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Toyota FJ Cruiser vs Jeep Wrangler
How's the new FJ Cruiser going to stack up against the venerable Wrangler?
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"I'll maybe give the Jeep Rubicon a slight advantage in pure off-road ability, but only because of the Wrangler's tidier dimensions, not because it has superior equipment or any other inherent "capability" advantage. And in terms of everything not related to going off road, the FJ pummels the Wrangler (BTW, I'm a big Jeep Wrangler fan, but I'm not going to let that fact warp reality)."
Toyota FJ Cruiser vs. Jeep Wrangler (Karl on Cars)
Steve, Host
4:11 gearing
more useable torque in the low end
heavy duty u-joints
Good Year MTRs
front and rear air lockers
dana 44 axles
fold down windshield
removeable top
removeable doors
Coil Suspension
Not to mention huge aftermarket offroad support. I'm sure the FJ will be very capable, but to say it's more capable than Jeeps except for the Rubicon is ridiculous. Karl has no idea what he's talking about, and then to say that it's equipment is comparable to the Rubicon is ridiculous.
I think Karl's got one up on you. He's actually driven one (and he likes jeeps).
I don't know yet how it will stack up (I'll reserve opinion until I've driven one), but having owned a Jeep previously and a couple LC's today, I can speak from experience, if you get the jeep, better put in the budget a bunch of tows when things start breaking.
Nope, don't need to drive one to dispute what Karl said, besides, who has driven one besides the auto journalists? This topic was started based on Karl's artile, the first road test, and knowledge of current Jeeps.
Karl said he gave the edge to the Rubicon based on dimensions not on equipment. I just gave you a list that the cruiser doesn't match. It does have a rear electric locker and slip. The Rubicon has air lockers front and rear and helical limited slip. Every other edge would go to the Rubicon except for out-of-the box tire size, which is an inch larger over the current Rubicon. The engine alone gives the Rubicon the advantage offroad. I have driven Toyotas with that engine and the Jeep inline six has much greater low end torque, which is what you need off road.
And as far as things breaking, check out the Wrangler foruma and you'll see that the vast majority of Wrangler owners find the vehicle to be tremendously reliable. I have yet to have one mechanical issue in 13K miles. I could not say the same, however, for our Toyota Avalon, which had to have a new transmission at 10K miles.
I'm really not trying to bash the Toyota. In fact, over all, I'm sure it is much more liveable than a Jeep. I'm sure it's much better on the road, but to say it rivals a Rubicon is premature at best. Before he says that, he needs to put them head to head in a true offroad test with several drivers, particularly drivers who know how to drive off road.
I also know that one experience isn't necessarily indicative of all experiences but... I have two LC's, 97 and 99. Both have over 115k miles. I did have to change a starter in the 97 ($250) a few months ago, but other than that... nothing.
I owned a Cherokee with the inline 6 for 4 yrs. At 5k mile a caliper froze. 15k miles the fuel injection system failed, and I constantly had major issues with hesitation on any trip over 2 hours. At 38k the clutch's went (why two in that vehicle, I don't know)... and then the replacements went at 62k. I traded in at that point. Like I said, that's one person's experience but I bet Consumer Reports wouldn't rate the Wrangler anywhere near as well as any Toy truck.
I think the major weakness in the FJ will be the lack of solid front axle and no front locker.
b/t/w, if Jeep sold a high quality product, I'd probably prefer it to the FJ. Would have liked to have seen Toy remake the FJ more like the old ones (very similar to today's Jeeps which haven't really changed in 30 years)
I'll end up keeping the LC's... but look forward to seeing the debate.
I briefly looked a the FJ at the LA Auto Show. My other half took one look at it and said he didn't like it, so we didn't spend much time (can't say if the seats are any better than the Tacomas. If not there's no way I'd buy one). The thing I noticed was on one that they had tricked out. It had the winch mounted behind the grille. My first thought that this would be really awkward - poor access. The way the bumper fits on the front of the vehicle, it looked like there isn't any other choice without doing some extensive modification (not as simple as changing the bumper like on the Wrangler). Do others see this as a potential problem?
