QUALITY | 5 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
Seat comfort is superb, with supportive bolsters and a soft yet durable cloth.
Edmunds' Inside Line
Because of the tall ground clearance, it is tough for older people and small children to get in and out of the FJ.
MSN Autos
The seats were comfy, which is good if you get moved around a lot on an off-road excursion.
AutoWeek
The front seats provide good support for extended jaunts, but we wish the steering column would telescope for a bit more comfort.
Car and Driver
The 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser may be a great looking vehicle that’s very capable off-road, but unfortunately those same qualities also make it somewhat less comfortable and less refined than most of its rivals. Vehicles such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Nissan Pathfinder are just as capable as the FJ Cruiser but are much more comfortable and easy to live with, especially if long-distance driving is a regular thing.
The rear seats in the FJ Cruiser are cramped, though the rear-hinged back doors provide decent access. The tall ride height makes getting in and out harder than you’ll find with most other SUVs, and the FJ Cruiser's big size also belies a lack of storage. You will be disappointed if you’re looking for a vehicle with a lot of storage compartments for smaller items and electronic gear.
Noise and vibration from the engine bay and tires also seem to make it into the cabin much more so in the FJ Cruiser than most other vehicles in the same class. During highway driving this conspires to wear you down.
The expanse of plastic on the dash, center console and door innards feels cheap but the toy truck-look does match the exterior styling and the surface materials are easy to keep clean.
Conclusion
While very capable off the road, the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser is far from being the most comfortable or refined vehicle in its segment.
