Here's a comparison of the 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser versus the SWB or 3 door Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. I've put this up because Toyota has announced that a right hand drive version for the FJ Cruiser will be made for the rest of the world and it is due for release in March 2011. It was formerly a US only model.

Now that the FJ Cruiser has finally been released we have some first impressions for you to consider before buying and our own report when we get to try or even buy one!

The FJ Cruiser is priced lower than Prado starting price of $44,990 for the single range model which is probably one of the best real 4WD SUVs you can buy. Of course there are compromises - but well get to that when we get a drive one.

150 Series Toyota Prado
VS
FJ Cruiser

The FJ Cruiser the rest of the rest of the world is getting is the presumably the same as the US model originally released in 2006. Since it uses the 120 series Landcruiser platform, engine and mechanicals this comparison would seem perfectly justified. However you must remember that the FJ is not a proper 4 door - it is like the Mazda RX-8 or the BT90 with additional 'suicide' doors.

The most interesting thing about the FJ Cruiser is the exterior and interior design which is a retro inspired 40 series and prior but updated for this decade.

The exterior is large but not translated to the interior. The FJ has less leg room in the rear than the 3 door Prado. The front view is not panoramic and overall is a tad claustrophobic. Open storage containers and a inconvenient glovebox doesn't help daily drivers.

In the end we'd still buy the 3 door Prado because it is easier to live with in the normal day. However we'd take the FJ knowing that it looks great on the road and just a capable off the road and wanted a little more interior space and a saving of over $10,000 big ones!

 
Last known pricing (RRP)
LandCruiser Prado
NOT including on roads, discounts etc...
DECEMBER 2009