Honda Accord Or Nissan Altima: Which One Does V-6 Better?
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PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
Driving the FJ is a lot like piloting a boat.
Car and Driver
Steering response and braking confidence (it stopped from 60 mph in 126 feet) are also on par with even the most carlike SUVs currently available.
Edmunds' Inside Line
Power is decent, although the engine is a bit loud at higher rpms.
MSN Autos
Off road, the FJ is simply fantastic.
Cars.com
The 2011 FJ Cruiser is built from some of the same components as the last-generation Toyota 4Runner, so it shines off-road—especially when considering its shortened wheelbase and additional ground clearance. Skid plates protect the underbody, and components are tucked into frame rails. Suspension tuning aims to get good wheel articulation without making too many on-road sacrifices, and the FJ can ford up to 27.5 inches of water; approach and departure angles for the FJ are among the best of any stock vehicle.
Considering that, on-road performance isn't quite the afterthought you'd expect. The FJ does quite well, even on the highway, provided the path is relatively straight, but in any corners its height, tall tires, and hefty 4,300-pound curb weight get in the way of any attempt to change direction quickly. Maneuverability remains disappointing, though; the FJ doesn't turn around as easily as you'd expect, and it feels wide in anything but full-width parking spots.
Conclusion
The 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser is surely focused toward off-roading, but it's not completely inept on streets and highways.
