Northstar Jeep Nth Brisbane for Jeep Wrangler : Jeep Wrangler vs Toyota FJ Cruiser
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Commentary by Bob Aldons - Northstar Chrysler Jeep Dodge
I'm going to start at the end of this story and not the beginning. Even I was amazed that these 2 vehicles even got so close. USA v Japan - Outdoor ruggedness v technological mastery.
Isaac Bober of The Daily Telegraph probably gets it more right than most other 'passenger vehicle' journalists I've ever read - save of course for the serious off road mags such as Jeep Action, 4x4 Australia and so on.
"Two very similar vehicles are worlds apart. The FJ Cruiser has serious off road looks and ability but is better suited to families seeking an off-road tourer. The Wrangler is more for the hardcore off-road fraternity and that's no faint praise. The numbers suggest the FJ Cruiser is superior, but it's a different equation in the real world"
And here's the bottom line. If you want a vehicle to take the kids to school, that looks cool, that will tow well and not generally leave sealed roads go and buy a Toyota Cruiser and tell the dealer that I said so. If you want a vehicle that will take you to places and through terrain that almost no other vehicle would even dip it's tyres into buy a Jeep Wrangler from Northstar Jeep.
If Ocean Road on Moreton Island, 100 mile beach on Fraser Island, the real outback, Simpson Desert, Daintree, Kakadu appeal to you, you've got to buy a Jeep. Is it smooth riding? - nope. IS it comfortable? - Nope. Will it get you out and back again - bet it will.
If you'd like to know more about the Jeep Wrangler range, call into Northstar Jeep at 320 Anzac Avenue Kippa-Ring on the Redcliffe Peninsula. We're only 20 minutes from the Brisbane Airport precinct, and a leisurely drive down the highway from Caloundra, Maroochydore, Nambour and Bribie Island. If you're out Kingaroy way, we've just been given the responsibility of looking after you good folks too.
Alternatively, check out our online site - www.northstarjeep.com.au or see more reviews at www.mycarreview.com.au .
Everyone at Northstar looks forward to welcoming you to our dealership.
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VALUE from $32,000 |
VALUE from $46,490 |
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Even adding the on-road costs to the four-door Wrangler, you're still looking at saving plenty on the FJ Cruiser. You get a hose-out interior with drainage, aircon,power windows, MP3 compatible audio system and underbody protection for the fuel tank and transfer case. |
The FJ Cruiser costs at least $10k more than the Wrangler Sport but it gets two extra doors and a bigger boot. It also gets Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, satnav, full-size spare(alloy) and power windows. And it gets a three-year, 100,000km warranty and fixed-price servicing. |
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The Wrangler Sport gets a 3.6-litre V6 which makes 209kW/347Nm and is mated, as standard, to a six-speed manual. Fuel use is just a little higher, at 11.4L/100km, than the FJ Cruiser. |
Motor-vated by a 4.0-litre petrol V6 making 200kW and 380Nm, the FJ Cruiser's five-speed auto does a decent job of getting all that oomph to the ground. Fuel use is 11.1L/100km. The FJ is a part-time 4WD that comes, as standard, with a rear differential lock. |
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From every angle, the Wrangler screams practicality. |
There's no chance of being able to slip quietly home in this. Thanks to the retro-inspired looks you'll get noticed absolutely everywhere. There's decent space front and rear and the boot is capacious. The dash is a homage to the crude panel in the FJ40. |
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As with the FJ, it doesn't have an ANCAP crash safety rating but gets the usual active and passive safety items. |
It lacks an ANCAP crash safety rating, sure, but it gets a raft of active and passive safety systems. Standard are six airbags, stability and traction controls, active front head restraints, reversing camera, three restraint anchor points plus much more. |
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Jeep's recently revised Wrangler is quite refined (on-road), given it runs live axles front and rear. |
With a Prado as the starting point, the FJ was always going to be capable. Local engineers have given the suspension a once-over so off -road it's great; on-road it's less so, the steering is a little floaty around centre and there's plenty of body roll. |
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Verdict
Two very similar vehicles are worlds apart. The FJ Cruiser has serious rough-road looks and ability but is better suited to families seeking an off -road tourer. The Wrangler is more for the hardcore off -road fraternity and that's no faint praise. The numbers suggest the FJ Cruiser is superior but it's a different equation in the real-world.
