Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Time Warp, SUVs, Trucks/Pickups
Detroit Auto Show Wrapup: Toyota FJ Cruiser hands-on impressions
Although you've seen the full spate of specs and some pricing guidance here before, this was Autoblog's first chance to get our mitts on the production-spec Toyota FJ Cruiser, so we took full advantage of the opportunity.
First impressions? While not a classically handsome exterior, this is certainly a head-turner, and should do well in a marketplace starved for character-rich "small" hardcore SUVs. At once profoundly aware of its lineage, yet not a wholesale copy, the FJ is a likeable mess of curves and angles. The smallish grille with inboard round headlamps give it an expressive face (not unlike a mountain man with small wire-rimmed spectacles) as do the protruding -- if gigantic, turn signals. In profile, strong elements like the rectilinear wheel openings, oversized door handles and thick-framed mirrors lend additional presence to an intrinsically beefy design (you could hide half the Tour de France behind that c-pillar). Out back, a plastic spare-tire cover with tire-tread relief looks to further abbreviate what can only already be described as daunting rear visibility.
[more impressions and photos after the jump]
Inside, many of the original FJ Cruiser's lovely alloy bits have since been downgraded to plastic, as might reasonably be expected when a vehicle has to be mass-produced and built to a price). The resins in question aren't really up to Toyota's usual standards, but it somehow seems appropriately coarse in a rough-and-tumble SUV. The bluff-faced dashboard is a little jarring in body-color (at least as here on this yellow FJ), and the switchgear lacks the brand's traditional polish in execution and operation, but again, that hasn't hurt sales of likely cross-shops like the Nissan Xterra and Jeep Wrangler. Rear seat access is a challenge even with the rear demi-doors, and it's seriously dark back there, a byproduct of the chopped roofline and hefty pillars.
Visibility vacillations and problematic polymers aside, if the driveline is half as good as we imagine (and if Toyota dealers can resist the temptation to pad the FJ's Monroneys), the automaker should have a blockbuster on its hands among the young and the young-at-heart.
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Peter 11:09AM (1/17/2006)
"if Toyota dealers can resist the temptation to pad the FJ's Monroneys"
Unfortunately, that's a very big if. I would not be at all surprised to see some wicked price-gouging.
Reply
Duane 11:35AM (1/17/2006)
Hmmm....funny how when domestics cheap on interior plastic it is seen as cheaping out on interior plastic. But, when All Mighty Toyota does it, it "somehow seems appropriately coarse in a rough-and-tumble SUV". But thanks for the review.
Reply
mooseman 12:02PM (1/17/2006)
No.2 posts:
Exactly. It looks crap. And the c-pillar is bound to be horribe in tight spots off road. Yes, sometmes you do have to use R. The FJ looks like what it is, a Scion Pseudo Wrangler with all of the downsides of the Wrangler, including adding some new ones like the c-pillar, and few of the upsides, like the removable roof.
With a 4-door Wrangler and a Wrangler PU on the way, the FJ looks to be little match for the Jeep Wrangler line, though I'm sure Toyota sychophants will disagree.
I'm sure it well sell, though.
Reply
Matt 12:27PM (1/17/2006)
Anybody notice that the dash aside from the yellow looks like something out of an S10 from the early 90's?
Reply
Jason 12:34PM (1/17/2006)
This thing looks like it was designed by DeWalt...it has more design cues from power tools then it does from 4x4's. I'm sure it's useful and fun to drive, but it looks like a fugly radio-controlled toy.
Reply
mj 12:37PM (1/17/2006)
U-G-L-Y, you ain't got no alibi, you're UGLY!, UGLY!
Reply
Jason BIrd 12:43PM (1/17/2006)
#2 When the domestics "cheap out" on a Luxury car, i.e. Cadillac, Lincoln, and Chrysler, there is no excuse. The difference between the interior quality of my '98 Continental and any new Lincoln is huge. I think that it's reasonable to cut content on a cheap car. But, if I'm dropping 40-60 large, I expect to feel quality when I get inside.
