Acceleration

4WD, man.	4WD, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5.2

Adequate pep with either transmission, though with automatic, V6 can feel overmatched by vehicle weight in passing maneuvers and on long upgrades. Test 4WD with automatic did 7.2 sec 0-60 mph; no opportunity to time with manual. Manual has long throws but light shift/clutch action.

Fuel Economy

4WD, man.	4WD, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4

Test 4WD manual-transmission FJ averaged 17.2 mpg. Test 4WD automatics averaged 17.3-18.3 mpg. FJ requires premium-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

4WD, man.	4WD, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5.5

Firm, but compliant, suspension combines with tall-sidewall mud and snow tires to flatten most road bumps with little jolt or body quiver. However, relatively short wheelbase results in bouncy body motions on uneven surfaces.

Steering/Handling/Braking

4WD, man.	4WD, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4.5

Tall tire sidewalls, compact wheelbase, crosswind-vulnerable body shape contribute to subpar straightline tracking. Slow, vague steering doesn't help, and also thwarts sense of agility in changes of direction. High build and poor cornering grip from mud and snow tires dictate slowing down for most turns. Good close-quarters maneuverability, and stopping power feels more than adequate. An off-road exercise showed how available A-TRAC system keeps FJ going through very deep ruts and over extra-tall humps.

Quietness

4WD, man.	4WD, auto.	Class Average
4	4	5.6

V6 growls at high rpm, acceptably muted at moderate cruising pace. Angular shape promotes highway wind rush. Tire roar varies with road surface, but isn't irksome even on coarse pavement.

Controls

4WD, man.	4WD, auto.	Class Average
7	7	6.6

Dashboard a bold show of box-shaped modules, but most controls simple, handy, and large. Pushbuttons for various secondary functions are buried low and ahead of shift lever, however. Main gauges fine, but legibility of extra-cost compass, thermometer, inclinometer compromised by their small size, dashtop placement. Functional decor includes washable rubberlike flooring, water-resistant fabric trim, faux metal, body-color painted accents, and some low-budget plastic panels.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

4WD, man.	4WD, auto.	Class Average
7	7	7

Seats all-day comfortable. Good head and leg room for six-footers. Drivers enjoy tilt steering wheel, height-adjustable seat, but styling makes visibility poor to right-rear and dead astern--hence optional rear obstacle detection. Wide doors, moderate step-in height, so entry/exit fairly easy for a truck-type SUV.

Room/Comfort (rear)

4WD, man.	4WD, auto.	Class Average
3	3	6.1

More good six-footer head room, but three adults are squeezed for shoulder space and feel closed-in by thick roof pillars, small side windows. Legroom tight with front seats far back. Ditto entry/exit passages, even though access doors swing out 90 degrees; slide-ahead front seats, as on many coupes, would help. Bench seat suffers short cushion, upright backrest, thin padding.

Cargo Room

4WD, man.	4WD, auto.	Class Average
6	6	8

Useful cargo bay, but volume subpar for midsize-SUV class. Rear seatbacks won't fold flat without seat cushions removed. Rear cargo door opens from curbside, but feels heavy, clumsy with weighty bolt-on spare tire that greatly hampers loading through opening window. Ample in-cabin storage.

Value within Class

4WD, man.	4WD, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5.9

The FJ pays a price for its exaggerated styling and off-road-biased engineering: On-road performance and daily practicality don't match those of less-radical rivals. However, it is solidly built and looks like no other SUV.

Total Score

4WD, man.	4WD, auto.	Class Average
50	50	58.4

Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		48
Average Score		58
High Score		69