You know when I first started looking at capable 4wd vehicles around 2008 I did a lot of research on a lot of makes and models. And the two that keep coming up the most were the Jeep Wrangler JK and the Toyota FJ Cruiser. These both had all the options I wanted, they were capable off-road, and they both kind of looked good.
For some reason I have always liked the look, lines, and curves of the FJ. The look just resonated to me. And when caught a look at these two FJ’s together all the past feelings came flooding back. These two looked like a marriage of fun loving vehicles ready to go exploring.
So the next step was to do a test drive. The Toyota FJ Cruiser did have a smoother ride while the Jeep Wrangler JK was easier to get into and you could remove all the tops. I agonized over the decision for many weeks. The Toyota FJ Cruiser was a lot less expensive and had the good Toyota name behind it while the Wrangler only had one year of previous models underneath its build history so you did not know what the deal was with the longevity of the line.
Well after many more days after those initial weeks of deciding I finally made a decision. Well it wasn’t so much as I made a decision as it was that a decision was made for me. My wife told me to buy the Jeep as I would not be happy with the Toyota FJ Cruiser, because of its two doors and half rear doors and lack of top removal.
Boy in hindsight I can tell you she couldn’t have been more right. From day one I am glad about the decision I made buying the Jeep Wrangler JK. First getting in an out of the Jeep is a lot easier than the FJ.
The rear doors of the Toyota FJ Cruiser had to be opened only with the front doors opened. While the interior was a little nicer in the FJ and the ride was better the FJ just lacked the open freedom of the Wrangler Freedom tops. See you can take one, two, or all three tops off and enjoy the open air.
So perhaps you are in the same dilemma and want either one of these cool vehicle then maybe this will help out a little. Don’t take my word for it, go out and look at them, test drive them, and go through your own agonizing process of trying to pick one!
