This real-world drive review of the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ has been shared on YouTube by Mr How Much on their channel. It starts off with the journalist mentioning that he has arrived at the official launch event of this SUV in Cape Town, South Africa. Following this, he then gets into the top-of-the-line variant of the Land Cruiser FJ and mentions that this SUV has a lot to live up to due to the Land Cruiser badge that it carries.
The vlogger then starts talking about the driving dynamics, pros, and cons of this SUV. The first thing that he mentions is that the Land Cruiser FJ’s biggest drawback is its powertrain. He explains that currently, at the time of the launch, Toyota is not offering the Land Cruiser FJ with its reliable and powerful diesel engine. Instead, it is only offering it with the 2.7-litre petrol engine, which is the same that is offered with the Toyota Fortuner in India.
This engine in the Land Cruiser FJ is capable of producing 164 bhp and 245 Nm of torque, which, according to the vlogger, feels underpowered. He explains that this engine performs adequately during everyday driving, and it is suitable for normal commuting. It is also very comfortable during highway cruising. However, the SUV feels underpowered considering its size and off-road intentions.
Also, its torque delivery is not very exciting, and he mentions that the diesel engine would suit the vehicle much better. Next up, the vlogger mentions that the fuel efficiency of this SUV is also very poor. The company claims that it offers an average fuel consumption figure of 10.7 litres per 100 km. However, during the drive, which included highway sections, mountain roads, and off-road trails, the test vehicle recorded a significantly higher figure of 14.7 litres per 100 km.
After talking about the major issue with the Land Cruiser FJ, the reviewer highlighted one of the most important advantages of this SUV. He states that even though it may be underpowered, the 2.7-litre petrol engine is a proven Toyota engine that has been used in multiple vehicles across global markets for many years. It has been thoroughly tested, and it is extremely reliable and has a strong reputation for long-term durability.
One of the biggest surprises that the vlogger highlighted was the Land Cruiser FJ’s highway performance. He mentions that despite being built primarily as a rugged off-roader, the SUV offered excellent stability at higher speeds. The vehicle also felt planted and inspired confidence during highway driving. He also states that Toyota has done a commendable job of balancing the toughness needed for off-roading with on-road comfort.
After stopping during the drive, the vlogger then talks about the interior of the Land Cruiser FJ. He mentions that the cabin follows a very modern and practical design philosophy. However, there are a lot of hard plastic surfaces throughout the interior. The overall layout feels functional and user-friendly.
He adds that the infotainment system supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, both systems require a wired connection. One feature that the vlogger highlights and is very appreciative of is that Toyota has decided to retain physical climate control buttons, unlike many modern vehicles that bury climate controls inside touchscreen menus.
Next up, the vlogger mentions that the top-of-the-line variant of the Land Cruiser FJ comes equipped with synthetic leather upholstery. However, seat adjustments remain manual. Moving to the rear seats, the Land Cruiser FJ offers adequate space for adults, and passengers will have enough room for normal journeys. However, taller occupants could notice that their feet occasionally come into contact with the front seats.
After this, the vlogger highlights that the Land Cruiser FJ, despite its price tag, misses out on a few important things. He mentions that the rear seat does not get a centre armrest. Also, there are no rear AC vents and no USB charging ports for rear passengers. As for the boot, it offers sufficient space for travel luggage and weekend getaway bags.
The drive then continues, and they drive the vehicles over mountains and off-road terrain. He highlights that the SUV comes offered with a part-time 4WD system with high and low-range gears. All of these make the Land Cruiser FJ a very capable off-roader. Overall, the vlogger mentions that he is impressed by this SUV.
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