New Consumer Reports: FJ got a PERFECT score

[akwagon]

The perfect score is for the reliability not the performance of the vehicle. sorry folks, we still trail the kia for performance according to consumer reports.

[thalassa]

FJ got a perfect score on the page where everything is rated by the colored circles, but in the actual review article it was not checked as reccommended, mostly because of handling and visibility..it was also rated poor for emergency handling...but got rave reviews for custormer satisfaction and expected resale value!!

[rjp]

Read the article last night and agree with nearly everything in it:

• Reliability: Top Rating
• Owner Satisfaction: Top Rating
• Safety: Top Rating
• Handling: Not Rated Very Well (actually made the "Worst" list); let's face it, it handles like a truck with 10" of clearance that is off-road capable. When compared to a Rav4 it does not handle well ... when compared to other off-road capable vehicles, it's a dream. Everything is a trade off.
• Visibility: Not Rated Very Well; wow, this is a surprise. If you are a good driver that knows how to use your mirrors you will never have a problem. If you aren't such a good driver (I know many of these people), this is probably not the vehicle for you.
• Overall: Not Recommended; if "Consumers Reports" practicality is what you are looking for (on-road handling, gas mileage, go-and-get-the-groceries capability), I wouldn't recommend the FJ either. With that said, the FJ is the absolute best vehicle I've ever owned ... I just have a different criteria in what I'm looking for (outside of reliability / safety that is).

For "Joe Average Drive To And From Work" consumer, the rating is fair.

[farapart]

Also, in the front of the current issue the FJ is listed on a page titled "back to the drawing board" in ref to the blind spots...I disagree but thats what it says

[TRunner]

I filled out my consumer reports for this rig and don't see how it got that bad of a review. (I almost through it away, but opened it and found they sent me a real american dollar in that thar envelope, so I decided why the hell not...) My only complaint is visbility and I even stated on mine, that if you use your mirrors it wasn't bad. I also gave it great reviews for handling. It handles better then any other in it's class. I wasn't comparing it to my 1966 Porche 911, mind you, but with the VSC on this rig, it handles even better then I expected. My 4Runner and many other SUV's never hugged the road like this thing.

[happycamper]

I have owned a Audi TT convertible and a CLK 500 (hunk of chrysler junk!) and by far i think the FJ is my most favorite vehicle out of the 3. Its not meant to be a soccer moms suv..its supposed to be one BAD ASSS toy that goes over everything in its path.(not a rangerover supersport that does 0-60 in 5 secs) ..its not meant for eveybody...and i personally do not know what the fuss is all aobut the blind spot..I have never had a problem driving..I give it an A+.

[whipsaw]

I don't have my issue with me now, but if I remember correctly, out of 68 SUV's the FJ finished 3rd from the bottom in terms of overall performance, (I think the Wrangler was one of the two below it).

It had a score of 36 out of a possible 100.

Of course it's worth keeping in mind that Consumer Reports reviews vehicles from a different context than the people on this board who are hard-core modders and off-roaders.

As far as the "off-road" caliber SUV's CR felt seemed to like the Xterra the most for it's reliability, functionality, and off-road prowess. They gave it a "recommended".

[nlk125]

California Annie previously said:

I dont have it with me, but there are two sections:

The first is the Overall rating, which included their complaints about the poor visibility and gas milage.

The second is towards the back of the magazine, which rated all vehicles based on the mechanics, alone. They rated all aspects as follows:

Solid red circle: Excellent
1/2 red circle: Very Good
White Circle: Good
1/2 black circle: Fair
Black circle: Poor

The FJ got Solid Red Circles in all areas. Only two or three other vehicles received 100% Solid Red Circles.

Catagories included:
Engine
Cooling
Fuel
Ignition
Transmission
Electrical
A/C
Suspension
Brakes
Exhaust

etc....

I can scan it and post it tomorrow - A

YOu may be misinterpreting the overall results... I saw the same article on CR online... They were referring to the "Reliability" And Yes, I belive it's over all Reliability or expected reliability was only surpassed by a lexus ES 330 (Fj @ 92 vs Lexus @ 93, those were the two highest rated reliability vehicles I saw in the report...). In other measures it was rated rather poorly. Which is Fine. I love my FJ, but it's not for everyone.

Cheers,

[thugasaur]

ive never trusted CR on anything but electronics and appliances and this confirms my opinion hers why...

visibility? learn to set your mirrors
fuel economy? umm you look at the shape its a brick with wheels
handling? what did you expect a Porsche with a lift still wouldnt be a sports car you want something like this get a x5 or a cayanne

i love my blue beast wouldnt trade it for a damn thing so CR can screw themselves

[bartt]

Personally I am glad to hear that they gave it the reliability ratings that it deserves. However the ratings where they mark it down, while known issues, could have been worded differently. They could have easily made their point without completely condemning the FJ. Another instance of PC run-amok.

I really don't care what others think, this is by far one of the best, most brutal and at the same time civilized machines I've ever owned. It's nice when I get a thumbs-up here and there too.. Bottom line is "we're cool and they're not!"..