Off-roading is exciting and adventurous. It is equally important to choose the right off-roading vehicle.
While choosing such a vehicle, features like suspension, skid plates, tires of all-terrain, ground clearance, low range, and security options should be evaluated.
The two main off-road SUVs in the automobile market are the Toyota FJ Cruiser and Jeep Wrangler.
Key Takeaways
- The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a mid-size SUV produced from 2006 to 2014, while the Jeep Wrangler is a compact SUV that has been in production since 1986.
- The Toyota FJ Cruiser has a more modern and stylish design compared to the rugged and classic look of the Jeep Wrangler.
- The Jeep Wrangler has better off-road capabilities and is a popular choice among off-road enthusiasts, while the Toyota FJ Cruiser has a more comfortable and spacious interior.
Toyota FJ Cruiser vs Jeep Wrangler
The difference between the Toyota FJ Cruiser and Jeep Wrangler is that the Toyota FJ Cruiser is a retro-styled off-roader SUV manufactured by Toyota while Jeep Wrangler is a sophisticated and quirky-styled off-roader SUV manufactured by Jeep.
Toyota FJ cruiser does not have a lot of room, but the boot and front area are spacious. The floor is high, and the controls are big. The doors are small and hinged.
It provides free service for three years at an interval of 6-months. It has security features like six airbags, electronic stability, and a blind-spot monitor.
While the Jeep Wrangler has a lot of cabin space, the luggage space is tiny. The SUV is quite heightened and allows the folding and removal of rear seats.
It has a responsive engine and gearbox. The security features are four airbags, a tire pressure monitor, a rear camera, and heated mirrors.
Comparison Table
Parameters of comparison | Toyota FJ Cruiser | Jeep Wrangler |
---|---|---|
Engine | V6 engine that supports 4 liters produces 260 hp at 5600 rpm | V6 engine that supports 3.6 liters produces 285 hp at 6400 rpm |
Wheelbase | Shorter wheelbase of 105.9″ | Longer wheelbase of 118.4″ |
Transmission | It comes with 6-speed manual and 5-speed automatic transmission | It comes with 6-speed manual and 8-speed automatic transmission |
Design | Retro-inspired model; the front, rear, and boot area is spacious | Looks sophisticated; the front and rear area is moderately spacious and the boot area is tiny |
Fuel efficiency | 16 mpg in the city and 20 mpg in the highway | 18 mpg in the city and 21 mpg in the highway |
What is Toyota FJ Cruiser?
Toyota FJ Cruiser is a mid-size SUV. It is manufactured by Toyota and was launched in 2006. It was designed by Jin Won Kim and Akio Nishimura.
It is available in two transmissions – a 5-speed automatic and a 6-speed manual. The V6 engine supports 4.0 litres of petrol.
It is a 5–door SUV with a length of 185 inches, a width of 75 inches, and a height of 72 inches. To understand the exact size, the size is between Highlander and RAV4.
Hino Motors, a subsidiary of Toyota, was the initial manufacturer of the Toyota FJ Cruiser. It is a retro-styled car and resembles the 2005 Mustang for Ford.
The FJ cruiser has a short wheelbase and arrangement of grille-headlight. It has three windshield wipers and provides huge coverage. To protect from side impact, it has a steel cover.
The elements provided in the FJ cruiser are ideal for off-roading. The controls are quite oversized to cater grip to gloved drivers.
The SUV has a powerful engine and can produce 239 hp at 5200 rpm of torque with single-valve timing. It even has a side curtain and torso airbags and provides overall security.
The SUV was initially built for the market in North America but later sold globally.
The Toyota FJ Cruiser is available in four variants – TRD Special Edition, Trail Teams Special Edition, 2014 Trail Teams Ultimate Edition, and ARB Edition FJ Crawler.
What is Jeep Wrangler?
The Jeep Wrangler is a mid-size compact SUV. It was manufactured by Jeep in 1986.
It has been produced by American Motors Corporation (AMC), Willys, and Kaiser-Jeep. It is considered a descendant model of the original military model.
The length of the SUV is 192 inches, the width is 75 inches, and the height is 73 inches. Jeep Wrangler has a long wheelbase and four-door models.
It has four generations – YJ in 1987, TJ in 1996, JK in 2007, and JL in 2018. The Jeep Wrangler is one of the best of its type.
It was awarded the “Best Resale Value Award” in 2009 from Kelley Blue Book in the category of sport utility and even for a compact sport utility vehicle.
It has also been awarded the “4×4 of the Year Award” by Four magazine and Petersen’s 4-wheel and off-road award.
Jeep Wrangler has a record in the Guinness World Record for attaining the highest altitude. It has been named one of the Most Iconic Cars of the Last 20 years, with the least depreciation value after five years.
The Jeep Wrangler is also available in the electric variant. This variant provides a 64 km range before the start of the gas engine.
Main Differences Between Toyota FJ Cruiser and Jeep Wrangler
- Toyota FJ cruiser has a ground clearance of 10.6 inches while Jeep Wrangler has a ground clearance of ground.
- Toyota FJ cruiser has an exhaust that sits higher and can be driven in two-feet-deep water, while the Jeep Wrangler has an exhaust that sits lower.
- Toyota FJ cruiser has more features for safety, like head restraints and roof strength, while the Jeep Wrangler has moderate features for safety, like a small overlap front.
- The Toyota FJ Cruiser is available in four variants – TRD Special Edition, Trail Teams Special Edition, 2014 Trail Teams Ultimate Edition, and ARB Edition FJ Crawler while the Jeep Wrangler is available in four generations – YJ in 1987, TJ in 1996, JK in 2007, and JL in 2018.
- The Toyota FJ cruiser is a tenth of a second faster than the Jeep Wrangler as the FJ cruiser runs at 16.2 seconds at 84.4 mph while the Wrangler runs at 16.1 seconds at 83.6 mph.
I think the Toyota FJ Cruiser is the better choice for everyday use due to its comfort and more spacious interior, but the Jeep Wrangler does have better off-road capabilities.
The history and design of these SUVs is fascinating, it’s interesting to see how they have evolved over the years.
This comparison gives great insights into these two off-roading SUVs. It’s a thorough analysis of all the important features and differences that should be considered before making a choice.
I’m not too sure about the Toyota FJ Cruiser, it seems to have more limitations in terms of cabin space and luggage capacity than the Jeep Wrangler.
The Toyota FJ Cruiser and the Jeep Wrangler are two great options with different advantages, it all depends on what you are looking for in an off-roading vehicle
I agree, it’s important to consider what kind of off-road experience you’re looking for
The comparison of the different parameters provides such detailed information, it definitely helps in understanding the unique features of each vehicle.
While the Toyota FJ Cruiser has some great features, the Jeep Wrangler’s off-road capabilities are certainly impressive. Still, the choice depends on the specific preferences and needs of the user.
Both vehicles have their strengths, and it’s essential to weigh all the factors before deciding. This comparison does a great job of highlighting those factors.