The 2010 Toyota 4-Runner is packed full of high-tech features designed to enhance comfort, safety, convenience and off-road performance. Where vehicles are concerned, it’s a bit like a Swiss army knife: always handy to have, and useful in a variety of situations. On top of 4-Runner’s selection of off-road doodads and trail-ready hardware, it’s also got an accommodating, family-ready side, too.
The Toyota FJ Cruiser is the multi-talented 4-Runner’s corporate cousin. It's got the same muddy DNA flowing through its veins, though Toyota’s built it for owners with all-terrain capability at the top of their wish-list.
That’s apparent from first glance. FJ Cruiser is one of today’s most easy-to-identify 4x4 models with a look that’s one part original FJ 40, one part Lego truck and one part lunar lander. The retro styling theme is from the same school as rides like the VW Beetle and Chrysler PT Cruiser. It’s a fun, animated and modern-looking take on a classic.
The retro styling hints at the FJ’s approach to weekend adventure. As opposed to electronics and gadgets that do the work for the driver, the focus here is on fun from a simpler time with a more involving, ‘do-it-yourself’ approach.
There’s no computer-supervised Crawl Control or Multi-Mode Terrain Selector on board. This means that guiding the FJ Cruiser down a nasty bit of trail can be a more demanding exercise-- but also a more rewarding one. What it lacks in advanced electronics is made up with ground clearance, approach angles and more aggressive off road tires.
FJ Cruiser is even available with a manual transmission. Some wheelers prefer an automatic, but the six-speed stick remains appealing for those who prefer to shift their own gears.
In the case of the tester, this transmission was bolted to a four wheel drive transfer case with low-range gearing. FJ switches between rear and four wheel drive with a manly tug on a lever, and virtually nothing phases its slow, torque-amplified crawl in 4-LO. While here, even the most menacing terrain passes effortlessly beneath. Patient drivers will find minimal need to fuss over the brakes and throttle.
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| The FJ Cruiser is one of today’s most easy-to-identify 4x4 models. |
The Toyota FJ Cruiser is the multi-talented 4-Runner’s corporate cousin. It's got the same muddy DNA flowing through its veins, though Toyota’s built it for owners with all-terrain capability at the top of their wish-list.
That’s apparent from first glance. FJ Cruiser is one of today’s most easy-to-identify 4x4 models with a look that’s one part original FJ 40, one part Lego truck and one part lunar lander. The retro styling theme is from the same school as rides like the VW Beetle and Chrysler PT Cruiser. It’s a fun, animated and modern-looking take on a classic.
The retro styling hints at the FJ’s approach to weekend adventure. As opposed to electronics and gadgets that do the work for the driver, the focus here is on fun from a simpler time with a more involving, ‘do-it-yourself’ approach.
There’s no computer-supervised Crawl Control or Multi-Mode Terrain Selector on board. This means that guiding the FJ Cruiser down a nasty bit of trail can be a more demanding exercise-- but also a more rewarding one. What it lacks in advanced electronics is made up with ground clearance, approach angles and more aggressive off road tires.
FJ Cruiser is even available with a manual transmission. Some wheelers prefer an automatic, but the six-speed stick remains appealing for those who prefer to shift their own gears.
In the case of the tester, this transmission was bolted to a four wheel drive transfer case with low-range gearing. FJ switches between rear and four wheel drive with a manly tug on a lever, and virtually nothing phases its slow, torque-amplified crawl in 4-LO. While here, even the most menacing terrain passes effortlessly beneath. Patient drivers will find minimal need to fuss over the brakes and throttle.
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| The FJ Cruiser benefits from Toyota’s recently re-worked four-litre V6. |