A cabin to remember
Climbing aboard the FJ is literally the best way to put it. The rear suicide-door configuration helps enormously for passengers to access the rear split-folding bench. Other than the absence of a center armrest, the hindmost occupants are treated to much more room and comfort than expected. Up front, leg, shoulder and headroom are aplenty. The layout of
the dashboard is plain, simple and functional. My base model tester featured twice as many block-off plates or dummy buttons as there were actual controls to tinker with. Because of the dash's large flat shape, there is an extensive use of plastics that can become a little overbearing. On the other hand, the fit and finish is very good. The cloth material that covers the seats is well suited to the truck; it seems robust and durable. The front buckets are themselves comfortable and sufficiently supportive for a long trip.
The totality of the floor of the interior is covered with a resistant plastic that can easily be washed down. The cargo area features a number of tie-down hooks and a few storage bins. The door to the trunk, which carries the spare, opens the right way, i.e.: away from the curb. From the driver's viewpoint, visibility is severely hampered by the presence of the spare, the high beltline and the small quarter windows. The upside is that it is impossible to scuff a wheel as the tire sidewalls are huge...
This is a bargain
Since the populace has indirectly identified the Hummer as being the target of the FJ Cruiser, let us compare them side by side. With a base price of $29,990, the Toyota undercuts the 2006 H3 by $10,005. Here are the advantages to the FJ Cruiser: Its engine, compared to the 2007 H3 (3.7L I-5) is down 3 hp but up 36 lbs of torque (242 / 239 and 242 / 278). The FJ has one extra gear per transmission (6M / 5A), has 17" wheels and
a rear locking differential out of the box. The H3 however, has a longer list of standard convenience features such as cruise control, power side-view mirrors, fog lights and a rear wiper. For a $3,450 supplement, these items can be added, save for the extra front lights, to the FJ by selecting the optional "B" Package.
In the rough-stuff is where the men are separated from the boys. There is no doubt that the H3 can tackle some of the worst situations, as can the FJ Cruiser. A head to head combat would be very interesting. In my mind, having been a Truck guy for a short period of time, I would imagine that the diehard fans of the off-roading sport would spend the extra money on tires, a suspension lift and a winch and still have some left over. The Jeep Wrangler compares favourably price-wise although it falls very short on the refinement level. It really looks as though Toyota has done it again.
Good stuff:
V6 engine
Looks and design
Not so good stuff:
Fuel consumption
Competitors:
Hummer H3
Nissan Xterra
Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Liberty
Climbing aboard the FJ is literally the best way to put it. The rear suicide-door configuration helps enormously for passengers to access the rear split-folding bench. Other than the absence of a center armrest, the hindmost occupants are treated to much more room and comfort than expected. Up front, leg, shoulder and headroom are aplenty. The layout of
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| (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
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| (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
This is a bargain
Since the populace has indirectly identified the Hummer as being the target of the FJ Cruiser, let us compare them side by side. With a base price of $29,990, the Toyota undercuts the 2006 H3 by $10,005. Here are the advantages to the FJ Cruiser: Its engine, compared to the 2007 H3 (3.7L I-5) is down 3 hp but up 36 lbs of torque (242 / 239 and 242 / 278). The FJ has one extra gear per transmission (6M / 5A), has 17" wheels and
 |
| (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
In the rough-stuff is where the men are separated from the boys. There is no doubt that the H3 can tackle some of the worst situations, as can the FJ Cruiser. A head to head combat would be very interesting. In my mind, having been a Truck guy for a short period of time, I would imagine that the diehard fans of the off-roading sport would spend the extra money on tires, a suspension lift and a winch and still have some left over. The Jeep Wrangler compares favourably price-wise although it falls very short on the refinement level. It really looks as though Toyota has done it again.
Good stuff:
 |
| (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
V6 engine
Looks and design
Not so good stuff:
Fuel consumption
Competitors:
Hummer H3
Nissan Xterra
Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Liberty
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