The Toyota Land Cruiser FJ, reviewed by The Rand Daily Mail, presents a mixed bag of features and performance. While it offers an impressively comfortable ride, excellent off-road ability, and eye-catching tough-boy looks, its 2.7-liter petrol engine fails to match its otherwise appealing package. The normally aspirated engine, inherited from the petrol Hilux and the Hiace taxi, struggles to move the bulky Toyota, resulting in muted responsiveness.
The FJ's 1,970kg weight makes its 122kW and 245Nm outputs feel lackluster, with a quoted top speed of 165km/h. In a test conducted at Gauteng altitude, the FJ took 15.3 seconds to cover the 0-100km/h sprint. Its open-road performance is unimpressive, and it struggles uphill, causing the six-speed automatic transmission to hunt for gears and send revs soaring.
The FJ's fuel consumption is another drawback, with Toyota quoting an optimistic combined figure of 10.7 l/100km. However, the actual figures achieved were 12.8 l/100km on mostly open roads and 13.5 l/100km with some stop-start urban driving. This results in a modest range of less than 500km on its 63-liter tank.
In terms of ride comfort, the FJ prioritizes comfort over handling sharpness, thanks to its yielding suspension and chunky 265/60 R18 tires. The car seems solidly built, with no body jitters on rough surfaces. However, with its soft suspension and high center of gravity, the FJ feels predictably wallowy at high speeds in corners.
The FJ excels in off-road situations, as demonstrated at the Gerotek off-road course. Its 245mm ground clearance and short wheelbase allowed it to navigate climbs and bumps with ease, while its transfer case and rear diff lock provided the necessary traction. Downhill descent control and a camera system that projects hidden obstacles onto the infotainment screen further enhance its off-road capabilities.
The Land Cruiser FJ is available in two models: the base GX for R714,000 and the range-topping VX for R761,400. The VX model comes with standard features such as artificial leather upholstery, a surround-view camera, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacks features like electrically adjustable front seats and a wireless smartphone charger.
The FJ's interior space is fair, with four adults able to fit comfortably, and the rear seats are adjustable for legroom and backrest angle. The boot offers 797 liters of cargo space with the rear seats upright, and the rear seats fold down to increase cargo space. Despite its shortcomings, the FJ makes a great family adventure vehicle with its rugged looks and genuine off-road ability.
Key points
- The Toyota Land Cruiser FJ's underpowered engine holds it back from being a complete package.
- The FJ excels in off-road situations with its impressive ground clearance and traction features.
- The vehicle's high fuel consumption and lack of features like wireless smartphone charging are notable drawbacks.
