Site RSS Feed2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Toyota FJ Cruiser: Stylish and sassy
Mon, Nov 13th 2006
|
| VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS | |
|---|---|
| type | 5 door, suv - mid, 4wd |
| msrp | $22,110 |
| trans | automatic |
| gas mi. | 16mpg/19mpg |
| rating |  |
I have not yet driven a vehicle that brought out such strong love/hate feelings as the Toyota FJ Cruiser. This vehicle could have been such an incredibly perfect dogmobile, if Toyota had just done a few things differently. And oh, are those drawbacks aggravating.
First, the alarm system. Evidently Toyota believes we are all forgetful idiots. The FJ will not allow you to leave it unlocked. If you walk away without locking it, after a few seconds it will lock itself and set the alarm. At that point, any motion in the car will set off the alarm.
OK, so let’s take a dog-travel scenario. Say you’re planning to drive with two dogs (say, two retrievers named Woody and McKenzie) from Sacramento to Chino, a seven-hour drive down Interstate 5 (and then across the 210, to the 57, to the 60, to the 71, to I-15 -- or something like that, again, this is purely hypothetical), to compete in, say, the hunt test of the Golden Retriever Club of Greater Los Angeles.
A normal person might have to stop a couple of times to use the restroom, or grab a bite to eat. The weather being cool and all, said person would want to roll down the windows just a little bit and lock the car, since (I imagine) Toyota frowns on having its test vehicles stolen, and a normal person frowns on the same happening to her dogs.
A normal person generally takes more than the approximately 45 seconds Toyota allows her before the FJ locks itself and the dogs set off the alarm.
This is a serious design flaw.
The manual reassures a buyer that the system can be disengaged by the dealer if one so chooses.
Leaving the realm of the hypothetical, let me say that never has anyone used a bathroom as quickly as I did on I-5 this weekend. And never has anyone wanted to reach into a car and rip out the wiring as much as I did on I-5 this weekend.
Since I’m dwelling on the negative, I’ll continue through the list:
- Premium gas required. It’s an off-road vehicle. When we’re in a Mad Max end-of-world situation, this would be the car you want. If only it didn’t insist on premium gas, like some high-performance sports car.
- Seats that don’t fold flat. C’mon. This is basic. How difficult to engineer seats that fold flat?
- Not enough cargo space. My crates would fit if the seats folded flat. Without that … not enough room. Just gimme a couple extra inches of space, please!
These problems are enough to rule the FJ out as my own personal dogmobile, and that’s a shame, because frankly, there are few vehicles I’ve tested that I’ve enjoyed driving so much. The looks of it, with its retro styling, are a matter of personal preference. Like the Honda Element, you’re going to love FJ’s throw-back looks, or hate it — no in-betweens. Reactions over the weekend backed up my hunch: People either exclaimed that it was the ugliest thing they’d ever seen — or the coolest. (And “the coolest” was in the majority.)
This is a serious off-road vehicle. At the hunt test site, we were in valley, down a steep and deeply rutted dirt road. I could tell some of the folks with vans and even two-wheel-drive pick-ups were just a little nervous about the trip up out of the valley. Not me. I didn’t even have to engage the four-wheel drive. The FJ shifted to “Low” powered up the road like it was cruising down the interstate.
And on that interstate, by the way, it was a very comfortable ride.
I think if you live in snow country or do a lot of off-roading and have just one large dog (or smaller ones than I do), you’ll love the FJ. For me though, I have to say with no small measure of regret: So close, so close, but it just won’t work for me.
With a price just under $30,000 for completely blinged-out model with off-road credentials out the wazoo and a base price in the lower regions of $23,000, it’s a great vehicle for the right person. Fuel economy would be an acceptable 17/21 mpg were it not for requiring premium gas.
Final note: Be prepared to turn heads if you buy an FJ Cruiser, even if you don’t get it in the color “Sun Fusion” (a/k/a “taxicab” yellow). I haven’t driven anything yet that drew such interest from everyone who saw it.
-- Gina Spadafori
Carguy Comments:The FJ Cruiser features a 4.0-liter, 6-cylinder engine providing 239 horsepower requiring 91-octane unleaded fuel. The FJ is available in rear-wheel, two-wheel-drive or part-time four-wheel-drive with five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. Cargo capacity is 66.8 cubic feet and the emissions rating is LEV II.
