2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser User Reviews

Pros

Style, utility, offroad capability, ruggedness, power

Cons

visibility, base factory radio. rear seat access

Purchased As Used

I have wanted an FJ ever since they introduced them, I have 4x4 AT FJ, with the bilstein upgrade, and off road lighting package, and roof rack. also have (MUST HAVE) back up camera, was purchased new 2012 model year. love the styling and go anywhere attitude. I will go over the pros and cons as I have experienced them in 10k mi of ownership.

Pros

Styling:
I have heard this is a love it or hate it vehicle... I love it, definintley a throwback to the original FJ 40. get compliments about it being "cool" and guys wanting to talk about it.

Utility:
easy open rear gate, has rugged rubber floors, and quick dry seats, some of the interior trim is a little soft, but thats not a huge deal. plenty of tie down and latch points in the rear. seats do lay down (not flat) and can move quite a bit of cargo.

Offroad Capability:
this thing is a beast in stock configuration. heavy snow driving is effortless in 4 wheel drive. can climb and power through any urban enviroment and most off road situations. the weak part is definitley the tires. made for good gas milage not traction, however they are good all season and light off road. Ohio snow was no problem. that being said, the ride quality is exceptional for an off road vehivle. I drove the wrangler, and hummer - the FJ's main competition. and they suck comparativley. I went from a Chrysler 300SRT8 to this and did not feel like road driving was compromised. it really is a great driver on the road, even more so compared to the others in its cl#$%$ (Wrangler Hummer). no top heaviness feel or wobble.

Ruggedness:
so far have not had and issues with weak parts, trim, or electronics / mechanics. and I run mine hard. so far so good, again only have 10k on it. again you really feel like you can go, or park anywhere.

Power:
260hp and equal torque. this was by far the zippiest and most powerful of the 3 cars I test drove. it feels more like a standard SUV on the road. but kicks #$%$ off road. plent of power for 45 degree + incline crawls!

Cons:
visibility:
it is not great, must get the back up camera option! the b pillars are monstrous, and rear visibility out the back window is low. also front visibility for traffic lights is not great. but its a small price to pay. also tinted the windows and made it even worse. but looks bad #$%$!

Base Factory radio:
I have the base radio, it leaves something to be desired. b#$%$ gets distorted when you crank it up, you should definitly get the upgraded JBL system with rear speakers and sub. wish I would have. blurtooth media and phone connection work good.

overall a great experience with this vehicle, was voted the dissapointing dozen by consumer reports. I must believe that this comparison is against other SUV's and not off road vehicles. the FJ and wrangler / Hummer vehicles really deserve to be placed in a seperate cl#$%$. IMHO to compare these with other SUV's it will obviously get marks for "Visibility, ride, handling, noise, fuel economy, fit and finish, access." as described by CR. look at the reviews anywhere and you will find CR to be mistaken. I am a car guy through and through and really appreciate this vehicle. i will hopefully keep it as long as its still got a heartbeat, and being a toyota it should outlast its competitors. and really anything else.... CR does list this the FJ highly for reliability...read morehide

Pros

Rock, rock solid

Cons

gas mileage..period...

Purchased As New

This truck is recommended to anybodt who has to drive often.. safe, rock solid..(dependable) .I have a 2007 with 98,000 miles.. same battery, all lights the same., tires replaced at 79,000...for example.. Blind spots .. ok just get used to them and pay attention.. thas all.. Comfortable.. yes.. heat and air are great...oh its a little noisy... It"s a truck..ha...love it love it..best car ever.. have had many@75) in my life so far...read morehide

Pros

Bought it to get me where no other vehicle could. Don't care about anythin else.

Cons

Rest of the family be dammed.

Purchased As Used

With aggressive mud tires and a high clearance I love the fact that I can be in the woods, across streams, through mud holes, climbing rocky timbering trails, and carry my tools and equipment, and it gets me home. All this from a vehicle without modifications, just an off the shelf vehicle by Toyota. I also like the short turning radius able to maneuver between trees, boulders, and over fallen logs. With its back rest seat lowering to almost the horizontal position, I often sleep in the vehicle while between shifts on-site. Negatives be dammed. This is a work mule, not a work horse. This vehicle was not meant, nor designed for soccer moms. One suggestion to Toyota important to me is the unfortunate use of plastic bumper. A vehicle such as this deserves steel bumpers with brush guards and they should be factory....read morehide

Pros

rock solid, functional, no-nonsense, durable. stylish

Cons

1 tiny tiny tiny gas tank. 2 wind buffets it (non-aero) on hiway.

Purchased As Used

Bought a 2008 in 2009 with 20K.. Decent price, came with full factory warranty intact (Cert. pre-owned). Have had ZERO problems with this vehicle. Consumer Reports bashed it because its not a Camry, CR does not know UTV's unless they are creampuff wannabees, this little beast will get you in, get you out. My wife loves loves loves it. Its her primary driver, hauls wet dogs and dead deer without any problems. Toyota dependability all the way....read morehide

Pros

Solid truck. Feels good. Goes anywhere.

Cons

blind spots -fuel economy

Purchased As Used

I wasn't a 100% sure about this when I bought this truck but I am now. I will keep it forever. I may get another car or truck but I'm keeping this one.
This is the only consumer vehicle made by the commercial branch of Toyota.
The mirrors work great to help with most of the blind spots. I installed a back up camera now backing is no problem. The front right bumper is still hard to see when parking.
It has a great feel inside and out. The ride is great and this thing will go anywhere.
I thought I would not like the suicide doors and wished they made one with 4 real doors but it has grown on me just the way it is.
Love it!...read morehide

Pros

A real truck, very solid, roomy

Cons

brakes

Purchased As New

Purchased new in Nov. 08 and have never had any problems. I use it as my primary vehicle and have 106,000 miles. Have only performed scheduled maintenance and couldn't be happier.

Pros

Great looking 4x4, good gas mileage

Cons

Some blind spots

Purchased As Used

I had been looking at these vehicles for 3 months before I decided to purchase mine in July of 2012. With a good 8 months put in...all what I can say is I LOVE IT! Wow...this is a great 4 wheel drive vehicle. I get a lot of compliments on mine. Stereo with the woofer in back is awesome and takes me back to my high school days! Great room in the back for storage and to carry our beach chairs....read morehide

Pros

SOLID LIKE A ROCK SWEET LIKE A HONEY

Cons

DOES'NT COME WITH CONS

Purchased As New

Since I bought this wonderful magical vehicle (June 2011) whereever I go, people seeing me driving this vehicle thinks of me as Powerful, Solid, Graceful, Thoughtful, Kind Hearted, Generous, Sharp, Timeless and Unstoppable

This vehicle has given me all the IDs that I could ever dream of

Pros

safety,spacious

Cons

lacks technology

Purchased As New

got it as bnew 2012 model. loved the way it hums down the road. Got rear ended during one of the snow days and was surprised to find out that my damage was minimal compared to the nissan truck with a crumpled hood.My left bumper took the hit and that was my only repalced part.
I feel super safe in it....read morehide

Pros

Solid car, safe, looks awesome

Cons

none

Purchased As New

I have 130,000km on it, works like new! Very spacious, durable materials on the inside, powerful engine if you'll push the pedal. It's massive so it takes more caution around corners when icy conditions, but I have yet to get stuck in snow - I live in Northern Canada, we know snow. It starts at -35C (absolute, not with windchill) with no problem. One time the highway got closed due to massive snow, so I used the GPS, got on sideroads and bypassed the closed section. This car is a tank.

I absolutely love this car!...read morehide