First Look at the Toyota FJ Cruiser
Déjà vu, man. I feel like I've seen the FJ Cruiser before. That's the way Retrofuturism works on your brain. Toyota's designers brag about their design inspiration, the 1967 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser. Ah-hah! That's where that grille shape comes from. The headlights are contained in the grille surround, and turn signals/marker lights are on the corners, making the FJ Cruiser's flat hood look narrower. All FJ Cruisers will have white roofs and wrap-around rear windows, just like the FJ40s did. The FJ has three front windshield wipers, the better to wipe your windshield with. Squared-off fender wells and short front and rear overhangs lend an athletic, able stance and are also great for approach/departure angles – there's that functional design thing again. Out back, the spare tire hangs on the rear gate, which is hinged on the left. The back glass opens around the tire, so you don't have to swing the tire out of the way to open the hatch and get to the cargo compartment. Clever, if a little overworked, like the windshield wipers.The FJ Cruiser is going to get called "cute" – it's just so retro that it can't help it. It's like an eager puppy heading out into the field, all youth and exuberance, nipping at the heels of the big dogs.