First of all, let me fall on my sword by saying that despite my previous comments regarding the FJ’s weird retro-appearance, the ugly ducking has grown on me like a stray mutt that relies upon personality to earn Milk Bones rather than looks.
2010 brings more oomph for less nectar
In the tradition of the classic FJ40 Landcruiser, today’s FJ Cruiser is serious about its off-road ability. Toyota has put all they’ve learned about conquering formidable terrain into the mid-size moderately priced FJ, and for 2010 they’ve included more power and greater fuel efficiency.
The same 4.0-litre DOHC V6 engine powers the FJ but it now benefits from Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence and new roller rockers. Output is now rated at 259 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm and 270 pound-feet of torque @ 4,400 rpm.
Complementing the enhanced fortitude is improved fuel efficiency, which is now slated at 12.5L/100km of city driving and 9.6L/100km during highway operation when equipped with the 5-speed automatic transmission.
Surprisingly, when equipped with the 6-speed manual gearbox, the FJ isn’t as frugal. It’s cited at 13.7L and 10.3L/100km city and highway driving respectively—and that’s somewhat counter-intuitive to all we know about fuel efficiency and manual transmissions.
Regardless of its varying appetite for fuel, the engine supplies plenty of real world low-end performance; it seldom needs to break a sweat to keep the FJ in the flow.
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| Today’s FJ Cruiser is serious about its off-road ability. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |
2010 brings more oomph for less nectar
In the tradition of the classic FJ40 Landcruiser, today’s FJ Cruiser is serious about its off-road ability. Toyota has put all they’ve learned about conquering formidable terrain into the mid-size moderately priced FJ, and for 2010 they’ve included more power and greater fuel efficiency.
The same 4.0-litre DOHC V6 engine powers the FJ but it now benefits from Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence and new roller rockers. Output is now rated at 259 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm and 270 pound-feet of torque @ 4,400 rpm.
Complementing the enhanced fortitude is improved fuel efficiency, which is now slated at 12.5L/100km of city driving and 9.6L/100km during highway operation when equipped with the 5-speed automatic transmission.
Surprisingly, when equipped with the 6-speed manual gearbox, the FJ isn’t as frugal. It’s cited at 13.7L and 10.3L/100km city and highway driving respectively—and that’s somewhat counter-intuitive to all we know about fuel efficiency and manual transmissions.
Regardless of its varying appetite for fuel, the engine supplies plenty of real world low-end performance; it seldom needs to break a sweat to keep the FJ in the flow.
 |
| Regardless of its varying appetite for fuel, the engine supplies plenty of real world low-end performance. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |