2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser Price, Review, Specs, what car reviews, The FJ Cruiser is a sport-utility vehicle from Toyota that draws on the styling and heritage of the Toyota FJ40 4X4 utility vehicle that was sold in the U.S. from 1960 through 1983. The FJ40 was a popular vehicle for safaris and off-road expeditions and is a collector vehicle today. The FJ Cruiser is a modern vehicle with a bold unique style, yet the FJ40 heritage is reflected in design elements such as the five-inch round headlights tied together by the grille, hood and fender contours, and the rear-mounted exposed spare tire with an off-center license-plate mount. The most noticeable features are the white roof cap and wrap-around rear side windows that were signature elements of the FJ40. The FJ Cruiser has two main forward-hinged doors and two smaller rear-hinged access doors that open to 90 degrees for rear-seat access.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser is a five-passenger SUV with two regular front doors and two half-sized rear-hinged doors.
There is only one trim level and it comes standard with 17-inch black-painted steel wheels, air-conditioning, power windows and locks, an eight-way manually adjustable driver seat, a tilt-only steering wheel, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, water-resistant cloth upholstery, heavy-duty vinyl flooring, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack, an iPod/USB audio interface and steering wheel controls.
Powertrains and Performance
Every 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser comes with a 4.0-liter V6 that produces 260 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard on the FJ Cruiser and when so equipped, features a five-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential. There are two different 4WD systems available. One is a part-time system attached to the five-speed automatic, while the other is a full-time system attached to a six-speed manual and a locking rear differential.
EPA-estimated fuel economy with 4WD and an automatic is 17 mpg city/20 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined — typical for off-road SUVs. Getting the manual 4WD FJ Cruiser drops those estimates to 15/18/16, while the rear-drive FJ gets 17/20/19.
Safety
The 2012 FJ Cruiser comes standard with antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, active front head restraints, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. In crash testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the FJ Cruiser received the top rating of “Good” in the frontal-offset and side-impact tests, but a second-best rating of “Acceptable” in the roof strength test.
Interior Design and Special Features
The FJ’s retro-themed dash is color-keyed to match the exterior. Controls are placed within easy reach and are easy to find. Some are also oversized to a cartoonish degree, but we can’t say that hurts their functionality. The front seats are comfortable, but the rear compartment is a tight fit and requires a high step up for entry. Wide roof pillars, small rear windows and a tailgate-mounted spare tire all contribute to poor rearward visibility. Front visibility is also less than optimal due to the FJ’s high hood line.
The rear-access doors, like those on most extended-cab pickups, open rearward. Though this configuration offers a wide portal with both front and rear doors open, it’s tiresome if you’re frequently carting rear passengers, as the rear doors won’t open with the front doors closed. This is a vehicle for sport, not for kids. With the rear seats folded, a generous 67 cubic feet of cargo space is created.
Driving Impressions
The 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser is in its element when off-road. With ample suspension articulation, it crawls over boulders, ruts and most other obstacles with ease. The FJ is also surprisingly good on pavement, offering precise steering and a smooth ride that makes a Jeep Wrangler seem like an ox cart by comparison. But the FJ’s boxy shape creates noticeable wind noise at highway speeds, and poor outward visibility can make parking or identifying off-road obstacles difficult. Acceleration from the V6 engine is brisk, particularly at low- and midrange speeds, and exudes a nice exhaust bark that increases the “sport” quotient of this utility vehicle.
2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser Price :
MSRP range: $25,990 – $27,580
Invoice price range: $24,171 – $25,650
2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser Specs :
Engine
Type : V6 4.0 litres
Power : 260 hp @ 5,600 rpm (194 kW)
Torque : 271 lb•ft @ 4,400 rpm (367 N•m)
Induction : Atmospheric
Power to weight ratio : N/A
Bore : 94 mm
Stroke : 95 mm
Fuel type : Regular
CO2 emissions : 5,106 kg/year
Ohter engines : none
Transmission :
* 5-speed automatic (base)
* 6-speed manual
Drivetrain : 4×4
Vehicle type / Category
Vehicle type : SUV
Category : Midsize SUVs under $50,000
Assembly : Hamura, Japon
Generation : 1
What’s new : No major change
Fuel efficiency / Autonomy
City : 12.4 l/100km
Highway : 9.5 l/100km
Autonomy : 581 km
Tires / Suspension / Brakes / Safety
Steering : rack and pinion, variable assist
Traction control : yes
Stability control : yes
Seat belts : 5
Airbags : 6
Front suspension : independent, double wishbones
Rear suspension : live axle, multi-link
Front brakes : disc (ABS)
Rear brakes : disc (ABS)
Front tires : P265/70R17
Rear tires : P265/70R17
Dimensions / Weight
Length : 4,670 mm (184″)
Width : 1,905 mm (75″)
Height : 1,830 mm (72″)
Wheelbase : 2,690 mm (106″)
Front track : 1,605 mm (63″)
Rear track : 1,605 mm (63″)
Weight : 1,967 kg (4,336 lbs)
Weight distribution front-rear : N/A
Capacities
Fuel tank : 72 l (19 gal)
Trunk : 790 to 1,890 l (28 to 67 ft3)
Towing : 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs)
Box length : N/A
Performance
0-100 km/h : 10.1 s
80-120 km/h : 8.6 s
Top speed : N/A
Braking distance : 44.0 m