Toyota axes FJ Cruiser

After being pulled from US dealerships in 2013, the Toyota FJ Cruiser will be axed in Australia later this year.

The FJ's exit from the big US market was always likely to sound the vehicle's death knell, and although Toyota Australia was confident the Prado-based, V6-powered desert dueller would soldier on, the importer has now backflipped and confirmed the FJ Cruiser's retirement here this year.

Despite the SUV boom that has been devouring regular passenger cars, the FJ Cruiser is a rare SUV casualty in the current automotive era.

Powered by a lower-output (200kW/380Nm) version of the 4.0-litre petrol V6 that powers the Prado on which it's based, the retro-look off-roader found more than 11,000 Australian buyers in its five-year run -- enough for Toyota to dub it an "instant classic".

However, FJ sales are down more than 20 per cent over the last 18 months and production of the vehicle will end in Japan in August.

"The FJ rides into the sunset as a vehicle renowned for its ability to traverse rugged outback trails while offering plenty of utility for all types of activities and being equally well-suited for everyday driving," said Toyota Australia executive director of sales and marketing, Tony Cramb.

Enthusiasts will note the FJ Cruiser's heritage spans way back to the early 1960s, when the Toyota FJ40 lobbed. In its 24-year lifespan the FJ40 sold more than one million units.

Seen as a rival to the Hummer H3, which was sold in Australia in the late 2000s, the FJ Cruiser had the best approach and departure angles in Toyota's off-road range, at 36 and 31 degrees. Like the Prado, the unique five-door 4x4 drives all four wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission with dual-range transfer case.

Despite the lack of a turbo-diesel engine, the FJ has a decent cruising range of around 1300km, thanks to its dual fuel tank set-up including 72- and 87-litre tanks.

However, a diesel option for the US-oriented SUV was the one thing some Aussies buyers wanted but never got and the FJ's time here was not without controversy, with a 2014 safety recall required to prevent a potential fire hazard.

For now, the FJ Cruiser remains on sale in a single specification priced at $46,990 plus on-road costs.