I've just spent the evening driving around in an enormous Toyota Land Cruiser. It was the facelifted one in the coolest possible spec: boggo Utility or, as I'm now referring to it, U.N. While it was slow, cumbersome and lacking in any sort of athleticism; it was ultimately a wonderful experience to captain such a vast vessel down the road. It's fair to say I warmed to it.
We've spoken about the Utility before, calling it the perfect antidote to overblown luxury SUVs that have forgotten their roots as overland tools. Heaven forbid that you'd take any of the current crop of 'off-roaders' off-piste. But, the Land Cruiser is different, it feels like it was born to spend its life tanking up and down craggy tracks without breaking a sweat. I even managed to get two of its wheels up a grassy bank while my fellow motorists had to sit and wait as the bin lorry blocked the road ahead.
However, while the Land Cruiser is a very worthy off-roader, it's not the most interesting or desirable of cars - unless your only other transport option is a camel. So, it got me thinking, is there another terrain-bashing Toyota out there that looks cool, won't let you down and is more desirable than the latest designer trainer. Fortunately, there is, and it's called the FJ Cruiser.
The original concept was unveiled to the American market in 2003 as a homage to the old FJ40. After a short development period (no doubt the judicious use of existing Toyota tech helped to shorten the process) the car went on sale in 2006. Not only did it faithfully retain the bold looks of the concept car, but it was a consummate off-roader thanks to truck-like underpinnings. The engineers even spent time testing the car along the Rubicon Trail - the one that Jeep fanatics regard as hallowed ground and a clear indication of the market that Toyota was trying to access.
All this hardcore 4x4 tech did make it a bit rolly-polly in the corners due, in part, to its long-travel suspension. But America's roads aren't known for their tight bends so this wasn't a major issue. What was an issue was the thirst of the 4.0-litre V6 engine, particularly when 'gas' prices increased and the market in the US swung in favour of smaller, more efficient crossovers. Sales of the FJ in America ceased in 2014. But that wasn't the end of the FJ Cruiser; it was also sold in right-hand drive form to the Japanese and Australian markets until 2017.
Australia is in fact where this particular 2011 FJ originated. It benefits from an LPG conversion which helps deal with the thirst of this bluff-fronted beast and it's got an old-school five-speed auto which should make it pain-free to drive. There's a reversing camera, too, which will be of much-needed assistance when parking (have you seen the size of that C pillar!). The dealer is even chucking in a 15-month warranty which isn't bad on a seven-year-old car. Not that you'll need it, it is a Toyota after all. So, there we are, an honest four-wheel drive with Tonka toy looks that's endlessly dependable and really cool to own. It may not have the pared down chic of the Land Cruiser Utility, but it is the coolest Toyota off-roader you can buy for under £30k.
SPECIFICATION: TOYOTA FJ CRUISER
Engine: 3,956cc V6 N/A
Transmission: five-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 268@ 5,600rpm
Torque (lb ft): 280@ 4,400rpm
MPG: 18 approx
CO2: don't ask
First registered: 2011
Recorded mileage: 25,000
Price new: $46,990 AUD or £26,595
Yours for: £27,995
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