2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser Review

Specifications

Does it Live Up to Its FJ Pedigree?

Toyota unveiled its first retro vehicle this week at the Chicago Auto Show, but while pulling forward design cues from one of the most recognized SUVs of all time, the legendary Land Cruiser FJ40, the new four-wheeler offers a lot of modern attributes.

But the question that remains with 4×4 enthusiasts is whether the new FJ Cruiser will merely benefit from the original FJ40s good name for off-road prowess, or if it will also be capable off the beaten path?

To get the basic gist of just what the FJ Cruiser needs to live up to in order to satisfy such diehard Land Cruiser fans, its important to take a look down memory lane, or should I say memory logging road, at the vehicle that inspired the new design.

Toyotas short wheelbase Jeep-like FJ all-terrain vehicle sold from late 1958 until production ended in 1983. Initially the Land Cruiser was Japans military conveyance, over-engineered to provide punishing service no matter the job at hand. Except for a tendency to attract rust, it was virtually unstoppable.

The new FJ should be tough to beat off-road as well, due to its 4Runner SUV undercarriage and entry-model drivetrain, which is fittingly based on the Land Cruiser Prado SUV available in other markets. Thats right. This new FJ is no poser. It will run with the best of the FJ40s and BJ70s, the short-wheelbase Land Cruiser that followed, while being miles more civilized about the job at hand.

The concept and production model, which hardly differ externally, were designed at Newport Beach, Californias Calty Design Research, Toyotas North American design center, is targeting a younger market than what currently makes up the majority of the brands sales.

“The FJ Cruiser effectively fills a gap in the Toyota lineup which was once our core heritage - capable, affordable and durable vehicles that are youthful, fun-to-drive, aggressive and tough,” commented Don Esmond, senior vice president and general manager, Toyota Division, who introduced the production in Chicago. “The FJ Cruiser will deliver true off-road ruggedness, image and performance at a very low price, making it highly accessible for a large volume of young buyers.”

How important is this niche player in Toyotas overall plans? It could play a critical role in fact, at least according to a comment made by Esmond.

“We think this is the formula to move forward and draw buyers attracted to Scion into the Toyota brand,” he stated.

Of course, the reality that a great many new Scion owners are retirees, attracted to the boxy xB because of its thrifty entry price, excellent fuel economy and impressive functionality, might dilute Esmonds statement, the fact is that those Scion customers who are younger, and there are many, should find the new FJ Cruiser an enticing prospect.

That youth market is important for Toyota, as traditionally when children become adults they tend to purchase different brands than their parents. Such was the reason behind Toyotas Scion brand in the first place, a nameplate that also features the xA compact hatchback and tC sports coupe, none at all similar to Toyotas best-selling Camry sedan or Sienna minivan.

“It is important for Toyota to raise the emotional pulse of the emerging youth market,” stated Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. COO Jim Press during the concepts launch back in 2003.

While the FJs packaging will most likely raise the “emotional pulse” of the youth market, its the 4.0-liter V6 pulled from the 4Runner and new Tacoma pickup truck that will keep the love alive. It generates a soul stirring 245 horsepower and 282 lb-ft. of torque, ample to move this compact SUV to highway speeds and beyond in short order. The engine is joined to a standard five-speed automatic transmission, whether the truck is optimized with 4×2 and 4×4 drivelines, while a six-speed manual is optional on 4×4 models.

Unfortunately the FJ Concepts Toyota Racing Development (TRD) supercharger wont be part of any stock package, but given some time something similar should become available through dealers as an upgrade.

Initially I expected the Tacomas 2.7L 4-cylinder, making 164-horsepower and 183 lb-ft of torque, to be the standard engine, but this doesnt seem to be the case, at least not at first. There is also no mention of a diesel powertrain option - something later versions of the FJ40 and all years of BJ70s offered. Diesel power would make sense as an alternative, however, being that the brands 4×4 loyalists would flock to the FJ Cruiser if offered. Toyota may want to take a cue from the FJs key rival, Jeep, which made a turbodiesel Liberty available this year and has correspondingly received strong buyer interest. Then again, being Toyota, a gasoline-electric hybrid is most likely in the cards down the road, with the possibility of a diesel-electric hybrid in the future.

But enough about real and potential powertrains, as the original FJ proved, horsepower isnt necessary for traversing foreboding terrain, a robust suspension and part-time 4-wheel drive with a locking center differential is.

That locking center diff is available as an option, so dont worry Land Cruiser fans, and regarding the former item on the list, the new FJ sits on a modified 4Runner (Land Cruiser Prado) platform, as previously mentioned. This should be rugged enough to make it quite capable off-road, while its 17-inch steel wheels and 265/70R17 off-road tires add the extra height needed to scale bumps that lie on the road, or trail ahead. Toyota isnt cheaping out by not including aluminum wheels, by the way, as steel is much more suitable when off the beaten path, where protruding rocks can make a mess of alloy rims. Just the same, Toyota will offer the FJ with a stylish set of 17-inch aluminum wheels as optional equipment.

By the way, the FJ is about 11 inches shorter than the 4Runner in overall length while providing a little more than a 4-inch shorter wheelbase, giving it more compact dimensions in line with competitive products such as Jeeps Liberty and Nissans Xterra, both 4×4 capable SUVs.

Four-wheel disc brakes have been chosen, however, despite some 4×4 enthusiasts preference for drums in the rear. Most buyers will appreciate the benefits of discs all-round during regular driving, where the FJ will no doubt spend the majority of its time.

Some of Toyotas new safety features have proven to be superb drivers aids off-road as well as on, such as Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and traction control (TRAC). Antilock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA) will also be standard, all part of Toyotas Star Safety System that comes standard on all of the brands SUVs.

