2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser .Chris Nefs
When it debuted in 2007, the FJ Cruiser was a bit of a step back in time for Toyota, reminiscent of the Land Cruiser models of the 1960s and 1970s.
Still, it might have been retro in flavour and concept, but it also came with thoroughly up-do-date engineering and could take just about any kind of off-road obstacles you could throw at it. In a landscape of faux SUVs, this was truly a down-and-dirty bush beast.
The FJ Cruiser featured body-on-frame construction and power was provided by a 4.0-litre V-6 taken from the Tacoma pickup and 4Runner SUV. In this configuration, it developed 239 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 278 lb-ft of torque at 3,800 rpm.
Two transmissions were available: a five-speed automatic and a six-speed manual, and each one had its own 4WD system. The manual gearbox came with a full-time 4WD arrangement, while the automatic featured a part-time setup that allowed you to go from 2WD to 4WD on the fly.
For hard-core bushwhackers, you could also get a locking rear differential and a traction control system, depending upon the drivetrain. These latter drivers also usually opted for the six-speed manual transmission package; among other things, it had a locking centre Torsen differential and high- and low-range 4WD.
The automatic version, meanwhile, had basically the same "slip-and-grip" arrangement found in the Tacoma and Tundra pickups and delivered better fuel economy.
Unsurprisingly, the FJ Cruiser had a decidedly truckish way about it, mainly because its platform was essentially that of the Tacoma. With a relatively compact wheelbase of 2,690 mm, the ride was harsher than most SUVs and the whole vehicle had a kind of no-nonsense ambience about it.
This was one rig you could bury up to the door sills in mud and slop without fear of getting stuck, and with a base price of just under $30,000, you didn't have to fret about scratching the paint.
Because of the way it was designed, getting into the FJ required a little forward planning. You don't just open the door and climb in, but need to kind of step up on to the sill, tuck your head down and insinuate yourself in, butt first. Undersized rear auxiliary doors made rear seat access equally tricky, and outward visibility was a little on the claustrophobic side. But once inside, there was a surprisingly amount of rear-seat elbow room.
If you were looking for a an SUV with luxury modcons, this wasn't your kind of rig. Things like deep-pile carpeting, leather upholstery or wood trim just weren't part of the package here. On the other hand, air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, a 60/40-split/folding rear bench seat, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, a heavy-duty battery and starter, meaty P265x70R 17-inch wheels and tires and the distinctive white roof were standard issue on all models.
Just one relatively minor safety recall from Transport Canada. On certain models equipped with either Dunlop or Bridgestone tires, the inner sidewall of the tire may have been damaged during assembly. Dealers will replace any affected tires. To this, we can add possible improper load-carrying stickers, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This could, under extreme conditions, result in the vehicle being overloaded.
Just four technical service bulletins to report from NHTSA. One was for possibly leaky doors, another for minor steering adjustments, and another for potential seat belt retractor issues. The fourth involves a software reprogramming procedure advisory for service personnel. Considering the fact that the FJ Cruiser was specifically designed for off-road duty and may have been put through its paces in the toolies, this is a remarkably small number of TSBs.
Consumer Reports seems to concur. The '07 vintage gets this organization's top marks in every category and, with the exception of minor issues with the paint and trim, it has no black marks of any kind.
"Reliability has been above average," the magazine notes. That said, there are some issues about peripheral visibility and creature comforts.
Market research firm J.D. Power is less enthusiastic. It gives the FJ Cruiser no top marks at all, with average or below-average ratings in areas such as interior quality design, instrumentation, performance and initial quality. Still, it gets a better-than-average rating for predicted reliability.
Expect to pay from the high teens to the mid-20,000 range for an '07 FJ, about half of its original base price.
globedrive@globeandmail.com
2007 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER
Original Base Price: $29,990; Black Book Value: $26,775; Red Book Value: $18,050-$21,100
Engine: 4.0-litre V-6
Horsepower/Torque: 239 hp/278 lb-ft
Transmission: Five-speed automatic/six-speed manual
Drive: 2WD/4WD
Fuel Economy (litres/100 km): 14.5 city/11.2 highway (six-speed manual); regular gas
Alternatives: Land Rover LR3, Nissan Xterra, Hummer H3, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Subaru Outback