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.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John BigBoote 12:24PM (2/13/2006)
Not sure where all the negative criticism is coming from. I think it looks great. I was always a big fan of the ole FJ-40 Land Cruisers rugged looks, but never owned one. I had ridden in them plenty and the ride was rough and with a lot of rattles. I'm sure this will ride a lot smoother and I'm sure Toyota fixed the rust issues to boot. Can't wait to test drive or at least sit in one.
I have however, test driven the H3 and was sorely dissappointed. I could even get past the lack of power, that didn't bother me. My 01 4Runner is more powerful but not much. What bothered me about the H3 was you can't even get a bag of golf clubs in the rear without putting the rear seat down and to do that you have to push the front seats forward. After all that the rear seats do not lie flat! Additionally, you have to reach backwards to operate the power window switches.
The FJ Cruiser looks infinitely more roomy and for 10k less than a fully loaded H3, you're getting Toyota quality not GM crap.
I just thought I'd throw out my H3 observations for comparison's sake.
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J. K. 7:39PM (2/13/2006)
This car was created by Toyota, not as an "every man's/women's" car, but for the true off road/rock crawling enthusiast. Despite the fact the car can be a daily driver, it is also one of the more capable off road SUV's coming out in the market. Toyota has taken every measure to make certain this rig is more capable than most off roaders, and in fact most that have driven it state that "this is Toyota's most capable off road vehicle" (just ask the Ironman Stewart). This speaks volumes, considering this comes from the same family as the Tacoma, 4 Runner, and the world famous Land Cruisers.
I love the lines of this vehicle and its peculiar angles... most of which cannot be appreciated until seen up close. I did not think much of this car until I got to see it up close... but when I did, I knew this was a vehicle I have to have... and I'll have mine in April.
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J. W. De Sario 6:11PM (2/15/2006)
I have a $1000 deposit on the FJ Cruiser. I also own a 2005 4runner/FWD-which my wife drives most of the time.
The FJ is like a 4runner on steroids. The Hummers are supercilious gas guzzlers with poor reliability. The Xterra is a good vehicle, but is not in Toyota's league for dependability, and resale.
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joey lindsey 4:38PM (2/21/2006)
why all the comments comparing it to the forerunner. the fj40 was a true off road beast....classic and tough. thank you toyota for building a vehicle for people who want more than a vehicle to drive on city streets. to some of us out here there still is a difference between a true 4x4 and an suv. i own two 1978 fj40's. i will be one of the first in colorado to own this fj also.
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Evan 11:28AM (3/23/2006)
ok some of you guys are quite frankly out of your mind. I first looked at in and that it was disgusting as well. Until I drove one last night. Its the best SUV to come out for quite a while. the back seat has plenty of leg room, especial compared to a wrangler. it has great power, and great handling. yes it has a blind spot, but if you set your mirrors properly you should never have to turn your head. I now have one on order, and they seem to be selling pretty fast!!
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Dave Haugland 11:13AM (3/26/2006)
I drove one yesterday and it is impressive. This is a good buy for the money but everyone has an opinion. I'm a Harley, BMW, Toyota buyer, what else is there?
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Tom Lindgren 1:02AM (3/27/2006)
It is amazing that so many people are making quick judgments on a vehicle they havn't even driven yet. I was hooked the moment I sat behind the wheel. There is much more room than you might imagine on the interior. It drives like a dream and turns heads everywhere I go! I wouldn't consider giving it up! I bought it within 24 hours of test driving it and have never had so much fun! If ugly turns heads and provides this much enjoyment at the same time, than I am an UGLY LOVER!!
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TG 8:15PM (3/29/2006)
I drove the vehicle. handles very well on tough terrain, much smoother than the Xterra. Those who think it is ugly may continue to drive their Sunbirds or PT Cruisers. the car is cool enuf said. But in this day and age, if we want to hang on the a car like this, they should offer diesel (convertable to bio diesel)or hybrid. This car will be expensive to fuel.
