2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser Offers More Power, Better Fuel-Efficiency

09/24/2009

Toyota

The Toyota FJ Cruiser, which melds the brand's off-road legacy with distinct heritage design in a modern SUV, gets a more powerful engine and a unique new trail-oriented Special Edition Package for 2010. Engine changes also help boost the EPA estimated combined fuel economy ratings from 17 mpg to 18 mpg, and the switch to recommended regular-grade fuel can help reduce operating costs, as well.

A new Trail Teams Special Edition package draws on Toyota's off-road heritage and equips the FJ Cruiser for off-road driving adventures. The 2010 FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Special Edition looks the part of a safari vehicle with exclusive Sandstorm exterior color (including the roof) and hood blackout paint, along with other blackout components. Backing up the rugged styling is an array of equipment designed to enhance trail driving capability.

Starting with the chassis, the 2010 FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Special Edition is equipped as standard with the contents of the Off Road Package, which remains optional for the standard FJ Cruiser, along with items unique to the Special Edition. This includes trail-tuned Bilstein(R) shock absorbers, rear differential lock and the active traction control (A-TRAC) system, front and rear skid plates, rock rails, TRD beadlock-style alloy wheels with BFG All-Terrain tires and wheel locks. A cyclone pre-air cleaner (standard on all models) is effective at trapping sand and dirt and is easy to clean.

The Trail Teams Special Edition also preps the FJ Cruiser's body and interior for trail driving. The power side mirrors feature Illumination markers, and the Special Edition auto-dimming inside mirror comes with an integrated backup camera monitor.

Beige fabric seat inserts complement the exterior styling. All-weather floor mats and cargo mat make it easy to clean the trail out of the FJ Cruiser Special Edition, while 12V, 100W and 115V 400W outlets enable you to keep "plugged in" to civilization when necessary. The final touch is a Trail Team badge.

There's nothing wrong with taking amenities on the trail, and the FJ Cruiser Trail TeamsSpecial Edition obliges with color-keyed door trim and dashboard; a "floating ball" type multi-information display; remote keyless entry; cruise control; rear privacy glass; rear wiper; AM/FM/6-CD/MP3 stereo with nine speakers and steering wheel audio controls.

The 2010 FJ Cruiser offers a new color, Army Green, replacing Voodoo Blue.

Performance and Efficiency

The FJ Cruiser is powered by a DOHC 4.0-liter V6 engine, newly equipped for 2010 with a new dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) system (variable phasing for both the intake and exhaust cams) and new roller rockers. The changes help boost horsepower to 258, up from 239. Peak torque is now 270 lb.-ft., and the broad torque curve facilitates easy cruising on or off-road. The V6 offers a gratifying exhaust note, while special sound-absorbing material under the engine cover helps keep the cabin quiet. The FJ Cruiser meets the stringent LEV II/Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions certification.

The FJ Cruiser 4x4 offers a choice between an electronically shifted five-speed automatic transmission and a six-speed manual transmission; the 4x2 model is equipped exclusively with a five-speed automatic transmission. The automatic varies the shifting pattern based on road conditions and driver input. A Flex Lock-Up feature allows the clutch in the torque converter to maintain a half-engaged position, enhancing fuel efficiency and increasing the lock-up clutch's operational range. The driver can manually shift the automatic transmission using a console-mounted, gate-type shift lever. The gearshift position is also displayed in the instrument panel.

The FJ Cruiser's two-speed transfer case (with a 2.566 low range) is the same full-time four-wheel-drive transfer case used in the V6-powered 4x4 Toyota 4Runner. In manual-transmission models, the transfer case uses a TORSEN(R) limited-slip center differential with a locking feature and distributes the engine's power 40:60 under most driving conditions. The TORSEN unit varies power distribution as needed, based on steering angle and wheel slippage. In the Lock position, the differential switches to 50:50 power distribution.

