Nissan Rogue Vs. Honda CR-V: Compare Cars
For small families, the vehicle of choice is no longer the minivan or the SUV; it's the compact... Read More
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Driving the FJ is a lot like piloting a boat.
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.
Power is decent, although the engine is a bit loud at higher rpms.
Off road, the FJ is simply fantastic.
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 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser performs to its full potential on the trail, but as you might guess from its appearance it's not always completely in its element on the tarmac.
With 260 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, its 4.0-liter V-6 engine is a gem, and the six-speed manual or five-speed automatic do quite well with what it can churn out. Off-the-line performance is quick (relative to other sturdy off-roaders), while highway passing isn't quite as blistering, but it's adequate.
The rear-wheel-drive model can only be equipped with the automatic, while the all-wheel-drive model allows buyers to choose between the manual or the auto. Another boon of the all-wheel-drive model is its mix of traditional mechanical and more modern electronic means of gaining and maintaining traction; a system called A-TRAC helps reduce wheel spin and redistribute torque, and it's helpful on the road as well as off it.
Thanks to its set of sturdy underpinnings that are borrowed from the previous-generation Toyota 4Runner, the FJ Cruiser performs exceptionally well off-road. There's enough wheel articulation to negotiate some challengine situations without making too many on-road sacrifices, and this SUV has no problem traversing through water as high as 27.5 inches. Of all stock vehicles, the FJ has some of the best approach and departure angles.
On the road, we can't gush nearly as much. The FJ Cruiser's tall tires, tall body, and 4,000-pound-plus curb weight add up to a lot of body roll in the corners. Maneuverability is disappointing, and the FJ is safe in quick lane-change maneuvers but definitely not confidence-inspiring. This is simply a vehicle that drives larger than it looks.
Conclusion
Off-road prowess is the priority for the FJ Cruiser, while this tall and heavy SUV feels understandably cumbersome on the highway.
