, such vehicles were nowhere near as popular as they are now. The Wrangler's sales have seen a sharp increase over recent years, while Ford brought back the Bronco to take advantage of the resurgence of the adventure off-roader. Even Toyota recognized this, though instead of a new FJ, it altered the design of its Land Cruiser to better suit the adventurous lifestyle.The FJ Cruiser thus represents a unique way of securing such a vehicle, rather than opting for more obvious options like the Wrangler and Bronco. Combine this with Toyota's reputation for building dependable vehicles, and you've got all the ingredients needed for a steep rise in value. The FJ Cruiser Turned Up At The Wrong Time Toyota There's a strong argument that the FJ Cruiser would have been a much more successful prospect had it been released today, as opposed to 2008. For one, the financial recession that kicked off at the time prevented many buyers from splashing out on a new car, let alone a hobby-style machine like the FJ. Plus, the rise of the adventure SUV was a fair way further into the future than Toyota had anticipated, so it got a little too trigger-happy on this occasion.Take the sales of the Wrangler as a good example. Jeep was doing well to sell north of 100,000 units a year in the US early in the 2010s, but this had swelled to around 200,000 by the end of the decade. Rising competition like the Bronco has caused these sales to drop by over 20% since then, but the adventure SUV sector as a whole looks incredibly strong right now. The FJ would have fitted perfectly into the mold of the Bronco and Wrangler, and likely would have been a sizable thorn in their sides. Poor Sales Forced Its Axing Toyota The FJ followed a similar theme to that of the modern-day Bronco or Wrangler models by employing a durable body-on-frame construction method, though it was more like the Ford in that it utilized independent suspension front and rear. This made it a better proposition on normal roads than the likes of the live-axle-equipped Wrangler, but not quite as tough and capable off it. Plus, the lack of any four-wheel drive system also likely put prospective buyers off, given that the Wrangler could be had with it.While Toyota managed to sell around 50,000 of its FJ40-inspired machine in its first year on sale, it struggled to eclipse the 20,000 barrier beyond this. Following several years of sales showing no signs of increasing, Toyota pulled the plug on the FJ in the US at the end of 2014. The model remained in production for other markets, such as in various Asian and South American countries, until 2022. The FJ Cruiser Offers A Versatile Adventure Experience Toyota While the Wrangler's more focused off-road underpinnings have kept it in the lead as far as sales go, the Bronco's extra usability on normal roads has allowed it to close up drastically. The FJ benefits from the same approach as the latter, making it a more capable daily driver than the Jeep. Further emphasizing this is its proven reliability when compared to the Wrangler, given RepairPal estimates you'll spend around $506 a year maintaining the FJ, as opposed to $694 for the Wrangler.A large part of this is that the FJ utilized Toyota's mighty 4.0-liter 1GR-FE V6 engine. Having first turned up in 2002, the powerplant has been developed continually ever since, and remains in production under the hood of the Land Cruiser and Hilux pickup truck to this day. The unit provides 260 horsepower in the FJ, and is the ideal powerplant for traversing the challenging wilderness due to its approachable power and reliability. That's despite all the power being sent to the real wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission, further illustrating its suitability as a more road-friendly option.Alongside this, the FJ Cruiser was also designed with tough obstacles in mind. Its short 105.9-inch wheelbase was used to increase agility and reduce the chances of bottoming out over large declines, something further helped by its 9.6 inches of ground clearance. It also has a short nose and tail to improve its approach and departure angles, making it a handy tool for the great outdoors. If you think about its value in the same vein as a brand-new Bronco or Wrangler, the FJ Cruiser still holds up well today as a rugged and capable adventure off-roader. Plus, there may be some more headroom for its used value to increase further still.