Every year car and truck enthusiast wait for the appearance of their favorite ride. My time at General Motors gave me insight into just how fanatical this anticipation can be. Like a kid on Christmas Eve, folks fidget, analysts yammer, and everyone tries to peek under the tree to gain just a glimpse into the future.
It is also difficult for manufactures to keep secrets. That doesn’t even count the company approved “leaks” of information designed to generate a buzz
Toyota has put out a list of the 2009 FJ Cruiser’s new goodies but no sightings of an actual rig. For those who are debating on a 2009 or 2008 here is the update on what the 2009 will have over the 2008.
For 2009 the FJ Cruiser adds:
- driver and front passenger active headrests
- roll-sensing curtain airbags
- a VSC cut-off switch
- front map light
- driver-side vanity mirror as standard equipment
Three new colors appear for 2009 non-metallic Black, Silver Fresco metallic, and Iceberg White with all-white monochromatic finish. The Iceberg White will be the Toyota Trail Team addition signature color. Toyota is retiring Titanium Metallic.
There are a number of additional upgrade items and you can build your own FJ with all the goodies at Toyota’s FJ Cruiser site.
The base MSRP for the FJ Cruiser will range from $23,320 for the 4×2 V6 with a five-speed automatic transmission to $24,910 for the 4×4 V6 automatic. Toyota says you will also find a TRD and Trail Team version equipped for the challenge. Even in this tight market with high fuel costs, the price of the 2009 FJ Cruiser has increased by $275, or 1.1 percent. I guess that increase covers the cost of the vanity mirror.