Beyond the choice of off-road capability, manual or automatic transmission and stereo options, the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser is an out-of-the box, straightforward vehicle without too many choices to consider before purchase. That’s by design, of course, as the base offerings should sell in the low-to-mid $20,000 range when they reach dealer lots in March 2006. That should make the FJ affordable to a younger set of people who find the white roof and bold look attractive. Let’s face it: if you like the style of the RAV4, the FJ Cruiser is probably a bit too spicy for your palate, and you’re probably looking for more choices in your vehicle. As for the FJ Cruiser, there’s only one model with three basic variants: a base rear-wheel-drive with a five-speed automatic transmission; a part-time four-wheel drive with a choice of the automatic transmission or a six-speed manual; and a full-time four-wheel-drive model that comes with the six-speed manual transmission. All 2007 Toyota FJ Cruisers are powered by a 4.0-liter engine that makes 239 horsepower and 278-lb. ft. of torque.

Standard equipment on all models include 17-inch black wheels fitted with P265/70R17 tires, air conditioning, power windows and door locks, black water-resistant seats, an eight-way manually adjustable driver seat, a four-way manual passenger seat, a tilt steering wheel, four cup holders (with two bottle holders), a rear-window defogger, and fuel-tank skid plates. All models come with a rear-door-mounted full-size spare, mudguards, tow hooks front and rear, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with traction control (TRAC), and an antilock braking system (ABS). An automatic limited-slip differential is standard on two-wheel-drive models. Other goodies include an audio system with six-speakers (including two ceiling speakers), two-stage driver and front passenger airbags, and a remote hood release. Color choices for the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser include Titanium Metallic, Black Diamond, Black Cherry, Sun Fusion, and Voodoo Blue.

For the most part, options come by way of three packages. The Convenience Package includes keyless entry, cruise control, power side-view mirrors with image lights, daytime running lights, privacy glass, a rear window wiper and rear parking sonar. Upgrade Package One adds A-TRAC (an active off-road traction control system), a rear locking differential, a compass, an inclinometer, a temperature gauge, an in-dash six-disc CD changer with a 400-watt inverter, 17-inch alloy wheels, a leather-trimmed steering wheel with integral controls for the stereo and cruise-control, a metal-colored shift lever, and interior door-trim inserts keyed to the vehicle's exterior color. Upgrade Package Two adds a rear subwoofer. To order either Upgrade Package, the Convenience Package must first be purchased. Individual options include side and curtain airbags, 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear locking differential, and running boards. At press time, pricing was not available for individual options or option packages.

Put it all together, and it would seem hard to beat a base model four-wheel-drive FJ Cruiser with its full-time transfer case and six-speed manual transmission, for numerous reasons starting with off-road capability, fuel economy and performance. Add side-curtain airbags and running boards, and you’ve got yourself a stylish, rock-clambering beast that lives up to the heritage of the FJ name.