FJ Cruiser gets the nod over Nissan Xterra in this Edmunds.com review:

FJ vs. Xterra

FJ doesn't offer a locking gas door. So the FJ is out of any future consideration.

They can offer a locking gas door on a Corolla but not an FJ?

It's retro remember!!

I just back from servicing my runner and decided to take the time to look at the FJ closer in person.
It is a great looking car, inside and out to my surprise. My wife loves the look of it and we kicked around the idea of selling the runner and buying the FJ at some point.

Once you climb in, the retro feeling kicks in. It is cool looking with seats comfortable enough. It is certainly not as quite and 4runner but you get a lot more looks. One thing that stood right away is that outward visibility is compromised but maybe you could get used to that, afterall the thing is cool looking. I love the flooring, the fabric on the seats, the center panel, the pod on the dash, and little lights on the side view mirros. All this adds to the cool factor which is great, but I just can't seem to justify it. I have more space in the runner, quieter, smoother ride, and my dogs love it.:-)

It may be just me, but it made me appreciate my 4runner even more. I like the quiteness and space that I have. Sure it does not look as rugged or have the "cool" factor, but it is a vehicle that I can see myself hanging on to for a while. The FJ is certainly a cool looking SUV, if I had the extra money I'd buy one just for show.

I think everyone should go and take a peek at it.
Just my 2 cents-

Well, we'll be adding one to our garage shortly. My wife ordered one last weekend and it should be her in 30-60 days. I'll take some pictures of both once it arrives. Hopefully it will be here before Labor Day so she can drive it when we head out with the local Land Cruiser club for some camping and trail runs. Yes we'll have two SUVs but we'll just consider mine the luxery vehicle.

Scott

I drove both back to back. I actually went to the dealership to buy the FJ. I thought the FJ interior felt cheap though and outward visibility was very poor in the FJ. Also for 4 wheeling, I like to be able to look out my front driver's window to see where my tire is in the rocks. This is hard to do on the FJ with it's high door panels and small window.

One drive in the Sport V8 Runner was all I needed to convince me. I'll add an ARB in the rear and never wonder if I made the right decision.

I do like the outside look of the FJ better than the 4R though.

I also looked at the FJ prior to purchasing my 2006 4runner. FJ is $3000 over the sticker vs 4runner $5000 under. FJ has the truck like folding 4 doors vs the full size 4 doors. FJ has no mileage advange and less cargo room.

4runner much better buy. Not to mention the available V8.

The turning radius is purposely longer on the FJ due to Toyota not wanting to strain the CVs off road.

If you really are going off road more than a few times a year and don't mind a nick or a scrape here or there then the FJ probably fits the bill better especially with a manual and diff lock and stock vs stock the FJ has the edge but if it's a DD with the occasional off road trip then the 4Runner definetly is the more liveable and comfortable choice and of course is much cheaper at the moment.

I saw the FJ at the auto show about 4 years ago and it was the most exiting vehicle I had seen in decades. But once the production vehicle came I was very disapointed in what they did to the interior. How could they not have a fold flat floor???? Unexcusible... The tailgate folds out? Now why would they do that??? Why no power tailgate window like in the 4R? Also the the visiblitity is so bad it is dangerous. If they would fix these items and make a diesel I would call it a perfect vehicle. Add a hybrid to the options too. Better yet, Use the FJ design elements to the 2008 4 runner!!!

Yup...agree...how about an Off-road Edition of the 4runner with FJC parts (rear locker, taller springs, smaller sway bars, etc.).

Oh well, i am dreaming again....

There is significantly less room in the back!

Everyone here needs to pick their priorities.

Its not that one is better than the other, its that one is better for you than the other.

Ex: Better back seat room doesn't concern me because I don't have little ones running around. All I need the back for is making little ones, and the seats fold down.

Everyone here has explained their love for the 4runner and now I'll come back and say:

FJ over 4Runner

I bought the FJ because it was a classic remake of a historic line of vehicles.
It offers a manual transmission, not a semi manual version thats not manual at all.
Stock Locking differential
LOADED FJ with a reasonable purchase price 2k below MSRP, and same price as sport edition 4runner. It was actually 4k less than a comparably equiped 4Runner. 40 miles on the odometer, fully loaded FJ.
Fully adjustable roof rack that moves cross rails for different purposes.
Rear mounted spare tire that makes changing a tire MUCH quicker.
Rubber all weather mats and water resistant seats are much better for outdoor activities than leather.
Better approach and departure angles.
Slightly lighter.
Smaller wheelbase.

Things that could be improved:
Visibility (but you adjust how you see your surroundings)
Diesel would be amazing. I don't see a hybrid coming out ANY time soon.
Better color options in the coming years.


I don't think it needs a V8 option. If you want a V8, get a 4Runner.
I don't think it needs 4 doors. If you want a 4 door, get a 4Runner.
I didn't need the DVD for the kids, the 2 other doors, 3rd row seating, leather seats, automatic or semi automatic transmission, a V8, more storage space. So I happily got an FJ. And its amazing.

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FJs are aimed at people that will actually go off the beaten path,4Runners cater to the everyday person,off roaders to a point and soccer moms.

The lack of a V8 is a weak argument when the 4Runner doesn't have an available manual tranny or a rear locker.

I don't think Toyota is trying to compete with itself.

My bet is the success of the FJ will make the 5th gen Runners even more street friendly.

It looks like there will always be plenty of material to keep this thread going. I was disappointed in the FJ because you have to give up so much on-road quality for what I judge to be a pretty minor gain in off-road ability. I decided I needed two cars...

I use my 4Runner to go back and forth from my mountain cabin because it is comfortable, quiet, drives well on the freeway, gets good mileage, hauls lot of stuf, and tows my boat. In the winter, it is terrific in the snow. I also use it for touring around the many marginal dirt roads in our area when I have four passengers. The 4runner is a absolutely the best available vehicle for ALL of this, even if it isn't the coolest looking thing I've ever owned.

When I'm actually at our cabin, I drive a Wrangler Rubicon. It is fun to drive (it's a stick), super maneuverable, easy to accessorize, and I can leave the top off all summer. Best of all, I can enjoy real off-road recreational challenges that seem to be everywhere in the Sierra.

I don't think I'll ever find all of this in one vehicle.

I'd like to see how far in stock trim a 4Runner will go vs an FJ.

The FJ really only sacrifices a little comfort and room otherwise it's does everything else a Runner does.

Like I said the FJ and 4Runner aren't each other's competition.