Jeep has certainly suffered from reliablity issues on some models. We also have an 04 Grand Cherokee 4wd that has been in the shop for stupid things, like window actuators, but still we love Jeeps. It is one of the most recognizeable vehicles in the entire world, not to mention one of the most capable. This new FJ, unfortunately, cannot compete with that.
In reality, the FJ40's were so much more expensive than the Wrangler back in the day... if you were in the market for that type of vehicle, you bought the FJ if you had money... the Wrangler if you didn't.
We'll need some vocal FJ owners on this board in March when someone has actually driven one... or this place will be over-run with you Wrangler folks!
How about "moderately reliable." I've owned two over the past 10 years, including my current 98. It's had three semi-serious repairs (new radiator, new coil, and the infamous cracked exhaust manifold) a few small ones (leaking rear pinion seal, intermittent gauges). It's not self-imploding like a Volkswagen, but it's not worry-free either.
The new FJ doesn't do much for me though. Maybe if I saw one in person.
It will be interesting to see how well received they are, and how quickly there will be aftermarket options available. One of the things the Wrangler has going for it is how easily customizable it is.
this 4runner owner thinks the 2007 wrangler far surpasses the cruiser.
the toyota is a gimmicky thing designed to appeal to posers.
have you seen the 2007 jeep? it rocks.
the jeep is nice because it is truer to the utilitarian ideal, and it will be hard for toyota to beat jeep when jeep offers you different wheel lengths, different tops, etc.
i've owned both toyotas and jeep suvs, and they seem to be about equal in reliability -- maybe the statistics will weigh in favor of toyota, but the difference really aint that much.
video filmed on the rubicon trail? Give me a break. Oh and how about that beast of and
engine jeep has decided to put in the wrangler. That really gets my pulse jumping...
Due to reliability issues and a lack of space, my friend just dumped his wrangler for a
4x4 tacoma. He says he'll never go back. If this FJ model doesn't get your attention,
maybe the Moab edition due out next fall will. Either way, get used to it.
When I go camping, and the weather turns bad, I like the option of sleeping in the vehicle. I'm positive the FJ would be better; I'll have to measure it, and see if the front seats fold forward.
I think the Xterra is much closer to an FJ than a Wrangler. The closest thing Jeep has to the FJ is the Liberty.
Ship building huh? Well that sounds pretty interesting too. I bet you have a lot of good stories to tell from your experience there too - Any kind of engineering interests me, especially the ones that have to do with transportation.
Hey, didn't you buy one of those 2007 Wranglers? 4 door? How do you like it so far?
Happy trails
Interestingly, the Xterra won. (They tested a Grand, not a TJ, for the Jeep entry). The H3 blew chunks. Well, not really, but I've driven it, and it was a bit silly. But less silly than the H2. Too bad the H4 got delayed.
The all-steel wheels look a little weird on such a "techno" styled truck. Otherwise, there was lots of positive. I think it's a lot bigger than I imagine from the pictures, as my Wrangler is very narrow. Overall, I see it as taking the best features from the Element and Wrangler and combining them. The question is, would Wrangler owners give up the convertible options and some at the limit off-road capability for a little better mileage and Toyota reliability. Even the price will be pretty close.
In the end, I can't wait to see the 07 Wrangler interior up close. It addresses almost everything I would improve on the current version. I think it outclasses the FJ in that category.
As my excellent Odyssey minivan can not take me to some of the spots in the mountains I like, I will be getting an FJ when the prices settle down.
I will get the dead base AT model, it will get close to invoice eventually, will put front and rear ARB air lockers and bolt on rock rails. That will make it quite a capable vehicle, with a lot of utility, for much less $$ then a Wrangler.
ARB bull bar, winch, OME susp, to lift it an inch or two - maybe to fit 33" - will wait if needed - if I manage to tear up stock bumpers that is, and if I really need a fixed winch over usual slow high-lift jack pull or a portable. But I doubt I will need that. That's not for hard core wheeling - but it will make it up almost any road in Sierra Nevada.
Rear axel in FJ is on par with 44, front is OK, with 8" diff gear (7.5 was too weak). transfer case does suck, but not too much. IFS - well, it is more capable then most drivers. And it can actually drive fast. And it is 200 miles to get to the mountains here.
