01/03/2007
By Mike Blake
Carlisle Events
The FJ Cruiser 4x4 SUV doesn’t take a backseat to any off-road vehicle. It can go ANYWHERE. With designing cues from the 1960 FJ40, the Cruiser is all 21st century. The name, “FJ Cruiser” also has its roots in the 1960s. The “F” stands for the F-type engine that replaced the vehicle’s B-type engine of the 1950s. The “J” is for “Jeep, which the original vehicle was likened to 50 years ago. Cruiser is an homage to the Land Cruiser, which was discontinued in the U.S. in 1979 -- Land Cruiser 40 Series production ceased in late 1984.
The FJ Cruiser is trendy, tough and aggressively priced, with a base-ticket of $22,890. This is an off-road vehicle for those who really want to test it to the extreme and for those poseurs who want to talk the talk without having to walk the walk … it LOOKS like it can do the job, and it CAN do the job as well, while looking good doing it.
My test vehicle was decked out in Voodoo Blue, and from its color scheme, to its three windshield wipers, to its powerful 4.0-liter V-6 engine, the FJ Cruiser cruised across town garnering looks from all the generations of onlookers on the street. This is a vehicle for all seasons and all generations.
From a power perspective, the 6-speed manual, mated to the 239-hp. V-8, was plenty to blast the sturdy 4290-lb. SUV from zero to 60mph in 7.5 seconds. This truck-based 4x4 used its 278 lbs.-ft. of torque and ran down the quarter-mile in 16.5 seconds. Premium gasoline will get you an average of about 18mpg, and the EPA rating is 16/city and 19/highway.
On the street, this is one sweet cruiser. Off-road, I challenged this rugged beauty on severe trails at the Split Rock Resort in the Poconos, as part of the International Motor Press Association test days, and the FJ didn’t flinch. It handled every test. Together, we finessed the obstacles that needed a gentle touch and powered out of the crevices that demanded aggressiveness. This is an SUV 4x4 that can really take you places. With a maximum ground clearance of 9.6 inches, the 183.9-inch long, 74.6-inch wide and 71.6-inch high truck can take punishment and get you though the toughest of courses. And it can even tow a 5,000-lb. trailer.
But the wider appeal of the FJ is its luxury appeal. Though thoughtfully priced at only $27,574 (options listed below), my test vehicle was luxurious in so many fashions.
The cabin is spacious, with lots of headroom (41.3 inches up front, 40.3 behind), legroom (41.9 inches front and 31.3 inches rear) and cargo volume: 66.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 27.9 cubic feet behind the second row.
To conserve cargo space, the spare tire is outside on the rear gate. The 32-inch tire in the rear of the car DOES interfere slightly with rear view, but the tire, as if it were a Continental kit, is so easy to get to in an emergency that it more than makes up for any sightline deficiencies.
The FJ Cruiser 4x4 is outfitted with a world of standard items. In addition to the engine and manual transmission, you get a full-time 4x4 system, Torsen center differential, variable gear power steering, and the full-size spare.
Exterior accoutrements include black overfenders, black bumpers with silver tone highlights, skid plates (engine, transfer case and fuel), silver tone door handles and mirrors, mud guards and a white roof with three tow hooks.
Comfort and convenience Toyota-style comes standard with 8-way adjustable drivers seat, water-repellent seats, 60/40 split second row seats with removable bottom cushion, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system, power windows and door locks, tilt urethane steering wheel, four cup holders with two bottle holders, rear defogger and rear cargo tie-down hooks.
Safety is attended to with such standard items as driver and front passenger air bags, the star safety system of vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brake system with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, 3-piece seat belts in all locations and tethers and anchors.
With all that as standard, there were only a few options on my test unit. One was a convenience package for $1840 that includes remote keyless entry, cruise control, power outside mirror with image light, rear parking sonar and rear wiper. A $650 add-on was 17-inch alloy wheels covered in P265/70R/17 Dunlop AT20s.
A second convenience package added $1167 to the sticker. It included a roof rack, towing hitch, wire harness and spare tire cover. The preferred accessory package put another $422 on the cost, and included all-weather mats, cargo mat, rear door storage, first aid kit and armrest. The final $605 that made the final ticket price $27,574, is attributed to delivery, processing and handling (destination fee).
For those serious off-roaders, or those who want a hip SUV at an affordable price, the FJ Cruiser would seem to fill the bill.
Visit www.carlisleevents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
MIKE BLAKE, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.
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