Rugged and versatile, a bear off-road, even tolerably compliant on-road - all of this describes the 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser. This four-door, five-passenger, midsize SUV has the look of a brawler, and why shouldn’t it? It’s from the same people who manufacture the Land Cruiser, about as all-terrain-conquering an SUV as these things get. Available in a single trim that’s delivered with standard rear-wheel drive, this competent sport ute can be optioned with part-time or full-time four-wheel drive (4WD). With the standard automatic transmission and part-time 4WD, the Base morphs into the 4WD AT sub-trim, while full-time 4WD and the available manual transmission result in the 4WD MT sub-trim. Cargo space in all trims is a respectable 66.8 cubic feet, but though it’s called a four-door, the FJ Cruiser has only two full-size front doors, with two rear-opening “suicide doors,” euphemistically called “access doors” by Toyota, in the rear. Meanwhile, a few new and upgraded features are available for 2011, including a new audio system, marginally improved rear-seat access, and folding rear-seat headrests. Additionally, a new FJ Cruiser Trail Team Special Edition sub-trim with Army Green paint, beefed-up underpinnings and water-resistant seats and floors is scheduled to debut later in 2011.
Serious competition for the FJ Cruiser consists of the legendary Jeep Wrangler and Nissan’s family-friendly Xterra. The Wrangler is one of the most off-road-capable vehicles on the face of the planet, while the Xterra, with four full-size doors, eases the burden of entry and exit, as well as flaunting its own off-road flair. Reviewers, however, describe the FJ Cruiser as a serious backwoods brawler that demonstrates surprisingly comfortable on-road manners - better, indeed, than either of the others.
The standard (and only) powerplant for the 2011 FJ Cruiser is a 260-hp, 271-lb-ft/torque 4.0-liter V6 engine. When mated with the standard 5-speed automatic in the rear-wheel-drive Base, the V6, packing variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i), ensures 17/22 mpg, and in the 4WD AT, marginally less. A 6-speed manual transmission is available in the 4WD MT sub-trim that’ll get 15/20, and the six-banger is capable of towing 5,000 pounds with the optional trailer hitch and wiring installed. The part-time 4WD AT features manual hi-lo gear selection and auto-locking hubs, while the full-time 4WD MT boasts hi-lo gear selection and locking center and rear differentials.
Standard skid plates and 17-inch wheels complement this able bushwhacker’s rugged good looks, while premium cloth upholstery pampers passengers inside. Additional cabin amenities include power door locks, tilt-wheel steering, air conditioning and a simulated alloy steering wheel with mounted audio controls. Entertainment and techno-gadgetry includes a single-CD player with six speakers, satellite radio, a USB connection and Bluetooth hands-free phone technology.
Standalone options include upgraded TRD (Toyota Research Department) 16- and 17-inch alloy and aluminum wheels, rock rails, running boards, a locking rear differential, roof rack and an iPod interface kit. Interior- and appearance-oriented option packages include the Convenience Package with remote keyless entry, cruise, power mirrors and a rear-view camera, as well as the Upgrade Package with 17-inch alloy wheels, a 6-CD changer with 11 speakers and rear parking sensors. Performance option packages, meanwhile, include the Off-Road Package, with trail-tuned Bilstein shock absorbers, Active Traction Control (A-TRAC) and a multi-information dashboard display, and the TRD Package, with 16-inch six-spoke alloy wheels, all-terrain tires and high-speed tuned Bilstein shocks.
Standard safety equipment aboard the 2011 FJ Cruiser includes four-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, and front head-restraint whiplash protection. Daytime running lights, meantime, are optional.
Limited visibility, difficulty in accessing the rear seats, and some cramped quarters when the rear seats are reached are a few glitches owners find with the current edition of the FJ Cruiser. Also those pesky rear seats don’t fold all the way flat, causing a bit of owner frustration when proper cargo stowage is needed. Positive owner feedback, on the other hand, notes the toughness and versatility of this midsize ute, as well as its surprising on-road manners and decent acceleration, leading a number of owners to describe it as “fun to drive.” Off-road capabilities and its especially traction-savvy demeanor in snowy conditions also have owners praising this capable cruiser.
I just bought a 2011 FJ Cruiser. I noticed that the rear clamshell door drops about an 1/8" to 1/4" when opening. When closing it line right back up. There does not seem to be any rubbing marks and the door is solid on hinges when open. Is this normal for this vehicle …. I have not seen another vehicle to compare.
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 11
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.3 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: drivers seat · Dash trim: metallic · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front and rear · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: manual rear seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: driver
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.73 · Locking differential: rear
Engine
Exhaust: performance
Exterior Features
Brush guard: for headlights · Bumper underguard(s): front and rear · Door handle color: metallic · Fender lip moldings: black · Front bumper color: black · Mirror color: silver-painted · Mudguards: front · Paint: special factory paint · Rear bumper color: black · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Adjustable rear headrests: foldable · Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
Lights
Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 40-60 split bench
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Cover: hard shell · Mount Location: outside · Size: full-size
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.7 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.7
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 30 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 20 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Diameter: 17 · Type: all season · Width: 265
Tires and Rims
Wheels: alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: manual flip-up · Privacy glass: rear
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Auxiliary audio input: jack · CD changer: 6 · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 11
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.3 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: drivers seat · Dash trim: metallic · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: rubber · Floor Mats: front and rear · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: manual rear seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: driver
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
4WD Type: part time · Axle ratio: 3.90 · Locking differential: rear · Transfer Case: manual hi-lo gear selection
Engine
Exhaust: performance
Exterior Features
Brush guard: for headlights · Bumper color: black · Bumper underguard(s): front and rear · Door handle color: metallic · Fender lip moldings: black · Front bumper color: black · Grille color: black · Mirror color: silver-painted · Mudguards: rear · Paint: special factory paint · Rear bumper color: black · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Adjustable rear headrests: foldable · Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
Lights
Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Auto-dimming mirrors: rearview · Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 40-60 split bench
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Cover: hard shell · Mount Location: outside · Size: full-size
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.7 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.7
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 30 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 20 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Diameter: 16 · Type: all season · Width: 245
Tires and Rims
Wheels: aluminum
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 6
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: manual flip-up · Privacy glass: rear