Whether fording deep mud or navigating the mall parking lot, the FJ Cruiser is a pleasure to work with thanks in part to a high seating
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| (Photo: Rob Rothwell) |
position. Once underway, I was most impressed with the solidity of the FJ's chassis and the ride quality it produces. There is absolutely no suspension noise or body-shudder to speak of- and that's unusual for a heavy duty 4X4. Toyota's engineers have done a tremendous job of under-pinning the FJ with a very rigid, ladder-style frame onto which they bolted a sophisticated, long-travel suspension setup. The complex arrangement produces a remarkably smooth ride over the worst pavement imaginable. To further refine ride quality and eliminate noise, my tester was shod in quiet-rolling, 17-inch all season rubber. Perhaps it was the absence of tire drone that magnified the groan of the FJ's only available engine, a 4.0 litre, DOHC V6. Noisier than I think it should be, the rugged mill is fortified with Toyota's Variable Valve Timing with intelligence, which contributes to the production of 239 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and a "healthy" 278 pound-feet of torque at 3,800 rpm. Although these figures are good, they're not staggering. As a result, acceleration and passing power just meets my rating of 'above par' for this class of vehicle.
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| (Photo: Rob Rothwell) |
A 6-speed manual gearbox allowed me to make efficient use of the engine's output. Kudos to Toyota for implanting six cogs into the box rather than the more typical five; jeers to Toyota for aligning Reverse too closely to First gear. I often threw the stick into Reverse when searching for First; Reverse is situated to the immediate left of Fist. Toyota probably realized the blunder, as a "beep" warns the driver that Reverse has been engaged. Gear proximity's aside, the extra cog improves highway
fuel economy and low-end pulling power. The FJ is tow-rated at 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs).
Connected to the 6-speed stick is a full-time 4-wheel-drive system featuring low-range gearing. Locking centre and rear differentials are in
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| (Photo: Rob Rothwell) |
place to provide extra traction, classifying the FJ as a true 4X4. When the centre differential is locked, power is distributed 50/50 front to rear. Despite the off-road advantage of the manual transmission setup, many FJ purchasers will undoubtedly seek the convenience of an automatic stick. For them a 5-speed, overdrive-equipped autobox is available. It comes with a part-time 4-whee-drive arrangement featuring low-range gearing and an optional, locking rear differential. Regardless of transmission selection, Toyota's goal is to deliver off-road performance and reliability consistent with that of their legendary line of Land Cruisers. Feedback from journalists who have put the FJ Cruiser through its paces off-road support Toyota's "Land Cruiser" equivalency claim.
The FJ, while not being the best handling SUV out there due to significant body roll during hard cornering, is definitely one of the more capable units
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| (Photo: Rob Rothwell) |
when the pavement ceases to exist. It's a true 4X4 off-roader that has among its many strengths a few weaknesses, such as awkward rear ingress/egress and visibility limitations. It's also, in my view, an odd-looking vehicle. However with excellent approach and departure angles of 34 and 31 degrees respectively, plus a ground clearance of 245-mm (9.6 in), the oddity of its design proves extremely functional. In addition to exhibiting composure on or off the tarmac, the FJ Cruiser is proficient at halting its curb weight of 1,946 kg (4,290 lbs). Its powerful, 4-wheel antilock disc brakes are light to the touch and easy to modulate irrespective of terrain or road surface.
