I’ve been interested in this particular model SUV, on and off, for the past few years. I like the look of it. I like the utility it offers for transporting bikes and for going on ski trips, occasionally the hardware store and garden center.
That said, I’m not an off-road guy and I’m not even an SUV fan under most driving scenarios that don’t include the above.
I’ve yet to go out and test drive it and I probably should do that. But until I do, I want to hear from experienced owners or people with applied experience with the car.
how is it for day to day urban use, commuting in traffic (25 miles, round trip)?
how easy/hard is it to live with as far as parking in underground city lots?
how is ingress/egress for rear passengers?
how is overall comfort?
how is visibility in traffic (me seeing them, not them seeing me)?
A few of my coworkers have them and I’ve ridden in them a few times including once in the back. Getting in isn’t too hard with the 2+2 door arrangement, but rear legroom definitely isn’t its strong suit, at least not with the front seats slid back. Also, in terms of the parking garage issue, the “styling by Tonka” maybe makes them seem like they should be really tall, but I don’t think they’re any taller than most truck-based SUVs. They’re certainly not taller than a typical full size pickup or van.
One odd tidbit with the FJ’s is that the ones with manual transmissions have a full-time 4wd system that works on pavement (although sucks down the gas), whereas the automatic-equipped ones just have regular old part-time 4wd.
Yes, Wikipedia says 2014 is the final year for the US market, while it will continue overseas.
I test drove one and the visibility sucks. The front window isn’t tall and the driver’s position is back away from the front window in such a way that I felt like I was driving a tank - meaning, peering through a tiny horizontal slit.
I hated it, it was a show-stopper for me. Too bad, too, because I otherwise liked its capabilities off road (I didn’t drive it long enough to assess its on-road characteristics). Gas mileage is awful, too, so that’s a problem for me.
Sure, give it a shot. You might like it. It might work for you. I agree, it does have a desireable Tonka Truck look to it.
Consider, too, the Jeep Grand Cherokee (pics). I bought one in March and love it. It’s my first Jeep. I got the Diesel engine and in mixed driving I get 26mpg. On the highway I get over 30. I get 500-600 miles per tankful, and 700 if highway driving. And that’s with full-time 4WD.
And, it’s a Jeep so it’s more than capable off road. And the Grand Cherokee is quite luxurious too.
I’m not a fan of Jeep normally. Used to have a Wrangler for a couple of years. What a shit-box that was.
Although, the Grand Cherokee is nothing like a Wrangler and I do love the look of it. One of the best looking SUV’s on the road, IMO. And that includes the Range/Land Rovers and Mercedes ML class.
But I’m looking for a commuter/novelty hauler. The FJ might have fit the bill if not for the usability issues.
I think I’ll give the VW SportWagon TDi another look-see. I’ve always liked it but it’s missing the AWD platform that I find very desirable for ski trips.
I have actually pondered while riding in an FJ what exact advantage the thing had over a quad cab Tacoma or similar truck. There’s maybe a little more head space in the FJ, but the seating space dimensions are otherwise similar. I think getting a quad cab Tacoma 4x4 costs a smidge more than an FJ, but the trucks hold their value fairly well so you won’t lose quite as much if you decide to sell as soon as the novelty wears off.
It depends on what you use it for and haul. My Wife and I both have SUV’s. I consider the Grand Jeep and the 04 Pathfinder mid-sized. We also have two dogs that we take with us often. An SUV just works better for them (and us). I wouldn’t put them in the back of a truck, even with a topper, and they fit fine with our luggage in the back of an SUV. Sure, they could manage in the back seat of a 4 door truck, but it would not work as well.
For some though, I would think a 4 door truck would be a better solution.
Just seeing the FJ on the road (never been in one) it looks like the visibility out of it would be bad.
My wife has a Jetta Sportwagen TDI and I cannot recommend this car highly enough. It’s amazing. Great mileage, the interior is fantastic, it drives like it has 100HP more than it actually does (lots of torque, great off the line)…I really dig it, and I’m picky about cars.
I wouldn’t sweat the lack of AWD too much. Put winter tires on it. I have a Subaru WRX, and the Sportwagen is better on snow with all-seasons than the AWD Subaru if I leave the summer tires on. The right rubber makes all the difference, and a set of proper winter tires on dedicated wheels will be perfect for driving on snow and ice. AWD is a great advantage if all things are equal, but most people don’t bother running the proper tire for the winter season, and that makes a bigger difference than anything (I’ve had winter tires on rear-wheel drive sports cars like a BMW M3 and had no trouble in serious snow).
I bought my new 2010 FJ in February of 2010 and I’m still driving it. While it has it’s annoyances I’ll be keeping it for quite a while.
The visibility is something you get used to and the (standard since 10’) back-up camera helps out a lot. The only problem this time of year is that winter road mist often clouds the camera so you have to remember to wipe it off before you hop in.
The rear seating does suck but will do in a pinch. The rear passengers also have no way of letting themselves out and need the front door open first. The suicide door thing can also be a pain in tight parking.
Reliability wise the thing has been perfect. It has over 50k miles and the only work outside regular maintenance has been new tires and front brakes. The new models (since 10’) also use synthetic oil and run on regular unleaded.
Hauling wise it really isn’t that big and my wife’s Rav4 probably has more cargo room. However the rear window does pop open so hauling long stuff like lumber or ladders isn’t a problem. The rubber/plastic interior also let’s you not think twice about hauling stuff like sod since it’s easy to clean out.
For winter storms up here the thing is unstoppable. I’m one of the only ones who can get down our street after a snow storm. It’s a serious off road vehicle and there are whole groups of FJ owners who go on off-road expeditions. The 4x4 capabilities do however give you false confidence on icy roads that has almost gotten me into trouble a few times.
Oh, I’m a big believer in the right tire for the right driving conditions. Trouble is, I live far enough south now that buying winter tires for a once a year ski holiday doesn’t make much financial or logistical (storage) space. So I run on high quality all season tires that have good wet/snow performance ratings. Usually those suffice, but every now and then I do feel like if not for the load and momentum, I’d never make it up some of those twisty mountain roads.
Read recently that VW is introducing an AWD Sportwagen for 2016 as an AllRoad model. Not sure if it will be a TDi variant as well. If so, there just may be an ideal commuter/vacation hauler in my near future.