You may have noticed in Don Esmonds previous quote, the mention of a 4×2 FJ Cruiser. This is for those who want all the style of the FJ without the extra weight, complexity and expense of a top-tier 4×4 system. While it will still be capable of light duty off-roading, Toyota recognizes that the 4×2 SUV market is critical to a vehicles success, and therefore will offer a light-duty FJ to these customers. All 4×2 models will feature a standard automatic limited slip differential (ALSD) to keep them on-track during slippery conditions.

Compared to the 4Runner its based upon, the FJ Cruiser is about as utilitarian as could be imagined. Those who experienced the original FJ40, and I was one of them thanks to a Dad who loves the backwoods as much as any man Ive ever met, who currently owns a Tundra pickup and RAV4 SUV by the way, will find the painted metal surfaces and industrial components that make up the new models interior to their liking.

Well, at least this is what I thought when first viewing the photos from a popular press site, not marked as FJ Cruiser Concept like the other concept photos, but just as FJ Cruiser. Not witnessing the Chicago FJ unveiling personally, I never got the chance to peak inside the production version. And being that among the fifty odd photos Toyota released of the production FJ, theres nary one of the vehicles interior, it makes a person question if theyve even designed an interior yet. This belief was substantiated by a member of Toyotas PR team, who told me that the 2007 FJ was introduced without a production interior, so there you have it.

So, in the absense of any real interior, were left wondering what will remain of the concept interior when it goes into production. The FJ Cruiser Concept offers a great deal more style than the original FJ, and probably what well see when the FJ becomes available at our local Toyota retailer, featuring giant sized aluminum grab bars above the dash (that will no doubt have to be deleted for safety reasons), that also house ducting for the ventilation system, a bright yellow faced instrument cluster, and a detachable GPS system (also not on the production versions options list), ideal for taking along when the road ends and foot trail begins - although, Ive yet to find a navigation system that works in the woods available from an automotive manufacturer.

To get any indication of just how radically mechanical the FJ Concepts interior is, youve got to see it with your own two eyes. There is nothing inside the FJ Concept that remotely resembles anything previously offered by Toyota, or any other manufacturer. According to Toyota the production versions steering wheel, centre-mounted shifter and door panels, will continue the toolkit theme, but to what extent is unknown.

Included as standard equipment is air conditioning, an AM/FM CD audio system with six speakers, tilt steering, four cupholders, a passenger seat back pocket and an upper dash-mounted glove box.

If thats not enough, Toyota will offer the option of a rear differential lock, electronic four-wheel traction control (on 4WD models only), running boards, rear sonar backup assist, front seat-mounted side airbags and front- and rear-side curtain airbags, daytime running lights, power outside mirrors with image lights, cruise control, an upgraded AM/FM CD audio system with a six-disc changer, equalizer and eight speakers, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, multi-information display, exterior color door insert panels, privacy glass, and a rear wiper.

The cargo area is ultra simplistic, with matte black rubberized plastic surfaces and aluminum accents making for what looks to be a commodious space. The rear seats fold flat, of course, ideal for optimizing loading capacity when threes a crowd.

To access the cargo bay, a two-part rear hatch is featured with a flip-up glass section for loading and unloading smaller items, such as grocery bags.

“Toyota is responding to the needs of a new generation of buyers with a modern interpretation of a Toyota classic, combining Toyota heritage with the safety and refinement requirements of todays market,” added Esmond.

And by so responding, the new FJ Cruiser should not only cause truck and SUV buyers to pay tribute to the short wheelbase FJ40 and BJ70 model that followed, but also its line of full-size Land Cruiser wagons, the original 4Runner pickup truck-based sport utility, and early Toyota 4×4 pickup trucks. For this reason it will do a great deal to remind North American truck and SUV buyers that Toyota has a rich history in tough-as-nails work and recreation vehicles, and in so doing the FJ, and the associated ad campaign that will accompany its launch, will probably attract new buyers to the other trucks in its lineup.

The FJ Cruisers unique styling, such as its wide grille with “Toyota” logo badging, round headlights, offset combination lamps, upright windshield, white cap roof, and rear wraparound corner windows, among other design cues, most likely wont make it onto any of Toyotas other trucks or SUVs, that is unless the FJ is so successful that the Japanese automaker reincarnates a modern day FJ pickup truck version and maybe a new twist on the FJ45 wagon.

Like VWs New Beetle, Chryslers PT Cruiser and Chevys new HHR and SSR throwbacks, the FJ will remain a Toyota heritage special, as functional as it is funky, and surely a hit with all who have ever bought into the Land Cruiser image.

The only remaining question will be its base price. Will it be inexpensive enough for Esmonds Scion buyers to take advantage of? By looking at its rugged composition, base V6 engine and standard 5-speed automatic transmission, it will be tough to price it under $20,000, but Toyota indicates it will be affordable enough to compete with other entry-level 4×4 capable SUVs, such as the Jeep Wrangler and Liberty, plus the Nissan Xterra, which would give it a base price of less than $20,000.

Of course, the worlds most profitable automaker rarely makes mistakes, and no doubt has crunched its numbers after thoroughly investigating its target demographic. Altogether Esmond feels that Toyota can sell more than the 40,000 stipulated as its initial U.S. sales target, and expects to be asking Japan for more.

No matter what it has done to prepare, the FJ Cruiser is on its way and 4×4 enthusiasts everywhere aught to rejoice. Its Prado-derived undercarriage makes it a true Land Cruiser, and its been a long time since anything that resembled an FJ40 or BJ70 has been offered on this side of the Pacific.