CD Article: 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser

[CD_Editor]

Today's Test Drive:
A "genuine sport-utility vehicle" with a "high utility factor" and low starting price of $30,725, the 2008 FJ Cruiser is "a strong value proposition", says contributor Haney Louka, even though "it doesn't have all the creature comforts available in most SUVs."
 

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Read the article | View the photos | All The Test Drives

[Mitlov]

Terrible visibility, poor interior quality (based upon me and my wife inspecting one), very poor interior space...if this was built by a domestic company, people would tear it to pieces.

It's a contender for people who want 85% of the off-road ability of a Wrangler with a little bit more sophistication.  But overall, I can't understand choosing this over an XTerra for day-to-day use, or choosing this over a Wrangler Unlimited for weekend warrior use.

[articsteve]

There isn't an ounce of carpet to be found: this is a hose-down space front and back

Often misinterpreted by cranky ppl as an interior trim deficiency. 

[rrocket]

..if this was built by a domestic company, people would tear it to pieces.

That's what the Hummer is for.....

[2hondas]

Pretty popular around here, but I am pretty sure they are all used to drive to the office and back. 

Saw a yellow one in traffic yesterday, and wow, did it stand out.

[cricri1234]

Long time reader first time contributor here.

Haney when you say the FJ is not over-priced at 30725$ did you take the time to look at toyotausa.com where the FJ starts at 22545$. Now how is it not over-priced exactly? Compared to a LR2... it's time for the canadian press to start helping driving the prices down and promoting that a 30K$ FJ is not over-priced doesn't help at all.

It's over-priced  

[rrocket]

^^^^Yea...welcome.  We've been griping about our Canadian pricing for some time..we even have a separate section for it....

[ovr50]

Lots of them on the roads around here...local Toyota shop seems to be having no problems selling all they get in.

I have not driven one, but did sit in one, and I would think the rear & 3/4 visibility would be a serious issue for me. I hate not having a clear sight line. I know of one fellow who really wanted one, and was convinced he was going to buy one - until he drove it, and he said that was the end of it for him, he could not see out well enough.

[Wolfe]

Terrible visibility, poor interior quality (based upon me and my wife inspecting one), very poor interior space...if this was built by a domestic company, people would tear it to pieces.

They did get one thing right though: the rear door is hinged on the left side and has a strut to hold it open. The RAV4 has a right-hinged rear door and no strut . It's one of those things that you might not appreciate in the showroom or on a test drive, but when you try to load larger cargo items when parallel parked with traffic zooming by you


Maybe there's a reason nobody bothers to shoulder check anymore...

[AVToller]

They seem to be selling well here in Port - and for the life of me, I can't figure out why. I agree with most of the complaints previously made. 

[airbalancer]

Should he not compare this to a H3 and Xterra instead of the LR and H2?
Also FJ runs on 91 fuel.
Are they still breaking apart or has Toyota found a fix for it
Xterra, I think is a better all around vehicle

[Rupert]

I like the look and concept, where needed. Can't see this as a general road going vehicle. Poor use of non-renewable resources for mere personal transportation, high gas consumption. Are many sold for safari useage.

[safristi]

Many being SOLD................KIDS brought UP on LEGO  perchance.....? ...

[tpl]

I like the look and concept, where needed. Can't see this as a general road going vehicle. Poor use of non-renewable resources for mere personal transportation, high gas consumption. Are many sold for safari useage.

In those places where one can do a real safari I think that one can also buy a real Land Cruiser... which for some reason they don't sell here.

[jww]

I do see the popularity of the FJ, but it's certainly not for me.

[safristi]

Safari in TO town   to the Boonies  of Scare BORO......the Queen Wst drag...or the Biatches after 11 pm......scary STUFF    Cougars everywhere.......... .... better a Land here ROVER DISCO

[Demosthenes X]

It's a contender for people who want 85% of the off-road ability of a Wrangler with a little bit more sophistication.  But overall, I can't understand choosing this over an XTerra for day-to-day use, or choosing this over a Wrangler Unlimited for weekend warrior use.

Not everyone can afford to buy, insure, and park a Wrangler and a daily driver.  As such, the FJ makes a lot of sense for someone that does lots of real off-roading/camping, and needs a reliable and practical daily driver.  I would much rather buy a used Wrangler and a used Civic, but if you live in an apartment with one parking spot (for example...)

That's my theory, anyway.  In reality, I'm sure most people buy them because they like the looks.

[Mitlov]

There isn't an ounce of carpet to be found: this is a hose-down space front and back

Often misinterpreted by cranky ppl as an interior trim deficiency. 

I appreciate that aspect.  When I was talking about poor interior quality, I meant door panels, uncomfortable and unsupportive seats, and dash materials.

[Craig]

Maybe there's a reason nobody bothers to shoulder check anymore...

I see you point.  It looks like the FJ was purposefully designed to thwart the shoulder check.

[Eric Green]

Why is it that CD reviewers seldom seem able to give real-world fuel consumption numbers? Merely quoting Transport Canada's numbers are an utter waste of time- at best, err to the highest consumption number and hope you hit it. But good luck.

Get with it, Haney et al. Use your calculators or on-board computers.