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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
There’s something even more exclusive about the 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser, incidentally, the availability of a unique version that Toyota unveiled to Canadians at the Vancouver International Auto Show, dubbed Trail Teams Special Edition. Most noticeable is the model’s Heritage Blue paint scheme, which is very un-heritage-like as its roof isn’t painted white like the original FJ40 and most FJ Cruisers that have come since. No matter as it looks great, adding a custom appearance that’s only enhanced by its black 16-inch TRD beadlock-style alloy rims on LT265/75R16 BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A tires. The bumpers, mirror caps and door handles are a matching matte black, while the grille surround is painted in classic gloss white. The Special Edition is topped off with a set of black off-road roof
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Those familiar with the FJ know that the exterior paint finish carries over into the cabin for a cool retro look, although the Special Edition gets unique polished black shift and 4WD selector knobs to dress things up. The rest of the interior is standard FJ Cruiser fare, but that’s by no means spartan. A dual-DIN audio interface sits front and centre, featuring AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA and satellite radio compatibility, while the usual aux and USB plugs make it easy to plug in your external device. If you’d rather listen to audio wirelessly, Bluetooth streaming audio
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Additionally, every FJ includes a rear differential lock, front and rear tow hooks, a rear step bumper and Toyota’s Star Safety System of safety features, such as ABS-enhanced four-wheel disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, traction and stability control, Smart Stop Technology, which automatically
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
The Trail Teams Special Edition also comes standard with the FJ’s Off-Road package that consists of Bilstein shocks all-round, 4-Wheel Crawl Control, powered mirrors, a cargo mat, overhead console box, rear privacy glass and more, not to mention the aforementioned roof rack.
Like all FJ Cruisers, four-wheel drive is standard. Models with the manual gearbox get Toyota’s trusted part-time 4WD with a two-speed transfer case and an automatic disconnecting differential, while the SUV’s vehicle stability control and active
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
If you haven’t yet driven an FJ Cruiser, you’re in for a treat. First off, this isn’t a regular old 4×4 with solid axles front and back. The FJ’s ride is much better than these beasts of burden could ever achieve, much thanks to an independent suspension featuring double wishbones, gas shocks, coil springs and a stabilizer bar up front, plus gas shocks, coil springs, and a stabilizer bar combined with a four-link lateral track bar setup in the rear. It makes off-roading more comfortable and improves high-speed handling too. This means that the FJ feels part luxury car part sport sedan when compared to traditional utes like the Jeep Wrangler, yet it
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
The FJ’s tow rating is identical to the 4Runner’s at 2,268 kilos (5,000 lbs), as is its ground clearance at 245 millimeters (9.6 inches). Where the FJ’s shorter body comes into play is in approach and departure angles, the FJ capable of 34 degrees up front and 31 at the rear compared to the 4Runner’s 33- and 26-degree approach and departure angles.
The
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Where the FJ also comes up a bit short is in passenger and load carrying space, but of course this was planned, being that this model was designed to be 150 millimeters shorter than a 4Runner and ride on a 100-mm shorter wheelbase so that
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Accessing the rear seats is easy too, providing the front door is open as well. It’s a clamshell affair on both sides, so even if you’re letting out a back passenger the person
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Pricing for the 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser starts at $33,540 plus $1,690 for freight and pre-delivery prep, whereas this top-line Trail Teams Special Edition can be had for $41,925, the only option being the as tested automatic transmission, which pushes the price up to $43,165.
So stop sobbing FJ Cruiser fans, and take this final opportunity to own a brand new example of a 4×4 that might just become a modern-day classic like the legendary FJ40 that preceded it.
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