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| Some vehicles are worth driving more than once... (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
There are some vehicles that leave a lasting impression in my mind, and then there are some that don't. So, when I get the chance to drive those cars that leave that lasting impression more than once, which doesn't happen all too often, it's a pretty awesome feeling. Some will be able to relate to me for sure, on those occasions when you go to a dealership, test out the car you have your heart set on and then leave without the car, only to return and test it again. You only come back for the really good ones, and the ones worth driving twice are usually the ones worth buying.
For me, the new FJ Cruiser is one of those vehicles. It evoked emotions that ranged from giddy schoolgirl one minute to dominatrix the next, when we first met last year. I looked forward to getting up everyday and walking to my parking spot, all the while thinking to myself, "This is one great ride."
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| It's hard to be unbiased when you're in love. (Photo: Alexandra's friend, Canadian Auto Press) |
My second round with the FJ was probably just as fulfilling, if not more so than my first. I'll tell you why. First, I just love the colour. It's bold. It's beautiful. It's Voodoo Blue and it's totally cool. Mixing Toyota's 'Vibrant Clarity' design language with a healthy dose of Land Cruiser past, it pulls eyeballs from their sockets wherever it rolls up. Not only is it rough and tough looking, but it literally is rough and tough due to an exoskeleton comprised of high tensile steel sheets and rust-resistant steel panels, brake-hardened panels on the hood, fender and front doors.
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| Smaller people fit better in the rear seats. (Photo: Alexandra's friend, Canadian Auto Press) |
The Cruiser's mix of Vibrant Clarity and retro history is not only seen on the outside but felt on the inside. The spacious cabin boasts a fair amount of people room, especially up front. Just ask my friend Dan who, at 6'7", sat comfortably for a six hour plus trip from Vancouver to Seattle and back with two girls and some luggage in back, also known as handbags. Sitting in the front, headroom was not a problem because the arched roof gives a little more in the height department. He also had ample room to move his amply sized feet around. As for me, the driver, I pulled my warm cloth upholstered seat forward and was snug as a bug. Natalie, my roommate, was stuck in the back seat, but wasn't too fazed since she managed to snooze comfortably for the majority of the trip. Taller rear passengers will probably find the rear a bit too snug, as the seats are a bit abbreviated and the legroom a touch on the tight side.
Underneath, a very stable front double wishbone suspension system joins a four-link setup in the rear, and when combined with Toyota's spirited 24-valve, DOHC, 4.0-litre V6 with Variable Valve Timing (and intelligence), making 239 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 278 lb-ft of torque at 3, 800 rpm, it's nonstop fun on four wheels (or two or three depending on how much fun you're having -- Ed.). It's a great cruising car on the highway as well as city streets, and since the FJ's underpinnings are shared with the very capable 4Runner it can handle most anything off pavement. My test model came with the optional automatic transmission with overdrive, featuring a gate type shifter at one end and a lock-up torque converter at the other. The autobox also comes with a part-time 4WD system (the five-speed manual gets a full-time 4WD system) complete with a two-speed transfer case and an Automatic Disconnecting Differential. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Shift Control is also part of the package. Translation? According to Toyota, "this system automatically varies the transmission's shifting pattern, optimizing up-and-down shifts according to road conditions and driver intent."
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| Lots of room for gear. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
I couldn't help but enjoy the automatic, especially since I find myself doing most of my driving in the city. That's not to say the five-speed manual wouldn't do the job in stop-and-go traffic, mind you, but it's a lot more effort. Furthermore, if I had the opportunity to go off-roading, I would opt for the auto tranny since I am still a beginner and the fewer things I have to think about, the better. Even some seasoned off-roaders prefer automatics so that they can left-foot-brake while modulating the throttle with the right, so I suppose it's not just for beginners.