Wrangler is too small, not much, if any, better then my intended setup for off roading, handles on road much worse, and it is somewhat more expensive.
Now Toyota has revived the FJ, and promoted it through print and video adds as an incredible 4x4 for the 21st century. Leaning heavily on the original FJ’s good reputation, Toyota seems to hope we will consider this new product as an option for the serious off-roader. BUT Does it stack up to it’s serious competition: The Jeep Wrangler?????? Lets see:
Comparing the best of the best, we pit the 2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon’s specs against the 2006 Toyota FJ Cruiser C package (the best they offer for off-road).
Turning Circle Curb to Curb – Jeep: 33.5ft, FJ:41.7ft, difference: you need 8.2 more feet to turn around in the Toyota.
Minimum Ground Clearance – Jeep: 10.3in., FJ:9.6in, difference: you can drive over boulder’s that are 0.7” higher with the Jeep.
Approach/Departure Angle – Jeep: 44.9/33.9, FJ: 34/31, difference: you can tackle steeper embankments without digging the bumpers into the dirt if you have the Jeep.
Crawl Ratio – Jeep: 66:1.0!!!!!!, FJ 41.8:1.0 ???? duh??
Bumpers – Jeep: Steel with tow hooks, FJ: Plastic with NO tow hooks, Comment: PLASTIC?????? How Fisher Price.
Locking Differential Axles – Jeep: lockers in the front and back, FJ: Rear Locker only
Suspension – Jeep: solid axle front and back, FJ: independent front and solid rear, difference: Solid is solid! with better articulation, Toyota needs to look back at the ORIGINAL FJ!
Tires – Jeep: 31” Good Year Mud Terrain, FJ: 265/70R17 All Season Wadials – Cwazzie Wabbit
Wheel base – Jeep: 93.4in, FJ: 105.9in, difference: 12.5in, if you’re thinking FJ at this point you might also consider a yellow school buss as an off-roading option.
Tread – Jeep: 59.5in, FJ: 63.2in, difference: 3.4in, Hmmmm Hope all the trees on the trails are further apart than 63.3in!!
Weight – Jeep: 3776lbs, FJ: 4290lbs, difference 514lbs, That’s like four of your buddies or two fat chicks!
Engine – FJ: 278TQ & 239hp, Jeep: 235TQ & 195hp, difference: ok the new FJ’s variable valve timing engine has some more hp and more torque. However where you need the torque for most trail driving is just above idle. The Jeep’s 4.0L in-line six produces an incredible 85% of it’s peak torque at idle. This makes for about 200ft-lbs. Oddly enough the Toyota 4.0L V-6 produces the same amount at idle. So even here the Jeep is not really handicapped. Furthermore, that extra 514lbs of lard the Toyota carries around soaks up the extra hp and TQ difference to make things pretty even in this department.
Well I guess I could go on and on, but really if Toyota thought they were making a trail rig to beat out Jeep’s best, it looks like they should try again. This is while neglecting to mention that the new FJ’s doors are not easily removed, the top does not come off, and the windshield does not fold down. My prediction is that Toyota will sell piles of these FJs in the first two years as novelty vehicles just as Chrysler did with the PT Cruiser. However, off-road, when every one sees the Wrangler beat the snot out of it like Mike Tyson on Pee Wee Herman, the sales party will be over.
Kickin around, I let a few dealers know I was interested in the FJ. All were to be pre ordered but with no hassle to walk away. One dealer called back with a tester – Oh yeah - we went for a ride. Well, not off road, after all I had to bring it back clean.
The bad stuff.
Anyways - in around 80kms/hr the very strong roof rack with multiple cross blades makes a heck of a lot of noise. Makes you think you have real mudders on with only hollow tins between you. Cargo area and back of the rear seats are plastic lined but the seats don’t fold down flat. To bad, if they did you might just have enough room to sleep diagonal. If the weather gets nasty, there is definitely not enough room to sleep in with the highly tilled rear folded seats. I also felt like drop kickin those cheap plastic front corner bumpers. Front wheel wells have floppy inner void cover that may not last. Side and rear door thresholds for stepping on are poorly supported plastic that dip and distort under light foot pressure. It is very wide, oh you’ll have fun finding parking locations you can open the doors in. Off road – lots of other options and what is with the no diesel option in North America.
