Think of the 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser as one of those fitness models who has plenty of muscle beneath that modern beauty. As more mid-size SUVs try to fill the gap made by the slow — let’s just call it deflation — of the Hummer due to automaker and gas price woes, the FJ Cruiser is still the one to beat.
Once again, Toyota opted to just give the new model FJ Cruiser a tweak here and a twist there. That’s not surprising. Since it was introduced in 2007, it hasn’t had a major facelift. The minor tweaks have raised some questions, though.
Auto critics at Edmonds and other major publications predict Toyota will either drop the Cruiser from one of their next lines ups (due to new U.S. fuel standards) or get a major overhaul.
| 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser 4×2 |
| » Engine: 4-liter V-6, 260 horsepower |
| » Transmission: 5-speed automatic |
| » Fuel economy: 17 mpg city, 22 mpg highway |
| » MSRP: Starting at $25,790 |
The FJ Cruiser’s mileage is far from excellent — the one I drove checked in at 17 mpg city and 22 mpg highway — but think what it delivers. This SUV is all about power and can take you from the highway to the rugged back roads of West Virginia and beyond.
What that means, of course, is that you should buy now if you really want one. But do you want one? I hate to cop out, but the best way to decide is to take a test drive. You’ll either love it or hate it. I tried the lower-end 4×2 and found it to be one of those SUVs that appears to be tough but is really all about luxury. The FJ Cruiser wins major kudos for great off-road handling.
That’s not just from me — after all, the most off roading I did in one was on a dirt road — but by major sports enthusiasts at Motor Trend and other major publications that gave the model a hard-core workout.
You will hear some gripes that the FJ Cruiser offers a less-than-optimal ride on paved roads. That wasn’t my experience. I loved the quick pick up, power, and steady ride thanks to the top-notch suspension. Braking, as you probably can guess just by Toyota’s reputation, was smooth and easy.
Toyota made its name on safety and the FJ Cruiser offers plenty including vehicle stability, traction control, anti-lock brakes and air bags galore.
It’s important to point out, though, that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the FJ Cruiser top “Good” scores for front, side and rear crashes. The institute gave it only “acceptable” for roof strength, though, so best not to get too crazy with it.
The FJ Cruiser isn’t huge but it’s functional with 66.8 cubic feet behind its front seats and 27.9 cubic feet in the rear.
The interior is also built for fun and sport with rubberized floor and industrial strength cloth seats, dashboard and cargo space. Go ahead and get it muddy — you’ll be able to clean it right off.
If you’re a sports enthusiast or just want a go-almost-anywhere, do-almost-anything mid-sized SUV, you may need to look no further than the FJ Cruiser.