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| Big spare on the back looks cool, but makes for a heavy door. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
The slew of standard features laced on my temporary top-of-the-line FJ made my daytrip and week that much better. First off, cruise control. It's a great feature, not necessarily for the city but was especially useful during all the highway driving I did. Second, the stereo system. It's great. And when I turned the car the head unit's display screen reads "FJammer" -- just one of those quirky little details that I love. My passengers also took a liking to it and jokingly said, "How many FJammers would you give this stereo out of 10?" Needless to say that it became a rating scale for my entire test week... "How many FJammers out of 10?" I would give it 9 FJammers because it's the world's first audio system that incorporates the entire headliner of the vehicle as part of the speaker system, also known as the "Sound Shower." It's a pretty interesting idea and the sound quality is great.
Aside from the FJammin' stereo, the Cruiser comes with four-wheel disc brakes including ABS and EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution), vehicle stability control and traction control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with built-in audio controls, a multi-information display; outside temperature gauge, compass and inclinometer, front and rear head/side curtain airbags, air conditioning, P265/70R17 all season tires with 17" aluminum alloy wheels equipped with wheel locks, and the list goes on.
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| Clamshell doors are trendy, but getting in and out in crowded parking lots can be frustrating. (Photo: Alexandra's friend, Canadian Auto Press) |
Another item on the list of features is the back-up sonar, or better known as 'park assist'. While, the FJ is robust in frame and body it's quite easy to park. Granted, its blind spots are, well, blinding, but backing up and parallel parking is a little easier because of the beep that goes off when getting close to another vehicle or obstacle behind.
And when parallel parking, I had to leave ample room behind in order to open the rear cargo door. That's one of the FJ's not-so-Jammin' features. The heavy tailgate doesn't open up, but out. Luckily it opens away from the sidewalk, and not towards as is often the case with this type of setup. The inconvenience of the fifth door mechanism didn't stop me from packing the cargo area full of junk. I kick-started my week with a trip to Costco and loaded up the back with groceries. It only seemed fitting to put all that space to good use, right? When loading all of the bags into the back I couldn't help but appreciate the resin flooring. It makes cleaning up spills or messes much easier, speaking from experience, and looks decent too.
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| All round, this is a great SUV. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
On the other hand, a not-so-decent aspect of the Cruiser is its fuel economy. I give it 6.5 potential FJammers out of 10. I started off the week with three quarters of a tank and got a mere 260 km of city driving done before the little orange light next to the gas gauge flickered on and told me I needed to fill up, and fast. Highway driving, on the other hand, was better. My trip to Seattle and back only cost me the same three quarters of a tank, and we traveled over 450 kilometers. I'm not good with mathematical equations, so I'll leave you to figure out how well it did. Let's just agree that the end result probably won't be as rosy as the EnerGuide estimated fuel consumption at 13.6 L/100 km in the city and 10.3 L/100 km on the highway.
Overall, I still think that the new FJ Cruiser is great, and give it 9 FJammers out of 10. It's rough and tough, but refined at the same time. Did I also point out how cool looking it is? Not to mention my boyfriend and friends loved having it around. And chances are if the FJ is the vehicle you have your heart set on, you will too.
Specifications:
- Price Range (MSRP): $29,990 -- $37,260
- Body Type: five-door SUV, ladder-frame
- Layout: front engine, 4WD
- Engine: 239-hp, 278 lb-ft of torque, 4.0L, 24-valve, DOHC V6
- Transmission: 6-spd manual (optional 5-spd auto)
- Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS, EBD, BA
- Curb Weight (Automatic): 1,948 (4,295)
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Cargo Volume (behind 2nd row/1st row): 790 / 1,890 L (27.9 / 66.8 cu ft)
- Payload: 601 kg (1,325 lbs)
- Exterior Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 4,670 / 1,905 / 1,830 / 2,690 mm (183.9 / 75.0 / 72.0 / 105.9 in)
- Tires: P265/70R17
- Ground Clearance: 245 mm (9.6 in)
- Towing Capacity: 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs)
- Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 13.6 / 10.3 L/100 km (6-spd manual)
- Warranty (mo/km): 36/60,000 comprehensive - 60/100,000 powertrain
- Direct Competitors: Hummer H3, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited / Liberty, Kia Sorento, Nissan Xterra
- Web Site: www.toyota.ca