Good STUFF
This puppy is made for where it will be used most of the time, city. It has great visibility, high as any full size truck. The automatic with slip shift and multi drive modes is actually tempting to those die hard manual lovers. Specially if cruising in the city. Anyways after I lulled my test driving escort to sleep with my cautious driving we pulled a little foot stomping burnout just trying to see if it could go. Pretty good squeal for not really trying.
By the way I don’t have a real off-roader but have taken more types of domestics further along blown out discontinued logging roads than most wanna-bees can dream of. I drive a standard 97 RAV and I drive the snot out of it. Protect what I can with real synthetic. Actually go off-road once a month and get reasonable mileage. It works on the job site and gets me out fishing. I was just hoping the FJ might fit the bill.
bctrout
As far as first impressions go, I am still not a huge fan of the large C pillars. That being said, GO SEE ONE IN PERSON!!! I did. It is much better looking than in the pics. Also, I test drove one last week, and then immediately placed a deposit for one. PLENTY OF POWER and decent cargo room. I do plan on doing some upgrades, however, including an ARB bull bar and warn winch; Donahoe coil overs, possibly OME in the rear; and American Racing Mojave teflon rims matted to P285 BFG Mud Terrain tires (maybe beadlocks instead; cannot decide). Anyway, it should be a pretty good rig when I am done with it.
Finally, a word regarding off road capability and Jeeps. People seem to defend their CJs Tjs, etc. like one of their own children. A little hint: the Wrangler is not the end all, be all small platform trail and rock rig; that would be the LAND ROVER DEFENDER 90, which I am proud to own. Check the stats on that rig; they're quite nice. I just couldn't wait till the new Defender comes out, which should probably stomp all over the new Heep Rubicon just as my 1994 D90 ST does. Thus the FJ in the interim. (only other vehicle I would consider is a Galaendewagen).
So, I plan on keeping my D90 (nothing like going topless in the summer) and adding the FJ Cruiser primarily because of its better amenities and reliability factor. With both of these rigs I will be unstoppable!!! :shades:
Now, I drove a FJ yesterday...have owned all types of Jeeps over the past 30 years. While I covet the Toyota's quality and on road ride, it cannot fill my need to take to top down, clearly see all the vehicle's corners and achieve maximum articulation with a mild lift (OME 2.5"). I rate the FJ as poor in line of sight over the hood and out the back corners. Yes, the FJ's insides are cool and out pace the TJ, but the TJ we are comparing it too is nearly 10 a year old design. I look forward to wheeling my TJ beside an FJ on the trail one day to get a better idea of its capabilities. Dizzle65, if you are actually buying one and want to wheel it let me know when and where. If you bring the D90, we can enjoy our tops being down while we fix them on the trail. :P
It's pretty wild just to cruise the grocery store parking lot there; you may see a Unimog next to a Pinzgauer next to a Wrangler that requires a step ladder to get in.
Steve, Host
I'm heading to Utah soon for some camping so hope the good weather kicks back in.
Steve, Host
The TJ (Rubicon) is designed to be an off-road vehicle with reasonable road ability. The FJ is designed as a road vehicle with reasonable off-road ability.
So it's a matter of choice: If you really want to go furthest into no-man's land then buy the Jeep. If have a family and need a daily driver that can still do some off-road then buy the FJ. But to compare them head to head really makes no sense. The room and comfort of the FJ exceeds that of the TJ and the TJ would kill the FJ off-road.
That's like saying that I have to pilot a 747 to have an informed opinion about air safety!
tidester, host
The FJ is more comfortable inside than the Wrangler, is significantly bigger and there for has more interior space. It offers easier access to the back seat too. The clutch/starter override button for starting on hills is a nice touch and it would be nice if Jeep included this feature in future Wranglers.
The FJ’s ride stiffer and perhaps in some ways more jarring than the Wranglers, but since the FJ’s wheel base is almost a foot longer than the Wrangler it does not give the front to back buck-board ride exhibited when driving the Jeep over road swells. Cornering is perhaps marginally better than the Wrangler as well. Despite all the extra horse power and VVT the FJ boasts, it did not feel any faster than the Wrangler – probably because the FJ is almost 600 lbs heavier. Both vehicles offer six speed manual transmissions. However the FJ’s shifter seemed notchy and not as smooth as the Jeep’s.
