Toyota has provided off-road enthusiasts with a holiday season "sneak peak" of the interior of the upcoming FJ Cruiser.

Designers have carried the tough, straight-forward and functional theme of the exterior into the cabin, melding the spirit of the past with the refinement demanded by today's drivers.

The FJ Cruiser, due for launch in March 2011, pays homage to the LandCruiser FJ40 of the 1960s with an interior that is functional and flexible without resorting to gimmicks.

Its modern touches - such as air-conditioning, an eight-speaker six-CD sound system with Bluetooth™ capability and steering-wheel controls, reversing camera and keyless entry - might have seemed more at home 40 years ago on the futuristic cartoon series The Jetsons.

FJ Cruiser's interior is designed for outdoor recreational activities with a dark colour scheme that camouflages dirt, as well as seat and floor materials that are easy to clean after off-road adventures.

Seat facings are water repellent and provide good ventilation, while a rubber-like floor surface makes it easier to clean.

The retro-inspired dash includes a sophisticated, hand-crafted appearance with a central faceplate that is colour-keyed to the exterior.

The steering wheel and gearshift feature tool-like simplicity, while large door handles, knobs and dials are designed for easy operation - even when wearing gloves.

Normal seating configuration is for five people, but the rear seats can be folded flat and the seat cushions removed to accommodate extra gear.

Toyota Australia's senior executive director sales and marketing David Buttner said FJ Cruiser offers practical features that will resonate with buyers.

"FJ Cruiser is a modern interpretation of a Toyota classic, providing a versatile, flexible and practical interior that complements its rugged exterior," Mr Buttner said.

"It keeps faith with tough and functional roots of the original FJ40, yet interprets that for the 21st century to meet the expectations of a new generation of buyers," he said.

In the United States, the FJ Cruiser has received awards for its quality and its value.

In the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Initial Quality Study, it was rated at the top of the Compact Crossover/SUV segment.

FJ Cruiser was also named best-in-class for mid-size SUVs in the 2010 IntelliChoice.com Best Overall Values of the Year Awards.

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