FJ Cruiser

New six appeal

Showcased the same day as the V8 turbodiesel Toyota Landcruiser, the company also revealed an upgraded FJ Cruiser. (If you were wondering what those letters stood for I can reveal all: The 'F' stands for the engine series and 'J' Jeep.)

Anyway, the FJ has been around for just two years over here, a vehicle with unique looks like no other. Perhaps that is the attraction because you do seem to see plenty of them on the road. Again, as one might imagine, this is no poseur's luxury offroader alluded to by the 245 mm of ground clearance, a 34-degree approach angle, 31-degree departure angle and 29-degree breakover angle attributes.

Suffice to say wherever the New Land Cruiser went the FJ was close behind. Due in the main, methinks, to the introduction of the 'crawl control function', a feet-off control system that allows the vehicle to inch its way up just about any slope - or down - by simply dialling in the speed you feel comfortable with. This can be anything up to 25 km/h. Simplistically, it increases vehicle stability in extreme four-wheel driving conditions by minimising wheel spin and tyre lock-up.

There's also the addition of a second fuel tank (87 litres) that virtually doubles its fuel-load capacity to offer a grand total of 159 litres offering owners a theoretical fuel range of over 1000 km with the 200 kW/380 Nm 4.0-litre V6 petrol motor found under the bonnet.

All versions of the FJ Cruiser come with A five-year/90 000 km service plan and a three-year/100 000 km warranty. These models are also supported by the ToyotaCare Roadside Assistance Programme and entitles customers to 24-hour roadside assistance.

Pricing at launch:

FJ Cruiser 4.0 V6 4 x 4 AT R462 200

FJ Cruiser 4.0 V6 Sports Cruiser AT R485 200