Army Green? And it’s drab too, other than a gloss finish. Yeah, might’ve even been cooler if Toyota had given it a coat of matte paint, all the rage in tuning and exotic circles right now, but it’s

One cool SUV, the FJ Cruiser is as tough in character as it looks. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

pretty stylin’ just the same. Especially nice because the FJ Cruiser carries the colour theme inside, where exposed panels give it a retro feel that combines with high-tech aluminum-look highlights, industrial design elements, and gauges galore!

Most noticeable is the three-dial set atop the dash, showing off Temp, Inclinometer and Compass readouts, all of which can prove extremely useful during extreme off-road adventures. And yes, the FJ is thoroughly capable of such outings without any aftermarket upgrades, although your dealer will be quick to point out that it could be made even more capable with a few TRD (Toyota Racing Development) add-ons, available from their parts counter.

The

Some people don't like the white roof, but I like its retro appeal and it's also better at keeping things cool in the sun. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser that I was given during an all-truck on- and off-road event held in Muskoka, Ontario this week was purely stock, and the trails we took it through were first, comfortably sedate, and second, reasonably torturous, so as to remind me of how ruddy impressive this little SUV is off the beaten path.

The reminder was of a trip to Ottawa that Toyota took me on when the original FJ Cruiser was introduced three years ago. With the company’s consent we did our darnedest to run them ragged, including flinging them through a high-speed gravel pit rally course, bouncing them up a 300-foot vertical incline of boulders, and lastly the test that wasn’t planned, sloshing through a 100-foot long hip-high puddle of standing water that we actually managed to lap up on top of the

Almost nothing stops a Land Cruiser, and little gets in the way of the FJ either. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

hood and splash against and over the windscreen. We figured after dozens and dozens of runs, each one faster than the last, we’d be able to swamp it (insert mischievous laugh here), but the FJ lived up to its legendary initials and made us look like school kids playing in the sandbox with our Tonka trucks.

A brief backgrounder re the Cruiser’s FJ origins: it pulls design elements from the original Land Cruiser FJ40 (1960–1984), a now classic Toyota jeep, or rather Jeep killer that will cost you almost as much to buy used as an FJ Cruiser is to buy new, nowadays, sometimes more if its fully restored with a four-cylinder diesel under its double-latched hood. Alas, the new FJ gets no diesel, but its torque-rich, dual variable valve timing with intelligence-enhanced

Believe me, this was a steep and slippery rock climb. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

4.0-litre V6 is upgraded for 2010 with more output at 259hp and a V8-like 270 lb-ft of torque, and living the brand’s new “More Power, Less Fuel” mantra, will give you a 5% reduction in fuel costs for an estimated 13.7 city, 10.3 highway and 12.2 combined L/100km in 6-speed manual guise, or 12.5, 9.6 or 11.2 with the 5-speed automatic.

And you can really feel the extra 20hp on pavement, where the FJ outshines all off-road capable competitors within a similar price bracket. Unlike either Jeep’s Wrangler Unlimited or Hummer’s H3, the FJ sports a much smoother standard powertrain with a lot more output, plus a double-wishbone independent front suspension setup that might put off some diehard 4x4 purists looking for live axles at both ends (the FJ has a live or solid axle in the rear), but for weekend heroics on intermediate trails it’s more than capable with 200 mm (7.87 inches) of wheel travel up front for superb suspension articulation and 231 mm (9.1 inches) of wheel travel in the back, all kept in check via tubular shock absorbers and an anti-sway bar for the former and a four-link coil-spring setup with a lateral rod, tubular shock absorbers and an anti-sway bar in the rear. It all delivers an excellent ride quality and stability through corners on the way to the trailhead. Toyota tuned that suspension setup with stabilizer bars and a rear lateral track bar for 2010, the latter especially useful on rough terrain where the FJ utilizes part-time four-wheel-drive and a two-speed transfer case that’s controllable via a floor mounted shifter next to the regular gear changer.

I

Let's go play in the mud! (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

4x4ed both manual and automatic equipped FJ’s, and while the autobox is easier for obvious reasons (all you have to do is steer, apply brake pressure occasionally and modulate the throttle, allowing for left foot braking and constant pressure on the go pedal), both are highly suited to the job at hand. Using left foot braking allows the FJ’s various electronics systems to manage traction, and believe me when I say that off-roading has never been as easy as it is now. Active Traction Control (A-TRAC), with a cutoff switch, and vehicle stability control (VSC) take over where planks and sandbags were needed before, while the antilock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA) can be as critical off the beaten path as on the tarmac. Other safety features include standard Active Front Headrests with whiplash protection, and six airbags including roll-sensing front and rear head/side curtain airbags.