-- Keith Turner, The Family Car
FJ Cruiser: A real head-turner
Barking Lot Banter: Toyota’s rough and rugged FJ Cruiser is prepared to tackle any field training challenge you wish. Single dog owners or those with small pups will enjoy the eye-catching FJ for its versatility off-road and drivability on the freeway. And you certainly can’t beat the “coolness” factor.
Comments
I love my FJ. I put in a barrier behind the back seats and my german shepherd has enough room back there for the car ride. Not like she lives back there.
I don’t have any alarm problems. I only wish there was something to put in the back window so I can leave it open and the dog can’t escape.
If you don’t like the fuel economy, don’t by an SUV haha.
2008-07-22 18:59:56
The FJ is perfect for Dog owners. I have 2 huskeys & Three Kids. We all fit very well. The back window can be opened with a key ring and a Carabinas. The interior can be wiped down (seats & floors) with a towel- great feature. The back Seats can go nearly flat – not that big of deal? The mat purchased at the Toyota dealership fixes the scraches in the plastic problem in the back. The Truck will climb a tree – it can and will go anywhere!!! No other car/ truck looks like it on the road. I didn’t want to look like every other ho-hum SUV / CUTE-UTE / Crossover out on the current market. Can ya tell I really love my FJ? Eric
2008-07-22 17:51:51
I have a silver 2008 FJ and bought it for my 6 dogs. Yes 6. 4 are small and 2 are big girls. I love it and so does the family. Yesterday I got my fold-up ramp (from Fetchdog.com). It is a rubber type, fold up ramp that supports 140 lbs. I can’t wait to try it out. Austin is hot this July so we have to wait until late evening to get out. I have nothing but good things to say about the FJ looks and driving experience. The only thing, which has been mentioned several times, is the fixed back window. Someone said it cracks open. I need to head out to the garage and check this out! This would be amazing. For style, functionality, safety and comfort, I give the FJ 5 paws. Note: I am a long time Toyota owner for the quality they always deliver.
2008-07-17 08:55:49
I love my FJ Cruiser!
No alarm feature on mine. A few comments though:
For a flat back: fold the bottom of the seat first, tuck the head rests between the seat and the front seats, and fold the back down.
The back window does not roll down, but it does open out!
-Janine
2008-06-10 13:08:20
I love my FJ and so do my 4 dogs, 2 lab mixes, 2 shepherd mixes. Yes it would be nice to crack the rear windows, but they manage. I love how easy it is to keep clean with dogs. I throw down a blanket so they don’t slid around and all is fine. I also do not have the alrm, so that is not an issue for me.
2008-05-29 16:35:41
I am going to buy an FJ at the beginning of next year.
With the seats folded down, can a 46 inch crate fit in the back?
Or what is the largest size you can fit back there?
I have a German Shepherd, and he requires a larger crate.
Thanks
Jack
2008-04-20 17:35:40
We eventually sold our FJ Cruiser because we have dogs (a Bouvier des Flandres, and a Mini Schnauzer). The FJC proved to get far worse MPG’s than what Toyota claimed (I’m soft on the pedal getting 60mpg often with our Jetta TDi). Cleap plastic scratches easily, and the interior is a tight fit for large dogs (look at the interior fenders). Rear seats DO NOT fold down flat at all. A real dissappointment.
Now waiting for the new Subaru Forester TDi (40mpg)
2008-03-16 21:08:36
Love my FJ, and so do my 6 labs! The seat does fold down flat without a problem if done properly. No alarm, so that is not an issue. I just spread out a few washable old area rugs, and we are on the road! Thumbs up to owning an FJ while owning a bunch of real dogs!
2008-02-27 19:46:01
I own a 2007 FJ Cruiser and the manual clearly states to use 87 octane, not premium. Am I missing something here or am I the only one who reads owners manuals these days?
2008-02-25 18:37:11
People, the back seats do fold down flat. You have to remove the head rests!
