Review
Introduction
The FJ Cruiser is a retro-themed design that harks back to Toyota’s FJ40 sport-utility vehicle. Sold in the States from 1960 until 1983, the FJ40 was a rugged, bare-bones Jeep-like vehicle that helped build Toyota’s reputation for quality in the United States. Beloved by off-roaders, many FJ40s survive to this day.
In an attempt to capture some of the nostalgia and passion of the old FJ, Toyota created the new FJ Cruiser, which went on sale in 2006. Based on a modified version of the body-on-frame architecture of the Toyota 4Runner SUV, the FJ Cruiser has a plethora of FJ40 styling cues; witness the two round headlights up front, the protruding front fenders, the white top, and the chunky C-pillar. But aside from the retro-themed design, the FJ Cruiser is a fully modern SUV under the skin.
Powering the FJ Cruiser is Toyota’s familiar 4.0-liter V-6, which can be found under the hood of the 4Runner and Tacoma. In the FJ Cruiser, the engine puts out 239 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual and a five-speed automatic are the transmission options. In an odd arrangement, FJ Cruisers with a manual transmission get full-time four-wheel drive, and automatic-equipped models get a simpler part-time four-wheel-drive system or rear-wheel drive. The original FJ40 was known for its off-road prowess, and the FJ Cruiser continues that tradition. Large, off-road-friendly tires; a low range; and good ground clearance with obstacle-clearing approach and departures angles give the FJ Cruiser the ability to keep going when the trail turns ugly.
On the road, the FJ Cruiser shows its truck roots by being slightly noisy and rough-riding. The front seats offer tons of space, but the Tonka-style interior design can look a bit contrived and cheap. Back-seat room is good but not as spacious as one might expect. Rear-seat access is through a small rear-hinged access door. Rear visibility, owing to those huge C-pillars, is dreadful. Fuel economy for the manual model comes in at 15 mpg city and 18 mpg highway; both automatic models (rear drive and four-wheel drive) return 16 in the city and 20 on the highway.
Verdict
The FJ Cruiser offers good value for a Toyota sport-utility at the expense of some refinement. Interior and exterior styling aren’t to everyone’s taste, but those who find the FJ Cruiser’s design appealing will likely look past its on-road warts. There’s the trucklike handling, but the FJ’s 4.0-liter V-6 provides good acceleration. For those looking for an off-road-ready sport-utility vehicle with distinct styling, the gruff FJ Cruiser should prove to be satisfying.
Click here to read our full review of the Toyota FJ Cruiser.
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What’s New for 2008
For 2008, the FJ Cruiser gets standard front-seat-mounted side-impact airbags and roll-sensing curtain airbags that inflate in side-impact collisions or if the vehicle tips over or rolls. An optional Off-Road package is new.