The FJ’s Crawl ratio of 42:1 is respectable, but does not hold a candle to the Rubicon’s 66:1. I found the Wrangler’s visibility from all angles to be far superior to the FJ. The FJ’s high hood combined with the short window made it really terrible to see the ground in front and hard to see even up to close traffic lights when stopped at many intersections. The side and rear visibility were also poor at best.
The FJ’s lack being able to remove the top, doors and fold down the windshield are some of the more obvious short comings, compared to the Jeep, but there is a grocery list of things that are missing if this is to be a real off-road machine. When compared to the Wrangler Rubicons, standard features, like front and back tow hooks, fog lamps, checker plate rocker guards, push button locking front and back axles, and a six point roll cage, the FJ comes up empty. However, some things like a rear only locking axle can be added to the FJ at extra cost. Moreover, the FJ’s all season radials really cant be compared to the Good Year Mud terrains that come standard on every Wrangler Rubicon either.
I found that despite the variable valve timing on Toyota’s V6 it did not have as much bottom end torque as the Wrangler’s 4.0L in line six and I kept stalling the FJ when I tried to crawl it over some of the light off-road terrain. So the FJ really can’t idle over the same kinds of things you would in the Jeep.
Some of the FJ’s equipment really made me shake my head if the really intended this vehicle to be an out- of-the-box off-roader. Unlike the Wrangler’s standard equipment frame rail to frame rail skid plate, the FJ has really nothing protecting the aluminum transfer case from the rocks. Plastic also seems to be the main theme with this vehicle. Starting with the plastic door handles, to the totally plastic bumpers, right down to the plastic gas tank that had NO skid plate protection what so-ever, it seems that FisherPrice might have contracted to do design work here – maybe FJ stands for FisherPrice Jeep?
Pricing is another issue that surprised me. The FJ starts at $32 000 (Canadian). Including the limited number of off-road features Toyota does offer on the FJ you’re going to be pushing $39 000! While you can get a Wrangler Rubicon with all those previously mentioned standard off-road options for about $34 000. So this one seems like a no brainer: get more for less if you buy the Jeep.
Toyota markets it as a hard core off-roader, but unlike the original FJ, it’s really not equipped for this type of service any more than a Jeep Liberty or the new Grand Cherokee, and personally I don’t consider them real trail rigs. If you are a family man and you need a daily driver, and perhaps want to do some light off-roading, the FJ is a good choice. However if you want to be able to drive to the end of the earth and you’re in the market for a truly capable, well equipped 4x4 that you just put the key in and go, there is still only one Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.
If you want to see more on the new Unlimited there is a cool article here:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/AutoshowArticles/articleId=110001
I've had a jeep... and a couple of Toyotas... the Jeep didn't make it to 80k, all of the Toyotas were and still are going strong well over 100k. I spent a lot more on that jeep up to 80k than I have on two LC's over 100k.
If Toyota built the Jeep, I'd buy it. Jeep is kind of like the cubic zirconium (sp?) of off road. Look great, kind of fun to play with, but at the end of the day, they really are worthless.
I have had Jeeps for the last 20 years. Yes, I have heard all the stories about Jeeps unreliability. However, and honestly, I have never had anything major go wrong with any of my Jeeps. I now have a 91 Cherokee 4L with 186,000, A 98 Wrangler 4L with 132,000 and a 2000 JGC with 105,000.
No problems so far at all! My last JGC was a 1993 and I sold it with 189,000 on it(318 V8) and all I did to it was to replace the viscus<sp coupler at 180,000. Not bad!
I never do any regular maintence either! When I get a car I change the oil and filter every 3k and lub it every 3K. I do the air filter about every 10K. I do nothing else unless something breaks.
I do put breaks and standard stuff when it needs it. But no 6K, 15K, 30K 60K scheduled maintence, ever!
Scheduled maintence is not necessary for the new cars. The will all go over 200K if you treat them right. (I do NOT take my Jeeps off road a lot) If I did I would be doing much more maintence on a regular basis.
But to say a Jeep is always breaking down. I would say to that, no more than any other make, including Toyota, Honda, and Land Rover!
