FJ Cruiser rides on emotion

FJ Cruiser rides on emotion

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Photos by -Autonet.ca
Published: 26 06 2007

Retro vehicles elicit emotional responses and the Toyota FJ Cruiser is no exception — when people first lay eyes on it, they either love it or hate it.

The other emotional response to retro vehicles is that they get people making comparisons to other, usually older vehicles: it looks like a Hummer; it reminds me of the Jeep CJ I had in college; my grandfather had a Land Rover that looked just like that.

That’s not just in the eye of the beholder, since if you look back over military-gauge Jeeps and Land Rovers, they looked a lot alike (round headlights, large upright grille, pronounced fenders outside the bodywork) until they got into mainstream mass production and started developing their unique family styles.

Old roofless military vehicles often had moulded roofs added by manufacturers when they went into production, and this seems to be one of the themes carried into the FJ Cruiser, whose steel roof is painted up to look like it's added on.

To my eyes, it looks pretty stupid; my daughter pointed out that it reminded her of a root beer, with the test vehicle’s deep maroon reminiscent of the liquid and the white top mimicking the foam on top. I guess that’s an emotional reaction, too.

My son constantly referred to the vehicle as a toaster … I don’t think it gets much less emotional than that, but keep in mind he is at that awkward teenage stage.

On the other hand, a toaster is about as singularly utilitarian as it gets. And the FJ Cruiser is singular in purpose as well — off-roading. That is most apparent in the light steering feel and tight turning circle (on most trails, you don’t have the luxury of three-point turns).

Large wheels shod with large-sidewalled, deeply grooved all-terrain tires combine with a long-shocked suspension to create superb off-road ground clearance. The cabin itself is short floor-to-roof to negate the effect of gravity on stability.

Still, the centre of gravity is a long way off the driving surface. And although that’s a good thing for low-speed trail-forging, it’s not so good during city-speed, pot-hole dodging.

The FJ Cruiser exhibits that constant twitchiness as if it were uneasy performing such mundane commuting tasks. It’s something we’ve felt before on off-road-intended vehicles such as the Jeep Wrangler.

In fact, there’s a lot to compare between FJ Cruiser and Wrangler in the way the vehicles are meant to perform, although there is considerably less in the way they are designed.

Whereas Wrangler has tried to fit into everyday driving life (with design decisions such as stretching the wheelbase and adding rear doors), FJ Cruiser seems to almost mock the more-occupant, easier-to-use theme.

Although FJ’s combination of large coupe-like front doors and rear-hinged half-doors behind creates a large side opening, it’s a fairly useless large opening with access to the rear seats difficult at best, even for small children.

The lack of hand grips (which I thought would be a necessity for off-roading), the large step-up and the tight squeeze between the front seats and the metal body work combine to make entry and exit from the rear a chore and a half. Once back there, the door panels are hard to close because they fall away to the side at 90 degrees and, again, there is no pull-handle (falling away from the opening is actually a good description because the panels appear as if they are going to pull away from the bodywork when you unlatch them).

To top it all off, the excessive metal behind the rear openings makes for a serious blindspot for shoulder-checkers.

Apparently a styling exercise gone tragically awry, the FJ Cruiser would be much more utilitarian and friendly were it to have conventional side doors cut back to the rear wheels. Utility is further hampered by a rear seat that doesn’t fold flat to the large cargo area. Some rethinking of rear seat functionality and access, and seat location, in relation to cargo area size would go a long way toward fixing the utility problems.

But that brings up a good question: does Toyota really need another functional SUV to do battle within its current extensive stable? Or, should it create something even more useless as an everyday driver and sell it to the “extreme off-road” crowd?

I don’t have an answer to that since neither really works for me.

Fact File
2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
As tested (before tax): $37,410
Configuration: front engine/4WD sport-ute
Engine/Transmission: 4.0-litre V6/5-speed automatic
Horsepower: 239 @ 5,200 rpm
Torque: 278 lb.-ft. @ 3,800 rpm
Options: C package ($6,420) includes locking rear differential, traction control, in-dash 6-CD changer, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, metallic shift knob, two additional speakers, front side-impact airbags, full side air-curtain airbags, cruise control, clearance and back-up sensors, outside temperature gauge, inclinometer, roof rack, rear wiper/washer, colour-keyed interior door trim, keyless entry; 5-speed automatic ($1,000)
Freight: $1,390
Fuel required: 72 litres, premium
EnerGuide fuel ratings (L/100 km): 13.5 city, 10.2 hwy.
Observed fuel economy (L/100 km): 11.38 over 741.4 km, even combination
Warranty: 3 years/60,000 km

Model price: $29,990
Engines available: 4.0-litre V6
Transmissions available: 6-speed manual; 5-speed auto

Competition: Hummer H3, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Strengths: Good power, tight turning circle, comfortable seats
Weaknesses: Rear seat access, tight seating room, premium fuel requirement

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