The 4x4 FJ Cruiser with the automatic-transmission employs a part-time four-wheel drive system with a 3.727:1 rear differential ratio and provides a 33.76:1 crawl ratio. With the manual transmission, the front and rear differential ratio is a lower 3.909:1 for a crawl ratio of 41.84:1, an attribute that helped the FJ Cruiser traverse California's famed Rubicon Trail.

An electronic locking rear differential with an eight-inch ring gear is available. The ring gear in the 4x4 FJ Cruiser's front differential also measures eight inches. The 4x2 model comes standard with a virtual automatic limited-slip differential, provided and operated by an advanced traction-control system to enhance traction of both rear wheels in slippery driving conditions.

Capability, Handling and Ride

Toyota designed the FJ Cruiser from the start for serious trail driving capability. The FJ Cruiser's tough, wide stance is based around a frame and front-and-rear suspension systems adapted from those found on the Toyota 120-Series Prado (Land Cruiser Prado in some markets). The frame is a boxed steel ladder-braced unit to which the FJ Cruiser's welded steel body is mounted. Double-wishbone independent front suspension offers 7.87 inches of wheel travel for outstanding suspension articulation. Its geometry is optimized for excellent road feel and ride comfort.

The solid rear axle uses a four-link coil-spring suspension system with a lateral rod, tubular shock absorbers, and a stabilizer bar. This system provides 9.1 inches of wheel travel. The disc-brake system uses ventilated 12.6-inch front and 12.3-inch rear rotors. The FJ Cruiser employs a variable-ratio, hydraulically assisted rack-and-pinion steering system. Standard wheels are 17-inch steel with P265/70 R17 tires; six-spoke aluminum wheels available as an option.

With the FJ Cruiser's standard 32-inch tires, ground clearance is 9.6 inches (8.7 inches for 4x2 models). Approach and departure angles are 34 degrees/31 degrees for the 4x4 FJ Cruiser and 32/30 for the 4x2 model. Maximum towing capacity with the optional Class Four receiver hitch is 5,000 pounds.

Safety

The FJ Cruiser provides a comprehensive standard safety package, including the standard front seat-mounted side airbags and first- and second-row roll sensing side curtain airbags. Dual-stage front driver and passenger advanced airbags deploy based on impact type and severity.

Additionally, the FJ Cruiser is equipped with active headrests for the front seats and provides the LATCH child-restraint system. In certain rear collisions, a cable-actuated mechanism in the active headrest moves the headrest upward and forward to help limit the movement of the occupant's head.

As with all Toyota SUVs, the FJ Cruiser is equipped as standard with Toyota's STAR Safety System(TM) that includes VSC, Traction Control (TRAC), an Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). The roll sensing side curtain airbags can detect a potential rollover and signal the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system to help reduce a lateral skid.

In addition, the rollover senser can signal the standard seat-mounted side airbags and side curtain airbags to deploy.

Comfort and Convenience

The FJ Cruiser comes with a long list of standard features, including: air conditioning; power windows and door locks; black water-resistant seats; tilt steering wheel; four cup holders and two bottle holders; rear-window defogger; skid plates for the engine, transfer case and fuel-tank; rear-door-mounted full-size spare tire; front and rear tow hooks, and mudguards.

Three audio systems are available for the FJ Cruiser. An AM/FM/CD system with six speakers is standard. A pair of NXT SurfaceSound transducers convert the vehicle's ceiling into a speaker diaphragm (the FJ Cruiser was the first vehicle to use this audio technology). The ceiling transducers complement the conventional speakers elsewhere in the vehicle, creating broad, omni-directional sound dispersion.

Options

A Premium Audio FJammer AM/FM eight-speaker system with an in-dash six-disc CD changer is available as part of an option package, and an amplified subwoofer can be added, located in the right-side panel of the rear cargo compartment. An auxiliary jack also is located in the lower-center switch cluster to provide input for portable audio devices, including iPods(R) and MP3 players, and a 12-volt DC accessory socket is provided to power those devices.

