AUTO ; Toyota FJ Goes Back to the Future

The all-new 2007 Toyota FJ 4x4 offers a Land Rover-like vehicle at a Toyota-like price.

Pushing further into the "retro-car" craze, Toyota based its new sport utility vehicle on FJ40 Land Cruiser, the Japanese automaker's popular 1960s and '70s off-road model.

With a Jeep-like cabin and three windshield wipers instead of two, the $23,300 FJ reminds Motor Mouth of a Land Rover A3 - but carries a base price some $18,000 cheaper. (Admittedly, the A3 is a SIGNIFICANTLY more upscale vehicle.)

On the outside, the FJ features a wide, Crocodile Dundee-like hood and a big front bumper.

Two beefy front doors outfitted with oversized mirrors sweep over 17-inch steel wheels and past two back half-doors.

In the rear, the FJ's large hatchback features a flip-open rear windshield and an exterior-mounted, full-sized spare tire. (My test model also came with an optional $1,167 "Convenience Package" that added a tow hitch, roof rack and ornamental spare-tire cover.)

Inside, the FJ offers a rugged interior that's not afraid of water or mud.

All seats feature easy-to-clean cloth upholstery. Toyota also finished the FJ's floors with a rubber-like plastic that's perfect for sweeping out after a day in the woods or at the beach.

Similarly, the model's door interiors come with a rugged plastic finish, while the FJ's dashboard features plastic facing trimmed with sheet metal painted to match the SUV's exterior.

The spartan dash hosts just five gauges: a large speedometer, medium-sized tachometer and smaller dials to measure battery voltage, engine temperature and fuel levels.

The SUV's AM/FM/CD stereo features simple controls and a basic LQD display, while the climate system relies on just three dials - one each for temperature, fan speed and air-flow direction. No fancy digital temperature displays or dual-zone heat controls here.

As for comfort, the driver's and front passenger's seats provide good headroom, hiproom and legroom, although they rely on manual seat adjusters instead of electric ones. (You wouldn't want to sit in an electrified seat after a day of whitewater rafting, would you?)

In back, the model's split 60/40 rear seats offer good headroom and sideroom, although legroom is pretty limited when the front seats are pushed all the way back.

When not needed for passengers, the rear seats fold down to expand the FJ's already generous cargo area to a maximum 67 cubic feet.

On the road, the FJ's 4-liter, 239-horsepower V-6 engine teams up with on-demand four-wheel drive and a five-speed automatic transmission to provide good performance and true offroad capabilities.

The SUV offers good cornering and braking, while its wide windshield and "high-up" ride provide an excellent road view. Vehicle-stability control, traction control and antilock brakes also come standard.

Motor Mouth mostly tested the FJ in two-wheel drive, which provided a surprisingly smooth ride and strong acceleration. (In four-wheel drive, the model was a bit sluggish on dry pavement.)

Backing up and parking the FJ is easier than you'd expect given the model's large size, thanks to the SUV's wide rear windshield. Motor Mouth's test model also came with optional rear parking sonar (part of an $1,840 "Convenience Package") that beeps if you're about the hit something.

On the downside, the FJ offers fairly mediocre fuel efficiency.

Although the EPA rates the model at 17 mpg/city and 21 mpg/ highway, Motor Mouth logged a combined 14.6 mpg during a week of mixed city/highway test drives - and that was primarily driving in two-wheel drive.

Given that the FJ requires premium gas, filling the SUV's 19- gallon tank will set you back nearly 80 bucks at today's prices.

The model has a few other shortcomings as well.

For openers, Motor Mouth found the FJ's rear half-doors cumbersome, as they lack exterior door handles. Instead, you have reach back from the front seat and pull on INTERIOR door handles.

Similarly, Motor Mouth found the rear-view mirror hard to adjust. The FJ's flat, non-taperedwindshield means the mirror is much further forward than usual.

But the model's biggest potential drawback is its love-it-or- hate-it appearance.

True, the FJ seems a lot like a sexy Land Rover. But many SUV buyers will find the model's rugged interior a little too spartan.

On the plus side, the FJ costs significantly less than a Hummer H3 automatic ($31,100 base price, although there's a $1,550 rebate available through July 9).

The FJ's sticker also essentially ties a comparably equipped Jeep Wrangler Unlimited's base price (about $23,115).

The bottom line: If you're looking for a luxury SUV, the Toyota FJ Cruiser probably isn't for you. But if you're a real outdoorsman - or want a rugged-looking vehicle that stands out in a crowd - put your waders on and take the FJ out for test drive.

BOX: Information about the 2007 Toyota FJ 4x4 SUV:

** Base price: $23,300

** As tested: $28,344

** Type: four-wheel-drive five-passenger midsize sport-utility vehicle

** Engine: 4-liter V-6 engine (239 horsepower)

** Transmission: five-speed automatic

** Mileage: 17 mpg/city, 21 mpg/highway

** Built in: Japan

(c) 2007 Boston Herald. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.