2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser Consumer Reviews

I loved this vehicle when I first took it for a test drive and bought it that day, got a ton of extras for it and planned on keeping it forever! Boy, how that has changed.... This vehicle has the immediate effect it needs to get people to buy it. Meaning that you'll love it on your initial reaction, but it gets old very quick and when it does, you will start picking out the faults that you never noticed from the beginning! This truck would be totally worth it if it sold for somewhere in the $18,000 to $20,000 price range, but for the close to $30,000 that they cost, I really can't say it is worth it, and heres why.... The interior looks nice, but it is extemely poor quality and things break easily, I've had to have the seats replaced twice because of the side adjustments snapping off, and the knobs on the dash replaced. The truck also rattles to death, it is full of cheap loose plastic parts and you can never find which one is making the rattle, the dealer couldn't find it either! The seats offer no lumbar support at all and it has no center console, so take it easy on turns or it will throw you out of your seat. The alternative is to get the arm rests which help a tad bit, not much.... and yes, Toyota will charge you extra for them! It isn't as rough of a ride as you would think, but if you live around uneven pavements, it will make you feel them. Also, don't plan on putting anyone in the back seat unless they are a small child, because if you are above 5 foot 8, you will have to put the seat back so far that no regular sized person can sit behind you. They also have some odd bending to do to get into the suicide doors without hitting their head on the latch that holds it. As far as MPG goes, I've heard countless people claim 17 to 23 MPG! I don't know how they drive, but I have never gotten more than 14 and it takes premium fuel, so I have never filled the tank for less than $65! It comes standard with an AUX input for iPod's, this is one of the few things Toyota did right, works like a charm! The stereo itself is decent, it's made by Toyota. The max volume is set at 80, but if you go above 40, it gets so high pitched that it will make your ears bleed, and you can fool with the controls all you want, but it will never be perfect, but it is still much better than some of the competitors! Another disappointment is the overall size. Despite the massive size and imposing look, it isn't very big or roomy inside at all. Cargo area is limited, as I mentioned, the rear seat is practically non-existant, and you don't sit up very high either, it feels safe, but doesn't feel big or commanding if thats what you like! The worst thing about it is the visibility, you can't see out the sides because of the pillars and the tire on the back takes up about 35% of the back window, so if it is dark, and you have to back up or merge, its basically a guessing game! So whats good about it? The capability.... I have had fun smashing through snow, dirt, over curbs for fun and the FJ has never come close to getting stuck, and I have the standard tires instead of the optional All-Terrains! The FJ shows off a lot, it has a techometer that displays inclines and such, which looks cool, but face it, when are you ever gonna use that? If you're about to flip over, do you really need a meter to tell you? In the end, if you're single and don't carry a lot of people and don't mind more of a rough rider instead of a refined vehicle, than I think you will like the FJ! If you have a family, kids, carry friends a lot, or just need space, this vehicle will turn sour quick! It will turn heads (not as much as it used to), and it will tear through anything.... But if you are driving the FJ, people are all going to call it the same thing, a Hummer poser, because in the end.... THAT'S WHAT IT IS!!!!