Teresa’s View
In the Everything Old is New Again Department, let me introduce the all-new, retro FJ Cruiser. The striking styling pays homage to Toyota’s famed FJ40 4x4 utility vehicle. The premier choice of safari and off-road enthusiasts, the FJ40 first arrived on these shores in 1960 and remains a favored collectible.
The reinvention of the FJ doesn’t just look like a real sport-ute — it is a real sport-ute. Go ahead! Take it through muddy bog pits and over grimy gravel. Ground clearance is a stump-jumpin’ 9.6 inches on the four-wheel drive version (a two-wheel drive model also is offered). It even has an actual low-range gear. Sweet.
One of the best features of the FJ Cruiser is the roomy, practical interior. Flat panels on the dash and the doors match the bright, exterior paint. The water repellent seats are as handsome as they are sensible. Rubber-like flooring cleans up well.
On the road, the truck-based FJ rides more like its sibling the 4Runner than the sedan-based Highlander.
The downside of the retro design is very poor sight lines, making backing out of a parking space or driveway an unnecessary challenge. A spare tire mounted on the tailgate doesn’t help matters.
Each FJ includes Toyota’s Star Safety System — a plethora of features such as vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, front airbags and 3-point seatbelts for the whole crew. Curtain side airbags and front seat side bolster airbags are packaged into a $650 option.
What Is It?: The 2007 FJ Cruiser is a five-passenger midsize SUV from Toyota. It comes in two flavors — two-wheel-drive, priced from $22K — and four-wheel drive, starting at $24K.
Gadget Rating: Are you sick and tired of those tricky digital interfaces? You are going to love the large, round, manual climate control dials on the FJ Cruiser. The standard audio system set-up includes AM/FM/CD with six speakers — two are located in the headliner. Other standard features include a rear window defogger, eight-way adjustable driver’s seat and power windows and door locks. My fave is the set of three — count ‘em — three windshield wipers. Be aware, most of the really great features are available as expensive options.
The Back Seat: I’m not a big fan of the rear doors. They open only after the front door, with the hinge toward the back so both doors open like a clamshell. One thing is for sure; no one in the back seat is going anywhere until the front-seat passenger says so.
Grocery Sack Test: The lovely cargo area — accessed by a side-opening tailgate — is large, tall and loaded with multipurpose hooks and tie-downs for paper or plastic bags.
Recommended Fuel: Premium.
And the Winner Is…: The FJ Cruiser was the big winner at the annual Sport-Utility of the Year competition, hosted by the Northwest Automotive Press Association, taking top honors in the $25,000 — $34,999 category. The FJ was also named SUV of the Year.