Car Review: Toyota FJ Cruiser

LifeStyle Living is about tasting the finer things in life.  Don't you agree?  Well I got to test drive a 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser today.  I must say, I am very impressed with the styling.  I know to some, it might look a little weird, but it's really meant to look like the FJ Cruiser of the 70s and 80s.  I think it's cool that it looks so Retro.  I love it.  Front to back is totally Retro.  I also love the big tires with the nice stock rims.  I've seen some FJ Cruisers with nasty looking rims.  I'd prefer to keep it stock.

However, the inside is something else.  It has a rugged dashboard.  Macho styling.  Though, the middle console where the radio and aircondition controls looks a little cheap.  In all honesty, the interior looks cheap for the price tag.  Though the 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser ranks 9 out of 23 Affordable Midsize SUVs. But the Price Tag in the Philippines is almost twice as much.  You can also look up the specs online and some official reviews.  The Gas Milage sucks, however the 2010 model, to find out is improved.

I didn't get to test drive it off road, but I have heard that it is very capable off road with great handling. On the street, it's ok.  It feels like the 1997 Toyota 4Runner Limited my family had before.  Though the way you are seated, it doesn't really give a car like ride that of the 4Runner of past.  The handling is everything you'd expect from an SUV.  It's nice because it is tall and you can see everything from above.  Visibility of the blind spot is not as easy to see as the 4Runner or the car since the cabin windows are small.  Getting into the back seat is a little hard as well with the suicide doors. Cramped too.  The cargo is a lot more spacious that I had originally thought.   The cargo just looks small from the outside.  But compared to other SUV's, the cargo area is still small.

Otherwise, the FJ Cruiser is a cool retro styled SUV you can take off road or in the city.  Just be prepared to pay for the gas if you're used to a 4 cylinder car that I too currently drive.  I like it!  Despite Toyota's current problems, I still love Toyota.

Please let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.