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Re: DUNCAN HAIMERL review: like $75k vehicle, 1/3 the cost!
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Toyota's FJ Cruiser Adept At Climbing
Toyota FJ Cruiser
DUNCAN HAIMERL / SPECIAL TO THE COURANT,
The manufacturer's suggested retail price of the Toyota FJ Cruiser is $24,820, which includes the delivery charge of $685.
By DUNCAN HAIMERL | Special To The Courant
September 29, 2007
Struggling up a ski slope at a lodge in Pennsylvania's Poconos is an ideal way to check out the capability of various sport utility vehicles. The best bet for the money (about $25,000) a few weeks ago was Toyota's bold FJ Cruiser. Indeed, this SUV didn't balk at anything, no matter how deep the hole or high the hill.
It had little trouble with having one wheel completely off the ground, and it didn't jar the occupants too harshly.
The FJ has skid plates in case anything gets too close to the 9.6-inch ground clearance. One of its claims to off-road usefulness is the vinyl floor covering so it can survive a lot of mud being tracked inside.
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Land Rover tested out the dips and bumps on the ski slope and, naturally, it seemed an easy ride for its Range Rover. But, remember, at about $76,000, the Range Rover is almost three times the price of the FJ Cruiser. Land Rover rated both the vehicles and the auto-writer drivers, and I talked myself into getting the go-anywhere, any-vehicle sticker.
Closer in price at the ski slope were a couple of Jeep Wranglers, but they didn't have the innovative exterior styling of the FJ.
To me, the FJ Cruiser's styling looks as good on the road as it behaves off the road, even down to its trio of windshield wipers. Its 4.0-liter V-6 engine, with 239 horsepower, is capable of going zero to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds.
(Which reminds me, a satellite radio comedian had me roaring with laughter when he was talking the other night about getting a new car, a 1998 three-cylinder, Geo Metro, which went zero to 60 - eventually).
Mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, the FJ engine has a torque rating of 278 foot-pounds, which helps account for its zero-to-60 time. EPA mileage estimates are 16 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway, which is a little on the low side. And the engine demands premium gasoline.
The FJ can tow a maximum of 5,000 pounds, which is more than its curb weight of 4,295 pounds.
The FJ is fairly roomy inside with front shoulder room of 58.4 inches and rear shoulder room of 53.9 inches. Front legroom is 41.9 inches, which is standard in many vehicles, but rear passengers get just 31.3 inches of legroom. The FJ has a total length of 183.9 inches.
I found one interesting statistic; the braking distance is 126.6 feet for 60 mph to zero, with the FJ's emergency braking assist, four-wheel anti-lock brakes and electronic brake force distribution.
The manufacturer's suggested retail price of the Toyota FJ Cruiser is $24,820, which includes the delivery charge of $685.
There is no dealer invoice available at this time, and even Edmunds.com's True Market Value guide does not show any big savings because the 2008 FJ is so new to the market. It shows an average selling price in this region of $24,765.
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