NOW, about the new FJ. I don't know anything about it'off road ability, but I did go look at one. It has the poorest visibility of any car I have been in. It's worse than the H2. It's very nicely done on the inside , but the back seat don't really go all the way down.
To me the FJ looks like it's aimed at the older guys like me who wanted one back in the 70's when many of us were in school and couldn't afford one. Now that we can, we also have a wife to live with, so Toyota made a reto, FJ that would be nice enough (soft and cute)so the little lady would let us buy one!
I'm not bashing Toyota (who make great vehicles) but it's not your original FJ. It's not even close. It's a vehical made to look like an FJ and be soft and cute enough for the ladies. That in itself kills it for a really rugged 4X4. But a really rugged 4X4 is not what your wife wants! It's what you want, and sorry, but Toyota has to keep your wives happy or your kids won't buy their cars. So you get a very capable (soft and cute) (socker gramma) SUV.
Now if you want a real good looking, off road, Not so pampering interior 4X4, go look at the new 4 Dr. Jeep Wrangler. It has more interior space than the FJ, and it's not a RETRO, It's style is just like the 1940's original! The new 4 dr. Wrangler als has a rag top, or a 3 piece removable roof! You can take the roof off over the driver, or passanger or off the rest of the back, or all of it. You can take the doors off put the windshield down, etc. It has ele. locking front and rear axles, and a host of other stuff that makes it a real off road 4X4. A rigg you can get dirty. The Jeep and the FJ are two different vehicles, built for two different markets.
Both very good at what they were built for.
I might add, The original Jeep helped win the War against (who) in the Pacific?
So, if Jeeps were really worthless, you would be speaking Japanese and living in a paper house!
Now I HAVE heard that all the owners manuals and info on the FJ are printed in ENGLISH and most of the dealers speak ENGLISH. I don't know of one Jeep dealer that speeks JAPANESE! And my Jeep owners manuals are all printed in ENGLISH!
So my friend, and all you others who buy and use Toyota products, remember, YOU CAN SLEEP WELL TONIGHT,BECAUSE THERE WAS A JEEP WHEN WE NEEDED IT! It's still here, it's still good and it's getting better. AND, Jeep is very happy to have Toyota's as friendly competition now days.
I finally went to a dealership to look at one yesterday... not to buy, keeping my LC's, but to get a feel for what they are really about. Looks like the substance under the body is there, but above the substance, it's got a lot of plastic! Bumpers are silly, almost pulled off the plastic front side piece just checking to see if maybe it was covering some real metal... none there. Interior looked nice, but cavernous. I would tire quickly of the limited view. Noticed that as small as the side and rear windows are, they also have a convenient blacked out circle around the outside that makes the real view even more constricted.
I have to believe that with FJ, they are just beginning the off-road battle for the masses (LC is the king, but not for masses due to $$) and will have to modify the FJ to appeal to the hard core off-road enthusiasts... at least put metal under the plastic?
I've said it before, if Toyota would just build a jeep like vehicle, it would win the battle just for the reliability.
How many Jeeps are sold in Japan? They might have won that part of the war.
All in fun my friend.
Look at the Liberty! I don't think it should be called a JEEP, due to it's styling! It's a "girly Jeep" in my opinion. And it really does appeal to the ladies.
I am going to buy a new Wrangler or the Toyota. I'm going to drive them both on the same day and really put them through their paces
We've owned Toyos, and they're fine, reliable, boring cars. They have no soul or heritage.
Jeep Wranglers are a true piece of Americana with a heritage that no other vehicle on the road can match. Any 5 year-old child can identify a Jeep. In fact, that same child could identify a Jeep from 50 years ago. Is there another car that can say that? Maybe the VW Bug.
If a car is just a piece of transportation to get you from point A to point B, then a Toyota or a Ford Taurus will fill the bill. If you want to be far removed from the mechanics of a vehicle, with no road noise, no engine vibration, no torque, then a Toyota is for you.
If you want to feel and hear the rumble of the engine, the wine of the tires, the wind in your hair, the notchity feel of the shifter, the head snapping torque off the line, and the ability to go anywhere you want to go, then the Jeep maybe the right vehicle for you.