2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser Review | Buyer Guide
Macho FJ Cruiser Shines Off-Road, But Hard To Live With
When I drove the FJ Cruiser at the press introduction, I wondered what on earth possessed Toyota to build this vehicle. Everybody knew in November 2005 that the public’s taste in SUVs had changed. Rugged, off-road sport/utilities were out, and civilized car-based models, like Toyota’s Highlander, were the new big thing.
Yet, the honchos at Toyota thought that a tough, go-anywhere vehicle could still be successful, that is, if it resembled their legendary FJ40 Land Cruiser—and if it was priced right. They based their judgement on the success of the FJ Cruiser concept car at the 2003 Detroit auto show. Guys, especially young single guys, loved it.
As it’s turns out, Toyota’s decision proved right. The FJ Cruiser has been a hit. In fact, they sold more FJs (56,000) in 2006 than they expected, and they are on track to sell even more this year.
One reason for its success is that the FJ’s styling passes the macho test with flying colors. It attracts males of all stripes. A group of guys were out looking over my test vehicle, almost as soon as I parked it in front of my house. The old-time FJ40 styling cues, like a flat grille, anchored by round headlights, still resonate with buyers.
However, the FJ Cruiser is a classic example of style triumphing over ergonomics. This SUV is hard to see out of. The narrow windshield and the high mounted dash eliminates your view of the front end of the vehicle. The rear view is even worse. The glass back there is also narrow and partially obscured by an externally mounted spare tire. Add to that wide, 22-inch rear pillars, and you might as well be blind backing out of a parking space.
Another not so great feature is the concealed rear doors. These doors are only 21-inches wide; open forward, suicide-style and can only be used when the front doors are open. Accessing the back seat requires some agility, and the legroom once inside, is pretty cramped.
Toyota powers the FJ with its tried-and-true 4.0-liter V-6 that’s also used in the 4Runner and Tundra. It delivers 239 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. Teamed with the V-6 is a choice of a six-sped manual gearbox or a five-speed automatic transmission. The FJ is also available with two-wheel drive or as a 4X4. Most buyers are expected to go the four-wheel-drive route.
Toyota says that the FJ is targeted to the youthful buyer, whose favorite pastime is off-road driving. The FJ certainly has all the right stuff for driving in the boonies. There’s a low-range transfer case you can engage when slogging through mud. It has short overhangs, front and rear, so that you don’t get hung up in gullies. There are also skid plates on the bottom to keep your underside from being torn up. And there is sufficient clearance underneath to ford a stream 27.5-inches deep. Both Autoweek and Car and Driver found the FJ Cruiser to be a competent off-roader.
However, even off-road enthusiasts have to drive on hard pavement some of the time. The qualities that make the FJ a good off-road vehicle, like a high (9.6-inch) road clearance, make it less than ideal on the street. This SUV is slow to respond to driver inputs. The steering is vague—the body leans heavily on sharp turns, and the wheels want to run wide when cornering. The ride quality isn’t so hot either. The FJ feels nervous on city streets, telegraphing every small bump in the road. On badly patched roads, it will really dance. If you are wedded to car-like handling and ride, this is not your vehicle. However, if its look and off-road capability appeal to you, the FJ is reasonably priced. The 2WD starts at $22,755. The 4X4 begins at $23,935.
Snapshot Review
Macho Styling
Competent Off-Roader
Clumsy On Road
Nervous Ride
Specifications
Base Price $22,755
Engine 4.0-ltr, DOHC, V-6
Horsepower 239
Transmission 6-sp manual, 5-sp auto
Brakes disc, ABS
Gas Mileage 17-21 mpg
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