Off-road, the FJ really excels. High off the ground, the FJ manages to navigate difficult terrain without the bothersome idea of dragging debris around underneath it. The four-wheel drive hardware is impressive and heavy duty low-range gears and the locking rear differential allow the FJ to handle even the harshest terrain with relative ease.
That’s not to say the FJ is without fault. Straddling the line between jeep and crossover, the FJ finds itself with several deficiencies. Clamoring into the backseat is a bit difficult and the legroom for rear passengers is tight. The sight-lines and visibilities in the blind-spots are noticeable. Driving the FJ Cruiser though snug city streets is also something of an adventure, especially if you need to sneak it into a tight parking space.
What makes the FJ Cruiser interesting is the competition, or lack thereof. The Jeep Wrangler and Nissan Xterra offer something in the way of similarities, but both excel in either the city or off-road, but not both – just like the rest of the field. The FJ bridges this gap between the ruggedly proficient Wrangler and the more modern city bred SUVs.
Overall, the FJ Cruiser is a somewhat unique vehicle with its own image and versatile capabilities to handle both the pavement and the rugged wildness environment. It handles exceptionally, has enough raw muscle to power through difficult terrain, and is surprisingly comfortable.