- Toyota FJ Cruiser vs Jeep Wrangler: Difference and Comparison
- Key Takeaways
- Toyota FJ Cruiser vs Jeep Wrangler
- Comparison Table
- What is Toyota FJ Cruiser?
- What is Jeep Wrangler?
- Main Differences Between Toyota FJ Cruiser and Jeep Wrangler
- Toyota FJ Cruiser vs Jeep Wrangler — The better 4×4 SUV
- Dimensions
- Exterior
- Interior
- Engine
- Safety
Toyota FJ Cruiser vs Jeep Wrangler: Difference and Comparison
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
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.
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Toyota FJ Cruiser vs Jeep Wrangler — The better 4×4 SUV
Abhishek Katariya Mar 23, 2020 For Toyota FJ Cruiser Images User Reviews
Sport Utility Vehicles (irrespective of the new world’s view on greener and more efficient cars) are not really not going away anywhere, especially not in places like the United Arab Emirates. And almost every major automaker is keenly aware of the popularity of 4x4s in the region. So this means that there isn’t any dearth of these vehicles.
For this one, let’s focus on the Toyota FJ Cruiser and Jeep Wrangler . As we know by now, both of these are extremely popular and well-liked SUVs in the region, and they have their own respective fan bases. In the case of the FJ Cruiser, as we know it today, Toyota released it back in the mid-2000s. Interestingly enough, the FJ Cruiser doesn’t really have any newer/all-new iteration since its initial debut.
On the other hand, the Jeep Wrangler has been around for even longer — at least for well over fifty decades! The American auto giant is well-known for its 4x4s, including the likes of the Compass , Cherokee , Grand Cherokee and of course, the Wrangler. Just like its predecessor (the JK series), the all-new fourth-generation Wrangler JL is available in two-door and four-door (Wrangler Unlimited) versions.
So if you are currently in the market for a midsize SUV (and not a crossover), which one of these two would make for a better buy? Well, let’s try and find out.
Dimensions
Exterior
If we are talking about the design of these two blue-blooded off-roaders, they aren’t all that different in their overall approach. Both feature a boxy, old-school silhouette which is becoming increasingly rare in the world of SUVs these days. However, the 2020 Jeep Wrangler has received certain updates that make it a longer vehicle, while at the same time affording it more wheelbase and boot space.
Having said all that, the FJ Cruiser and Wrangler still boast a tough, rigid and time-tested body-on-frame construction — a concept that isn’t too prevalent and not as modern, thus becoming rarer with each passing model year. Of course, come close and you will notice the newer Wrangler JL gets some modern niceties that the FJ misses out on.
Some of the latest upgrades on the outside of the all-new Jeep Wrangler JL include things like fancy daytime-running lights, a reworked front and rear bumper, tubular side steps, massive side fenders, restyled side mirrors, chic-looking LED tail lamps, and a subtle roof spoiler amongst other touches.
On the other hand, the Toyota FJ Cruiser adamantly remains in the mid-2000s, at least as far as its styling is concerned. Upfront, you have the old-school ‘Toyota’ branding on the grille. This is flanked by circular headlamps, large (filament) turn indicators, a hardcore front bumper accompanied by a tough bash plate, clamshell hood with a small air-intake slit, an almost-flat windshield with three wipers.
Along the side, the FJ Cruiser comes with large, vertically-aligned wing mirrors with illumination lights, squared wheel arches with peculiar fenders, flat roofline, a twin-door setup (the rear doors being rear-hinged), and thick C-pillars.
At the back, this Toyota sports a side-hinged rear door (with its massive spare wheel), protruding rear main lamps, and a rear skid plate arrangement. Overall, the FJ Cruiser is the kind of SUV that those who have a soft corner for old-school 4x4s would love to wake up to every morning. Meanwhile, the new Wrangler not only appeals to Jeep lovers but also to those who want some modernity in their next dune basher.
Interior
Comparatively speaking, the interior of the Toyota FJ Cruiser looks dated and traditionally something you would find inside a car from its era. There are many flat and vertical surfaces in here, with old-school (but useful) analogue gauges (including an inclinometer and a compass) on the dashboard, traditional parking brake lever, manual air-con controls, grab handles, and a lever for the four-wheel-drive system.
The FJ Cruiser’s interior comes with several satin silver garnishes to boost the general ambience of this cabin. This cabin scores well when it comes to space, fit & finish, and ease of use for almost every control and accessibilities. However, a peculiarity here being the fact that the rear passengers can’t get out of the vehicle unless the front doors are already open.
Looking at the new Jeep Wrangler JL, its interior unarguably comes across as being more up-to-date and that too without losing any of its old-school charms. For example, you can get some good-quality materials here (even with contrast stitching), decent build quality & fit-and-finish, and appreciable space for passengers and even better, loads of cargo room in the back.
However, if you are into modern technology and features, then the 2020 Jeep Wrangler, even in its base Sport trim, does a better job than the FJ Cruiser GXR. Not only the better infotainment system, but also better instrument gauge, all-around visibility, and the overall touch & feel of the switchgear.
Engine
While fuel efficiency isn’t the biggest concern when buying a 4×4 like one of these, 2020 standards mean that it cannot be too bad, either. However, if we are just looking at the numbers here, it becomes clear that the older Toyota FJ Cruiser is a touch more “economical” when compared to its American rival.
When it comes to their performance, despite its smaller displacement, the Jeep Wrangler specs sheet carries a 3.6-litre V6 report in with 285 hp and 353 Nm of torque — all assisted by an 8-speed automatic transmission. In comparison, the FJ Cruiser’s 4.0-litre V6 brings in 270 hp and 380 Nm with a robust 5-speed automatic gearbox to go along with its selectable four-wheel-drive system.
If you were to firewall the accelerator, the Toyota FJ Cruiser can touch 100 kmph in around 8 seconds or so, with a top speed in the region of 180 kmph. The newer Jeep Wrangler JL, meanwhile, can hit the tonne-mark a second quicker than its Japanese rival (7.0 seconds), and its top whack is rated at 185 kmph.
Safety
Occupant safety sure has come a long way in the recent times, and unfortunately, the Toyota FJ Cruiser shows its age here (and not in a good way). It only offers two airbags (in GXR trim), while the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport comes with six. Of course, if you spend more money, the Wrangler can be had with even more safety kit.
If you don’t want to spend much, then the Toyota FJ Cruiser (with a price tag of just 147,000 dirhams) offers enough to keep you happy on most occasions. However, if you like your next 4×4 to possess better technology, more safety features, undeniably more customisations post-purchase, better on-road performance, more rear-passenger, and boot space, then the 2020 Jeep Wrangler makes for a great choice.