2008-02-22 09:43:04
My two pups and I love my FJ. It’s a little tricky with a large crate, and when the seats are folded down the backs are slippery for puppy paws. I’m going to get a carpet or something to cover the whole back and then install a grate. I don’t have the alarm either, so I’m good with leaving the girls alone for a while.
2008-01-19 13:30:02
I’ve driven the 2007 FJ for a year and a half now. I don’t have the alarm “feature” so no worries there. I LOVE the rubber interior and hosing it out after a muddy day of off-roading and camping with the kids and dogs. I don’t have a problem with the seats not going 100% flat, they get close enough for my needs. I do wish I could crack the back window for our Lab and German Shorthair though…
2008-01-16 10:37:09
I’ve driven the 2007 FJ for a year and a half now. I don’t have the alarm “feature” so no worries there. I LOVE the rubber interior and hosing it out after a muddy day of off-roading and camping with the kids and dogs. I don’t have a problem with the seats not going 100% flat, they get close enough for my needs. I do wish I could crack the back window for our Lab and German Shorthair though…
2008-01-16 10:15:46
I’ve driven the 2007 FJ for a year and a half now. I don’t have the alarm “feature” so no worries there. I LOVE the rubber interior and hosing it out after a muddy day of off-roading and camping with the kids and dogs. I don’t have a problem with the seats not going 100% flat, they get close enough for my needs. I do wish I could crack the back window for our Lab and German Shorthair though…
2008-01-16 10:15:30
I’ve owned my all black special edition FJ for about 8 months now (about 10,000 miles). My wife and I have travelled as much as 5 hrs in this vehicle with luggage, crate, and our two labs! It has been great! While it isn’t perfect, I have not experience any of the concerns mentioned above.
Here’s what I like about it: Swing out rear door access makes it easy getting dogs in/out, seats are water-resistant and clean easily, composite flooring (ie no carpet) makes it easy to clean so no worries about muddy dog paws. Also, the alarm is an option which I don’t have so no worries.
And I am not sure if you knew this, but the seats DO fold (nearly) flat…you must fold up the seat bottom FIRST, then fold down the back. It goes flat. Also, the premium fuel requirement is to conform with the ebst emissions and mpg estimates stated…you can use regular or mid-grade, but at the cost of some power and fuel economy (I avg 2 miles per gallon less on sub-premium fuel, so it is worth the extra $2.50 per tank to put in the good stuff!)
One downside not mentioned though…the rear door windows do not go down. With big dogs though, they still manage to stick their heads out the huge front window!!!
2008-01-11 11:34:46
I’ve been enamored with the FJ ever since it debuted and I still crank my head to look whenever one passes by. My wife and I enjoy taking dogs with us whenever we go to the beach/park/outing and they love sticking their heads out of the rear seat passenger windows and tailgate on our ‘90 4Runner. The new FJ doesn’t afford the same luxuries for dogs so we’re thinking we’ll go with a newer 4Runner and just keep admiring the FJ whenever one passes by.
2008-01-06 05:47:43
Premium gas!!!!! My REAL, vintage FJ40 is out in the garage laughing and laughing, because now it’s safe from replacement.
Nancy & the agileshelties
2007-09-25 16:22:34
Several FJ owners have e-mailed me with a simple solution to it, so don’t let the alarm issue slow you down.
It’s a fun vehicle and a real head-turner. If you don’t need a LOT of cargo room, and especially if you love off-roading … go for it! Gina
2007-09-17 13:36:14
I’m looking for a replacement vechicle for my dog. Maybe do not need such a newer vechicle, but I’m one that likes the look of the FJ. However, my dog would not like it.. setting off the alarm and all. Seats not going flat.. design flaw.. so.. gotta wait until they tweak that out. How long has Toyota been desiging cars?? Please.. it’s a piece of cake. Someone must have fallen asleep at the wheel on this one!
jbells & potterb
2007-09-17 13:10:44
I love my FJ Cruiser and so do my two German Shepherds! Its so easy to clean and a huge step up from having them both sit in the back seat of my Tacoma (there’s NO WAY I would ever let them ride in the bed!)
I don’t have the alarm problem that was mentioned and the rare times that they have to sit in the car a while I have a bungee cord that opens the window enough for some cool air to get in.
2008-07-24 17:17:08