From a packaging perspective the only complaints I’ve ever heard about the FJ are centered on the abbreviated nature of the rear bench seat and the rear-hinged half-doors that access it. They look kind of cool, especially when open in clamshell fashion, exposing the entire interior with no B-pillar to mar the view, but getting people in and out of the back when cars are tightly squeezed at each side can be annoying, if not humourous. On the positive, accessing the generous cargo bay is a rear door that swings on hinges in order to accommodate a full-size spare tire, and to Toyota’s credit the hinges are on the left and handle on the right, allowing access from curbside

Rear-hinged back door can be a bit of a pain and rear seat accommodations a bit cramped. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

instead of the other way around, like the RAV4 and Lexus GX. Toyota should consider this for its other SUVs, as it would be a deal killer for me. A real positive is a rear glass hatch that opens independently, handy for tossing in smaller items. Another complaint, however, is rear visibility, but honestly folks I didn’t have a problem. Sure the rear windows are small, but the side mirrors are gigantic and now Toyota includes a backup camera in the rearview mirror. Yep, problem solved!

If you want the backup camera you’re going to have to option it up with the Offroad Package, strangely enough. Not that a backup camera wouldn’t be helpful when trying to do the Austin Powers shimmy out of a precarious situation between trees

By swinging the rear door of this North American model from the left side, Toyota proves that this is the way to do it for optimal convenience. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

and boulders, but it’s on-road applications are also important as other peoples’ car insurance is at stake too. The Offroad Package is pretty cool, however, as it incorporates front and rear Bilstein shocks, larger 265/75R16 mud + snow tires with raised white letters on unique 16-inch alloy rims (replacing 265/70R17 rubber on 17-inch rims), a folding armrest for the front passenger, rear privacy glass, power adjustable exterior mirrors, cruise control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror (with that integrated backup camera), the aforementioned multi-information display with its floating ball-type compass, thermometer and inclinometer, a roof rack, and keyless entry.

All this gets added to the FJ’s standard list that includes a heavy-duty starter, battery and alternator, splash guards,

The FJ's layout is just plain cool! (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

halogen headlamps with automatic headlamp cancel function, a washable rubber floor and all-weather floor mats, power windows, door locks and tailgate lock, a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat, an illuminated and washable cargo area with cargo lamp, tie down rings, shopping bag/cargo net hooks, coat hooks, and side area storage compartments.

The base FJ also gets its trademark trio of windscreen wipers, as well as a rear window wiper/washer, front seat map lamps, black on white meters including tachometer, voltmeter, water temperature gauge, a 4WD indicator, metallic dash accents,

This is one well-appointed 4x4! (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

air conditioning with cabin air filtration plus rear seat heater ducts, and a 6-speaker audio system with AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA changer and input jack. 

An Adventure Package includes much of the same equipment that comes included with the Offroad Package, such as the passenger armrest, rear privacy glass, power adjustable exterior mirrors, cruise control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with integrated backup camera, multi-information display with floating ball-type compass, thermometer and inclinometer, roof rack, and keyless entry, while an upgraded 8-speaker FJammer stereo with a 6-disc CD changer, rear subwoofer, headliner audio exciters and steering wheel-mounted audio controls is exclusive

Ready for some serious fun? (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

to the package, as is a 115V/400W power outlet in the cargo area, cargo area mat, running boards, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and metallic shift knob (automatic transmission models only), plus and colour-keyed interior door trim.

The 2010 FJ Cruiser with the standard six-speed manual transmission starts at $31,500, while the same car with the automatic costs $32,500. And while the price looks high compared to the base price of a four-door Wrangler Unlimited, it’s better equipped and a lot better made, plus it’s a steal compared to the price of an H3.

When

The FJ is the real 4x4 deal. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

it comes right down to it though, I’m guessing that people aren’t necessarily going to price compare an FJ to an H3 or Wrangler, or a Nissan Xterra for that matter, another worthy contender. You’re either going to want an FJ or you won’t, it’s that unique in its segment and the market in general. What matters is, while unique, it performs its duties almost flawlessly, and should deliver miles of smiles without myriad problems. And that last item is critical, whether commuting to and from work on a daily basis or deep in the woods. The FJ is the real deal, born on the back of the Land Cruiser Prado’s boxed steel ladder-braced frame and totally capable of living up to more than most will put it through.

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