Is Toyota's FJ Cruiser Built For Only One Purpose OR Does This Guy Have It All Wrong?

The Detroit News reports:

Its style outweighs its function and it can go places most Toyotas can only think about treading.

During a week-long test drive of the new 2010 FJ, which included the Trail Teams Special Edition Package -- a $6,695 set of off-road options -- I found myself dreading highway driving and longing for big hills and mud.

That's because the FJ isn't much fun around town.

Sitting inside this big vehicle is like looking out of a German pillbox. The visibility is awful; there's just a gun slot of a windshield. A high riding position typically opens up lanes of sight, but the way you sit in the FJ, the windshield is up and away from you, making it difficult to see over the front end, much less the passenger side. And parking the FJ is more of a guessing game than anything else if you don't have the optional backup camera....

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rxh8me9000 - 5/9/2010 2:46:57 AM

-4 Boost

Had a friends FJ for a weekend in the catskill mountains. Pulled my buddies Jeep Grand Cherokee out of the snow. Its an offroad sleeper.

upwards - 5/9/2010 11:44:58 AM

+3 Boost

Funny... I went there to but I seen a Grand Cherokee pulling out an fj .

truckman - 5/10/2010 2:58:31 AM

+3 Boost

Yes the FJ was built for a special purpose, to fool all of the dumb people to think that it can go off road, for $6000 you can get the off road package, I would be curious what is in the sticker and shock package? I HAVE TO GIVE THE fj CREdit for having a selectable rear locker, but the front suspension is the weak link off road, there is poor axle articulation....I could go on...Although a nice vehicle to drive to the local ski hill and light off road, just nothing like a the Rubicon or Power Wagon or the Ford Raptor.The FJ is just a 4 runner with different skin.

truckman - 5/11/2010 2:20:02 PM

+1 Boost

They are basically identical, the 4 runner has a few more HP, don't take my word for it, check it out.

pennfootball - 5/11/2010 4:36:13 PM

+2 Boost

AMEN brother

r15mohd - 5/10/2010 11:29:14 AM

+1 Boost

of course it's gonna be asking you to take it thru the woods, it is the off-road package?!?

truckman - 5/12/2010 3:49:20 AM

+1 Boost

The off road package comes with stickers and mediocre shocks for $6,000.And traction control for the front diff and one good thing, a selectable locker, the only worthy thing on this vehicle.