When Toyota first revealed the FJ Concept, enthusiasts the world over pretty much begged them to build this retro off roader. And so, build it they did and they stayed true to the concept, adding in lots of cool details along the way. Stylistically, funky details abound from side marker lights to dash vents and roof rack to body colour inserts around the center controls. This thing really is cool.

Heading up the hill, the first thing one notices is the raspy bark from the exhaust. This is one Toyota that actually sounds like it means business. It does mean business, but unfortunately it’s been shod with tires that are better suited to cottage roads than off roading. The FJ was the only truck I drove in which the traction control came on during the climb up the washed out ski hill. Across the rock garden, the FJ slipped and slid around on the loose rocks. Up top, it climbed the rocky hump with ease, but then bottomed hard in three places in the whoops. On the climb up the lift tower, the tracs made another appearance.

I have to say that overall I was disappointed in the FJ’s off road performance in stock form. The good news for consumers is that the remedy is a simple one. Ditch the Dunlop Grantrek’s and install a real all terrain or mud terrain tire in a plus size and most of the issues we saw on the trail would be a memory. That’s a good thing, because the FJ just looks so damn cool!

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.