Who makes the best Truck? |
| (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
Notice that the word is inscribed with a capital "T" in the subtitle. A truck is essentially supposed to be a tool, a means to get somewhere regardless of the conditions (almost). Many know that the Willis "Jeep" is the originator of the category that began over sixty years ago. In the following decades, GM, Ford, Chrysler all had a version of a Truck, pickup or otherwise. Other makes like International were also offering these tools for those that required a no-compromise vehicle. While this was going on in North America, manufacturers like Suzuki, Land Rover and Toyota were also retailing Trucks for both the common folk and, in the last two cases, for their country's army.
The FJ Cruiser is inspired by one of the most famous renditions of the
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| (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
fabled Land Cruiser: the 1960s FJ40. Although the FJ Cruiser shares more with the 4Runner in terms of underpinnings and powertrain, the
2007 FJ Cruiser borrows the front-end treatment and overall styling from its ancestor. This signature light and grille setup immediately link the new with the old. The practice of displaying heritage, however young or old, is very common in this segment; think of the 7 vertical slit Jeep grille or of Hummer.
Is it a Hummer? This is the question that I faced on no less than 13 occasions while cruising around in my Cruiser for the week. The answer "It is a Toyota" would always catch the inquiring mind off guard. The brief discussion
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| (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
always ended with "Nice Truck!" and a thumbs-up. This, in turn, raised a few questions in my mind. In my mainly urban setting, I pondered the fact that if the FJ was constantly mistaken for a Hummer, it is because Hummers spend the near totality of their time on a beaten path. Unfortunately, for comparison purposes, no one recognized the FJ's Land Cruiser lineage. Could that be because the few that remain are never found on a tarmac-type road? One thing that is certain, everyone agrees that the FJ Cruiser is one heck of a looker.
Too good?I unfortunately did not have the opportunity to put the Cruiser through its paces. I regret this especially as a small portion of my being vividly remembers my off-roading days with a friend and his Suzuki Samurai and the great fun we had. As far as the FJ is concerned, it need not to prove
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| (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
itself. We were given the opportunity the test the Toyota Truck at its inaugural launch in situations for which it was designed and it passed with flying colors.
On the road however, the FJ Cruiser defies logic. Here we have a Truck that sports approach and departure angles of 34 and 31 degrees respectively, humongous P265/70R17 tires and 9.6 inches of ground clearance and is nearly as docile as a sleeping baby to drive. The suspension is primarily designed for rock-climbing but you would never know it as the FJ is stable and very comfortable at highway speeds. Though, a series of undulations will sternly upset the Truck's poise and its occupants. Steering is precise although the turning radius is huge.
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| (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
Toyota's 4.0L V6 is a great workhorse. It will not tear-up pavement like Nissan's 4.0L, nevertheless it hauls the Cruiser's 1,948 kg with certain ease. What is better than a solid performing engine? Excellent brakes! Pedal response is immediate and unlike other Toyota's, it is firm and easy to modulate. The FJ Cruiser is a no-compromise 4X4 that actually rides and drives as well as many soft-roader SUVs.
Fuel consumption is high. I averaged 16L per 100 km over 650 km.
