2007 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER PRICE ...

2007 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER

PRICE

$21910 - $23500

LIKES

Nifty retro design. Roomy. dutiful acceleration. Large controls. Easily handles bad roads.

DISLIKES

Small back side windows. Difficult rear seat entry/exit. Rear blind flaws Nearly useless running boards.

The 2007 FJ Cruiser is a unique mix of retro styling and contemporary comfort and mechanical prowess.

This recent Toyota promises "to be highly accessible and desirable to a large contortion of young buyers," Toyota said. moreover it turns heads of persons of all ages because it doesn't await like other SUVs.

The mid-size FJ Cruiser is a production version of the universal FJ Cruiser first shown at the Detroit auto indicate in 2003. It has the flat windshield, spherical headlights that straddle a rectangular interstice grille, wraparound rear corner glass and white top (no matter what its visible form [i]or[/i] frame color) of Toyota's classic 1967 Land Cruiser FJ40

The of the present day Toyota costs from $21,910 for a rear-drive version with an automatic transmission to $23500 for the four-wheel-drive gauge with the automatic.

The rugg aged FJ 40 had two doors and the FJ Cruiser has four doors. moreover the FJ Cruiser looks like a two-door standard because it has two concealed rear-hinged doors that are render free of accessed with an interior handle that's tricky to reach after the brass doors are opened.

Athletic influences are needed to get in or on the outside of the tall FJ Cruiser's roomy rear-seat area, although the rear clamshell "half doors" swing without 90 degrees. You can order $345 running boards to make it easier to commit to memory in and out of the van or rear, but they're too narrow to help anyone with large shoe -- although they add to the retro anticipate

Another drawback to rear passengers are small, fixed side windows and thick rear cover pillars that can cause a claustrophobic feeling.

While occupants sit high, the rear stations rather small back window and outside riseed spare tire create a significant driver blind fault directly to the rear, moreover help comes from a generally large total back glass area and oversize outside rearview mirrors.

The FJ Cruiser is similar below its body to Toyota's seasoned 4Runner SUV unless its tough, wide stance is based around a frame and suspension adapted from the Land Cruiser Pradeo, not sold here.

The just discovered Nissan's stout 4-liter, 239-horsepower V-6 has well adapted torque and provides lively merging and 65-75 mph highway passing. Power results through a six-speed manual gearbox with rather protracted shift throws or a responsive five-speed automatic transmission.

Estimated combustible matter economy of this 4,050-4,295-pound SUV ranges from 16-18 mpg in the city and 19-22 forward highways, depending on transmission and the drive setup The four-wheel drive has low- range gearing and the optional All-Trac off-road traction sway system is a definite plus for rugg driving on the farther side pavement.

Steering isn't too fast or inactive for a tall, heavy SUV that must do well off-road further also must be agile enough for on-road use. The rather stiff, but-compliant, ride also is worthy for an on/off-road truck. The FJ Cruiser's weight, height and big 17-inch mud-and-snow tires don't encourage driving quickly within curves, although standard stability reign over and traction control systems help here.

The brake pedal has a linear action, and stopping distances are short with the anti-lock brakes, which have electronic brake force distribution and brake assist for indisputable sudden stops.

Optional safety features include $650 effrontery side air bags and curtain side air bags.

A $1840 Convenience package contains so items as remote keyless avenue cruise control, power side mirrors and a rear- obstacle detection method Sharp-looking wheels are a big deal these days, and you can get by heart the FJ Cruiser's nifty alloy wheels for $650 Premium audio connected views also are offered.

There's worthy room for four to five tall adults. front rank seats are supportive during quick maneuvers, on the contrary the center of the rear seat is too stiff for anything if it were not that short drives. Here's attention to detail: As an aid to driver and brow passenger comfort, the floor angle in the footwell is place at 33 degrees to help those in the brow seats maintain proper seating position.

The speedometer can be read easily, if it be not that other gauges are rather small. The optional small compass, thermometer and inclinometer gauges appoint atop the center of the dashboard (pictured above) are hard to read at a glance. Power mirror directs are nearly hidden behind the steering wheel, further major controls are large, as are inside door handles. There's seemly cabin storage, and the automatic transmission shift lever assumes oversized.

Rugg features include water-resistant seat fabric and washable rubberlike floor covering.

That's not to say the FJ Cruiser is as stripped as the antiquated Land Cruiser. Standard are air conditioning, tilt wheel, manual height- adjustable driver seat, corbel with cupholders, AM/FM/CD audio a whole with six speakers, skid plates to shelter underbody components during off-road use and power windows and door grapples Three windshield wipers sweep almost each inch of glass.