An available Convenience Package includes keyless entry; cruise control; power side-view mirrors with Illumination markers; daytime running lights; rear privacy glass; rear window wiper; and a spare tire cover. This package also includes a rear backup camera integrated and linked to an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Upgrade Package One (requires the Convenience Package) includes a highly capable off-road Active Traction-Control system (A-TRAC); rear locking differential; multi-information display floating ball type (compass, inclinometer and temperature gauge); Premium Audio system with in-dash six-disc changer, equalizer and eight speakers; a 115V AC power outlet; 17-inch alloy wheels; leather-wrapped steering wheel with integral audio controls and cruise-control function; metal-colored shift lever; and interior door-trim inserts keyed to the vehicle's exterior color.

Upgrade Package Two adds the rear subwoofer. Standalone options include 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear locking differential, and running boards and Daytime Running Lights.

The customer can personalize the FJ Cruiser by choosing from a catalog of available accessories, including: auxiliary driving lights, rock rails, roof rack, brush guard, taillight guards, sport exhaust system, receiver hitch and harness, wind deflector with off-road lights, a cargo mat, and all-weather or carpeted floor mats.

Exterior Design

With styling cues reminiscent of Toyota's famed FJ40 4x4 utility vehicle, sold in the U.S. from 1960 to 1983, the FJ Cruiser offers a youthful, contemporary spirit. The original FJ40, which during its production life served around the world as the safari and expedition vehicle of choice, is today a sought-after collectable.

Heritage design features include the front grille with two round, five-inch headlights, reminiscent of the FJ40's frontal styling; the hood and fender contours; and a rear-mounted and exposed full-size spare tire with an off-center license plate mount.

Unlike anything ever seen on the classic FJ40, the FJ Cruiser uses side access doors that open 90 degrees in clamshell fashion for easy rear-seat ingress and egress. Additionally, a swing-up glass hatch is incorporated into the side-hinged rear door. The glass hatch opens independently of the rear door and helps accommodate longer items.

The angular wheel arches open to provide maximum clearance for the FJ Cruiser's large 32-inch tires at full suspension deflection. The arches are edged by flexible fender flares that resist damage during trail driving and also resist damage from the opening doors of other parked vehicles. The FJ Cruiser uses three wiper arms to provide nearly complete coverage of the wide windshield.

Interior Design

The FJ Cruiser's interior combines heritage-inspired design with the comfort and convenience of a modern Toyota SUV. The dash is bordered by upper and lower tubular forms, which frame rectangular-shaped flat panels. Large control knobs provide easy grip, even when wearing gloves. Switches for major functions, including climate and audio controls, and the optional locking rear differential, are mounted in the center dash panel within easy reach for the driver.

Seating materials are not only water-repellant, but also provide excellent ventilation. Seats are covered with a fabric backed by a special breathable resin coating to enhance the material's ability to shed liquids, making it easier seat wipe down and clean-up. Even the stitched seams of the seat covers are treated with sealant to prevent liquids from penetrating. The FJ Cruiser's floor surfaces are covered with an easy-to-clean rubber-type material.

With the optional upgrade packages, the front interior door panels are color-keyed to the exterior color. The standard full gauge package - including speedometer, tachometer, amp meter, temperature gauge and fuel gauge - uses round, black-white dials for enhanced visibility.

Seating comfort is ensured by an eight-way adjustable driver's seat and a four-way adjustable front passenger seat. The rear seatback is split 60/40, with folding (removable) bottom and back cushions that convert to a nearly flat cargo floor.

A 33-degree footwell floor angle helps the driver and front passenger maintain proper seating position for greater comfort. The rear cargo area is equipped with cargo-net hooks, multipurpose grocery-bag hooks and sturdy, floor-mounted cargo tie-down anchor points. A 115-volt accessory power outlet is also available.