2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser

The Mini Cooper of SUVs

It's stylish, fun, practical and affordable. Buy one if you want to stand out on the street or trail.

Interior

The FJ Cruiser is just as blocky on the inside as the outside. Toyota describes its purposeful design as "tool-like simplicity." We'd describe it as clean and progressive, particularly the upright dashboard's uninterrupted expanse.

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A versatile, largely waterproof interior, beset with black rubberized floors, bolsters the FJ's image as a machine for driving and playing in the dirt and dunes. Chunky controls can easily be twisted and dialed by big, gloved hands. Inspired touches include dash-top storage bins, a He-Man-sized glove box, triple windshield wipers and a household-style plug outlet in the cargo bay.

Unlike the Spartan 1960 Land Cruiser, the FJ Cruiser comes with a good mix of standard amenities, including power windows and locks, air conditioning and a stereo CD player with six speakers. Front side-impact and front/rear curtain airbags are optional.

With ample headroom, the interior is spacious for four passengers — a fifth in the rear seat would be a squeeze. A 60/40 split-folding rear seat tumble forward to expand cargo capacity.

Rear visibility from inside the FJ Cruiser is poor due to the large C-pillars and small rear window.

Although the FJ Cruiser has only two traditional side doors doors, each one is complemented by a small, rear-hinged "suicide" door. It's a similar design to that of Honda's Element and intended to ease access to the backseat. In reality, the rear seat is hard to get to, thanks to the lack of running boards/sidesteps and grab handles, as well as the fact that the front seatbelts actually attach to the small suicide doors, requiring front occupants to unbuckle every time a rear occupant gets in our out.

Fortunately front-seat occupants have easy access, thanks in part to a pair of grab handles on each side. The driver's seat is adjustable in eight ways and the front passenger seat in four. Although the steering wheel only adjusts up and down, not fore and aft, the ample seat adjustments should allow a broad spectrum of body sizes to find a comfortable driving position. Shorter drivers may find the front-seat headrests annoying — they're cocked at an uncomfortable angle.