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Toyota FJ Cruiser TRD Review |
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Written by Webmaster
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Thursday, 23 October 2008 |
By Professor Toyota
 While the FJ Cruiser was a big hit with consumers when it debuted, our first impression of Toyota's premier trail
rig was positive, but mixed, voting the FJ Cruiser a third-place finisher in the 2007 Four Wheeler of the Year
competition within a crowded field of contenders as reported by the staff at www.fjcruiserowners.com While the staff was amazed at the FJ's ride and handling, cargo
capacity, and comfort in the dirt and on the highway, they found the styling and some functionality a mixed bag,
including the suicide-style rear doors, a smallish back seat, and box-van visibility.
The inside of the TRD Cruiser is basically a loaded FJ, with the addition
of various TRD badging and accoutrements, such as a special TRD shift knob-constant reminders that you are driving
the cream of the FJ crop. Only 3,200 FJ Cruiser TRDs were produced for 2007.
In addition to the TRD package, our six-speed manual-transmission FJ Cruiser was optioned with the towing hitch
and wiring harness ($349), an armrest ($125), and a security system ($479), bringing
the total price as tested to a still palatable $31,953.
The Bilstein-damped suspension on the TRD version is righteous; with 8 inches of front travel and 9 inches of
rear, there is plenty of travel to enjoy fast-paced roads. The nearly 32-inch-tall BFG All-Terrains help the FJ to
achieve almost 10 inches of ground clearance and give it plenty of off-pavement traction while remaining perfectly
docile and still quite a good handler on the road. Our testers have commented on how fun the FJ is to drive, with
just-right suspension tuning and fantastic chassis dynamics.
In the snow, the full-time four-wheel-drive FJ, with its Torsen center differential, has proven to be a great
all-weather vehicle, sure-footedly transporting our occupants to their destinations safely and without incident.
The FJ Cruiser continues to be a staff favorite for those weekend getaways, so we'll continue putting our newest
long-termer through its paces and at this point, we are guessing that our year with the FJ Cruiser is going to be
as fun as Toyota promises it will be.
Long-Term Numbers
Miles to date: 3,908
Miles since last report: First report
Average mpg (this report): 14.65
Test best tank (mpg): 15.72
Test worst tank (mpg): 13.85
What's hot, what's not:
Hot: Great value, superior chassis dynamics, smooth V-6
Not: Jury is still out on styling, suicide doors, rear visibility
Logbook Quotes
* "Requires Premium fuel-that is surprising."
* "Fun to drive! Great power builds with the revs."
* "The rear visibility sucks!"
* "Took a while to realize that the rear window opens independently of the rear door-that's handy"
Professor Fj Cruiser can be found answering questions at http://www.fjcruiserowners.com
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 23 October 2008 )
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