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2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser Review

July 4, 2009

STYLING | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Those familiar with the older FJs will immediately see the family resemblance
Road & Track

the basic cabin harmonizes nicely with the busier exterior
Motor Trend

retro-themed design
Car and Driver

Buyers bored with bland SUVs, as well as veteran FJ aficionados, should rejoice at the 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser’s singular exterior and rugged, functional interior.

The 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser has rear suicide doors that operate only when the main forward doors are open. While Road & Track comments these “Honda Element-esque suicide doors lends the FJ a two-door's personality,” others criticize their marginal usefulness, seeing them as more style than function.

“Those familiar with the older FJs will immediately see the family resemblance,” claims Road & Track of what was originally a concept vehicle for Toyota that garnered rave responses at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show. In the spirit of the original 1960s FJ40, the FJ Cruiser offers narrow-set round headlamps, a white-painted roof, an upright windshield, and wraparound rear glass. Motor Trend decrees the styling “successfully conveys uniqueness and heritage—two traits currently missing in the Toyota lineup,” and Automobile Magazine, too, proclaims the FJ “distinguishes itself from its brethren with evocative styling.”

Road & Track declares “the cabin exudes simplicity, echoing the feel of the earlier FJs” when describing the mood set by “cloth seats, a body-colored radio surround and large, easy-to-operate controls,” and Motor Trend asserts “the basic cabin harmonizes nicely with the busier exterior.” ConsumerGuide considers the interior “more functional than rich. It includes washable rubberlike flooring, water-resistant fabric trim, faux metal, body-color painted accents, and some low-budget plastic panels.”

Conclusion

The exterior of the 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser is a show-car standout in a sea of conformist SUVs.

STYLING | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Those familiar with the older FJs will immediately see the family resemblanceRoad & Trackthe basic cabin harmonizes nicely with the busier exteriorMotor Trendretro-themed designCar and Driver Buyers bored with bland SUVs, as well as veteran FJ aficionados, should rejoice at the 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser’s singular exterior and rugged, functional interior. The 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser has rear suicide doors that operate only when the main forward doors are open. While Road & Track comments these “Honda Element-esque suicide doors lends the FJ a two-door's personality,” others criticize their marginal usefulness, seeing them as more style than function. “Those familiar with the older FJs will immediately see the family resemblance,” claims Road & Track of what was originally a concept vehicle for Toyota that garnered rave responses at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show. In the spirit of the original 1960s FJ40, the FJ Cruiser offers narrow-set round headlamps, a white-painted roof, an upright windshield, and wraparound rear glass. Motor Trend decrees the styling “successfully conveys uniqueness and heritage—two traits currently missing in the Toyota lineup,” and Automobile Magazine, too, proclaims the FJ “distinguishes itself from its brethren with evocative styling.” Road & Track declares “the cabin exudes simplicity, echoing the feel of the earlier FJs” when describing the mood set by “cloth seats, a body-colored radio surround and large, easy-to-operate controls,” and Motor Trend asserts “the basic cabin harmonizes nicely with the busier exterior.” ConsumerGuide considers the interior “more functional than rich. It includes washable rubberlike flooring, water-resistant fabric trim, faux metal, body-color painted accents, and some low-budget plastic panels.” ConclusionThe exterior of the 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser is a show-car standout in a sea of conformist SUVs. 2009 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER STYLING | [9 out of 10] Road & Track: “Those familiar with the older FJs will immediately see the family resemblance” Motor Trend: “the basic cabin harmonizes nicely with the busier exterior” Car and Driver: “retro-themed design” Buyers bored with bland ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

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See the Toyota FJ Cruiser in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

Comments (1 total)

  1. By  Play 99.6 #1, Posted: 8/25/2009

    we totally dig the FJ Cruiser, so we ran a contest to give it away. here are the highlights from Touch It To Win It - you won't believe how long the winner lasted with her hand on the car!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URW42QjO19g

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