FJ Cruiser, Family friendly?????

[97 4runner]

Just looking for some feedback from those of you that have an FJ Cruiser and small children. We have 2 little girls in carseats and are looking to sell our Outback and get either a 4th generation 4runner or an FJ Cruiser if practical. I drive a built up 80 series and that will stay for sure!!

Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[FirstToy]

I think the FJC is workable but you can't beat the practicality of the traditional 4 door layout w/ a family. Accessing the carseats is going to be just much easier in the 4Runner.

The 4Runner has a lot of nice features and touches for the front and rear passenger areas as well as some great convienence touches. Also, it is more upscale inside.
That 5spd auto + V8 combo is enticing as well. The FJC's V6 is a solid option avail in the 4R as well.

The FJC, being more focused and hardcore, has a different mission: being geared for the offroader and not as a family wagon per se.

I would recommend testing them out at the dealership- bring a couple seats and load the kids- see how it feels for you and the wife.

 

[97 4runner]

Thanks FirstToy,

I am very familiar with all models, my last ride was a modified 3rd generation 4runner and I loved it! as I do my 80 series. My good friend has an FJ Cruiser and I know what it can do off road

As long as it is Toyota I'll be happy.

 

[Honu]

we have one with another one on the way
those largest car seats that britax makes for the kids up to 80 lbs we have on in and no issues it fits fine

we thought about the regular 4 door but the FJ is well a FJ nothing else like it

I guess the one side is we know they wont be jumping out the side doors or rolling down the windows chucking stuff out hehehhe

but I dont know how much tougher it is to get access ? the only downside is when in a parking lot doing the back and forth shuffle cause of the side doors but access to them is easy enough
I guess a small penalty for a great rig that we love

I do wish the seats were on slides so I could slide them back more give them more room
I had thought of moving them back say 8 inches or so ? but I dont think it will be possible from glancing at it ? or would be a tough mod so doubt it will happen

if I want easy doors I will get a sliding door mini van ????


I would say do what I did bring the car seat down and load them up and drive it with them in it see how it goes

 

[65-fj45]

I have two young boy's and have had the Fj for over two years now, it has worked out great for us. we have one in a car seat and the other in a booster, with no trouble getting them in or out.

 

[Brock]

I had two small girls with a 2 door Jeep Cherokee. Yep it was a change after having four doors but we left the car seats installed all the time so that was not an issue. After a couple weeks I would set them on rear floorboard and they would climb up in their seats and help pull the buckles and straps down. They loved riding in the jeep... Infants are tough as you have to do it all...but with the suicide doors it is much much easier than a traditional 2-door vehicle.

I think you will be happy and the young ladies will adjust and do just fine....and their need for carseats will only last a couple more years whereas the FJ will be around for a long time afterwards.

Good luck...

 

[knoll0351]

Ours are two and three and it works great so far. I can't wait for their car seats to turn into boosters and they won't be able to reach our seats from theirs But I don't know of anything aside from a mini van that the seats are far enough back that they can't inadvertantly kick the front seats...

 

[Brock]

they are always going to put their feet on back of seats....so either get on them every time until they stop or just make sure their shoes dont have stuff on them that will ruin back of seats. My girls loved the wrangler and then the cherokee....they are 21 and 19 now and got their own cars......but youngest dreams of a Wrangler when she gets out of school and has her loans paid off...and oldest wants a 4Runner...LOL

 

[Bytor]

I just purchased an '08 FJ. I have two kids 3 & 1. The other car is an Outback and the FJ is 10x easier getting the kids in and out. The suicide doors actually make it easier and the heigth makes less strain on the back!

Only drawback is that the 3 year old wants the window down. However enough air blasts through the front window for ventilation.

When purchasing the vehicle my biggest concern was the child seats and that has turned into my biggest priase for the vehicle. Also, we can comfortable fit an adult between the two car seats in the back, which is a bonus.

THNX!

 

[rfjtoy]

My extra riders are adults and the wife says the FJ is two seater, not too pleased with getting in and out of the back seat. Although she still seams able to drive from back there.

 

[Brock]

I never buy vehicles based on how an adult feels in back seat....they dont ride there enough to warrant my concern....and if they do and dont like it then maybe they will offer to drive more going to lunch and bars..... back seats are for kids, mother in laws, and people you work with for lunch breaks.

I always say...I got my seat and it is plenty comfy. If back seats were as good as front then nobody would be yelling SHOTGUN!!!!!! for the past 60 years to ride in front. LOL hahahahahahahahaha

 

[Biff]

I have both a 4th gen 4runner and an FJ. My two kids 3 and 5 complain that they don't have enough room in the back of the FJ. The FJ has its advantages and dis advantages over the runner. One thing you have to be on top of are the suicide doors, make sure hands are in because you can easily crush a hand if you are not watching. The runner is much roomier and holds more, but can't do the same things as the FJ.

 

[arodweb]

I got 2 girls and they love riding on the FJ......i got each a DVD unit behind the front headrests.

When we travel, i take my 2 labs, a camper on top of the car........and everybody happy

 

[wheeels373]

I find that getting the car carrier (I have a 4 month old) is pretty easy and the clamshells give you a lot of room.

The downside is when you are in a parking lot and cars are close to you. That requires a little ballet to get around the side doors and into the back.

That is really the only drawback I see and the other benefits of the FJ help you forget about the nuisance.

 

[tddfj]

x2 brock. same thing i tell people. i have my place to sit.

 

[gaylonw]

I have a four year old grandson that travels with me and...

...he would rather take the FJ most days, he likes the back seat DVD and from his high center seat position he can see all the action.
He does like the 62,he calls it the Blue Land, because with no airbags he can join me in the front.
In the 80(the Green Land), I sometimes let him ride in the way back in his car seat and he likes that as well.
As far as the ease with which I get him in and out; the FJ wins hands down...gm