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bill 8:30PM (4/06/2006)
I looked at one in a lot last week; it's not very practical with all the plastic inside (would get scatched up the first time I put firewood in it), kind of small on the inside for all the size on the outside, stupid-expensive side mirrors to replace when you bang them on a tree. This is obviously another city-4x4 like the Hummer, never meant to actually leave the pavement or haul gear. I have a Tacoma, so I like Toyota, but I'll wait for the diesel Tacoma before I trade in (or maybe get the Jeep Gladiator if the wait is too long).
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garrett 10:58PM (4/12/2006)
I own one and have put the rock rails (yes, real iron, not junk), 3" lift kit, and cooper 285's on it. Still waiting on skid plate. Having owned a 1971 FJ40 for 10 years, I will tell you that this vehicle, plastic and all, will go places my old FJ wouldn't dream of. Additionally, it corners quite nicely although I am concerned that at some point it will just flip over as I have not been able to get it to slide. I am impressed and sure enjoy a heater (electric) that actually works and a ride that doesn't beat the 45 year-old kidneys bloody. Yes, I miss the removable top and the visibility isn't great, but it is a lot better than that of the real truck I drive all day. If you can't utilize the wonderful rear view mirrors you shouldn't be on the road anyways.
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Troy Witherington 2:38PM (4/29/2006)
Ok, I don't get the negative comments either, FACT: every FJ here in Alaska is SOLD, my salesman said they sold six in one week and there is a waiting list with $1,000 dollar deposits required to get them. FACT: As I was buying my fusion yellow 6 speed MT, I had to ask the salesman to put a SOLD sign on it to keep folks away. Desptie all the neagatives, this SUV sells. (PERIOD) I can gaurantee this, once you drive it you will want one. I once owned a Land Rover D-90 and when you put the FJ in LL it crawls just like my D-90 did, just like a farm tractor, so before you talk smack on this bad boy put the FACTS and the money in your mouth.
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Matt 1:14PM (6/02/2006)
I took the FJ out for a test drive, both manual and automatic. It drives great, really impressed with the engine, acceleration, low end torque, etc., especially in the automatic. The manual is a 6 speed which can be tiring in traffic and a little herky jerky on city streets because of the smaller power bands and more shifting (but i bet this would be great for true off roaders).
By far the worst thing about this car is how small it is on the inside. I swear my subaru WRX sport wagon has more space with the seats down and by far has better leg room. This is probably the poorest use of interior space in any car i've ever been in. Big disappointment and over all reason i did not purchase it.
Not only that, but the rear site lines from the inside are worse than they look from the ouside. I worked as a valet in highschool and college and am skilled at backing up all kinds of crazy cars, but the FJ was brutal when trying to pull in backwars to a parking spot. I'm sure the sales guy was worried I was gonna scatch the beast.
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matt 1:21PM (6/02/2006)
Oh, and one more beef...a big one...why the hell don't the windows in back at least vent like on the Element. In this thing, my dog would drive me crazy trying to stick his nose out the front windows all the time. Big design f*ck up.
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Tim 11:45PM (10/01/2006)
Why is the roof a different color? Does that make it go faster? The real FJ had some class, but this thing is a joke.
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Frank Falcone 5:35PM (11/12/2006)
I've had the FJ for a month now with no regrets. Some people are missing the point on the FJ's marketing. It's a serious offroader, with that rugged military look thats oh so popular these days...that does a fair job at an everyday commuter, not the other way around.
Dr Phil & Oprah.... Please; get a clue as to what this vehicle is for...!!!
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Olrando Mercado 12:34PM (11/19/2006)
i have been researching on the FJ Cruiser since its launching earlier this year and recently bought one. Its quite a basic SUV with a smooth handling and exceptional off-road capabilities. Its cute and i love it... the same way that people are attracted to the Hummer...
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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