3
TONKA TOUGH
MUCH MORE THAN A PRADO IN FANCY DRESS, TOYOTA’S FJ CRUISER
OFFERS SERIOUSLY GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY.Y
OU better get in quick if you want an
FJ Cruiser, as production of Australian-
delivered Cruisers will cease in August.
The FJ will still be around in local
showrooms for a while after that, but for
how long is difficult to say.
The FJ is essentially a petrol Prado but with
part-time 4x4 and a shortened wheelbase. It
also only comes with a five-speed automatic. The
lack of a diesel engine and, to a lesser extent, a
manual gearbox has no doubt limited its sales,
but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good thing. When
it arrived in Australia in 2011 it took out our
annual 4X4 Of The Year award against very stiff
competition, and it’s still one of our favourites
here at 4X4 Australia.
The FJ’s 4.0-litre V6, complete with variable
valve timing on both cams, claims 200kW and
380Nm in typically Toyota-like ‘soft’ tune, where
power spread, not peak power, is the name of
the game.
The FJ is around 200kg lighter than a petrol-
powered Prado, so outright performance and
mid-range flexibility are noticeably better. The
five-speed gearbox works well with the engine
and has a gated shift for ‘manual’ gear selection,
rather than the tip-shift of the current Prado.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of all is the FJ’s
modest thirst, no doubt helped by its reduced
weight and the engine’s soft tune. Combinedwith the 159-litre fuel capacity, this makes for a
decent touring range.
The reduced weight and better mass
centralisation, thanks to little rear overhang, also
makes for surprisingly good on-road dynamics,
despite the soft suspension and some unsettling
from the live rear axle on bumpier roads.
As good as the FJ is on-road, it comes
into its own off-road thanks to its supple
long-travel suspension and superior ground
clearance and approach, departure and ramp-
over angles (compared to a Prado). In fact, it
has the best approach and departure angles of
any Toyota 4x4.
The FJ comes with a driver-operated rear
diff lock and, while engaging this negates the
traction control on both axles, the driver can
reinstate off-road-specific traction control
(A-TRC) across the front axle even when the
rear diff is locked, which is a major bonus when
the going gets tough.
Given the FJ misses out on the third-row
seating of the Prado – and access to the rear
seat is somewhat restricted – it’s not really a
family 4x4. However, the cabin is surprisingly
comfortable and plenty roomy for a two-
person getaway. Add in the fact the FJ is well
supported by the aftermarket and you have a
robust, practical, capable and Toyota-reliable
enthusiast’s 4x4.PRICE $46,990 ENGINE 4.0-litre V6 petrol
TOYOTA FJ CRUISER
ENGINE: 4.0-litre V6 petrol
POWER: 200kW
TORQUE: 380Nm
GEARBOX: five-speed automatic
4X4 SYSTEM: dual-range part-time
FRONT SUSPENSION: independent/coil
springs
REAR SUSPENSION: live axle/coil springs
KERB WEIGHT: 2000kg
GVM: 2510kg
TOWING CAPACITY: 2250kg
FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 159 litres
ADR FUEL CLAIM: 11.4L/100km
488 http://www.4X4australia.com.auDRIVEN BEST BUYS