Toyota expects to price this in the 20-25K range. As long as the hardware works like a Toyota, it will sell like mad, plastic trim and all.
#3 Jeep continues to push the pricing envelope with the Wrangler. I can't imagine the 4 door for less than $30K.
Reply
Doogs 12:53PM (1/17/2006)
So if they offer a diesel version, will they call it the BJ Cruiser?
Reply
emulous1974 1:04PM (1/17/2006)
For some reason it speaks to me, and I like it alot. Then again, I really liked the Honda Element and ended up buying one when I could finally find one with side airbags and manual tranny.
The Elements interior is not up to Honda standards either, but it's fitting to the vehicle. There's a big difference in not having your interiors up to snuff for a quasi-luxury vehicle, then something that is meant for ultimate utility or off-road prowess (or wanna-be as the case may be).
If I look at the FJ as an Element with the off-road nature of my Ranger FX4 L2, then I only use some of the practicality of the Element. Thank goodness I'm not in the market this year to replace the Element, cause this would be on the list, despite some of it's short comings. The only other SUV type vehicle that has ever gotten on the list is the Land Rover LR3, and there's no way I can afford one of those.
Reply
mooseman 1:28PM (1/17/2006)
No. 8:
The new Freelander should share much of the look as the LR3, but for considerably less. You may have a shot afterall.
:)
Reply
Nick 1:51PM (1/17/2006)
I still can't believe they made such a ridiculously huge blind spot in a car that most people are going to use to commute. I looked at a bunch of old FJ40 pics, thinking that it's some retro homage thing, but no, it is arbitrary and plain ugly. Otherwise, I respect the FJ, but what's the deal with making full time 4wd only available on the manual transmission?
Reply
Toyota FJ Cruiser 2:12PM (1/17/2006)
The FJ Cruiser is the most exciting SUV to come out for a while. Its such a departure from the norm, I'm glad Toyota had the guts to produce it true to concept form.
If you are interested in the FJ Cruiser, be sure to check out:
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com
Reply
Doogs 3:24PM (1/17/2006)
I can't believe it. We've made it a whole twelve comments without the obligatory "by far its biggest problem is putting the spare tire on the back / nothing should extend beyond the rear bumper / spare tires extending beyond the rear bumper cause inordinate damage in an accident" post...
Reply
Sheniferous 5:39PM (1/17/2006)
All I have to say is... that backseat is fit for midget quadralegics with no legs.
Reply
Bruce 8:13PM (1/17/2006)
Just as I expected, the "$25,000 affordable ute" will creep close to $30K out the door. Which, after you realize that 4runners are selling for deep discounts with rebates, and this one will sell at MSRP or above for a while, you will get the dubious priviledge of buying a smaller, less practical, less well equipped vehicle for about the same (or higher) price as a 4runner.
I guess that's the price you pay to look cute.
Reply
Mike from Scarborough 9:59PM (1/17/2006)
Toyota is due for another flop ( every 6 years or so ), it is butt ugly, people like Opra and Dr. Phil will buy it.
Reply
lastride147 12:13AM (1/18/2006)
Wait......wait,wait...when did the Hummer H4 come out?
Reply
JarryHames 11:50AM (1/19/2006)
Oprah and Dr. Phil? WTF? Like they would even consider a Toyota. Anyway...this vehicle looked better as a concept. When has Toyota been known for making attractive SUVs anyway? They've gotten away with great versions of the Land Cruiser and the previous generation 4Runner. For the most part, their cars get uglier with each production model. This car doesn't get a free pass. It is also butt f-ugly! I am sure that it will be a huge hit with American consumers. We're not known for great taste and Toyota has made lots of money based on that fact. I would consider an Element or the all new Xterra for my kid.
Reply
jack Ryan 1:32PM (1/19/2006)
I see they've silently switched the tires from the BFG All Terrian to the cheap Dunlop passger tires
Reply
errol wilson 1:08AM (1/22/2006)
i will be one of the first customers, this vehicle is not cute but it is definately attention grabbingand radical, i guess they were thinking of nonconformists like me when they came up with the concept.
Reply