Toyota

oyota's Bronco

We drive the torquey TRD FJ Cruiser

By MARK VAUGHN

Toyota's TRD group bolted a supercharger onto the FJ Cruiser's V6 and gets 304 hp.

Driving the TRD-tuned V6-powered Toyota FJ Cruiser, you are immediately reminded of another fine truck, something from way back in the '60s, when displacement was king, something still celebrated regularly on the covers of four-by-four magazines nearly every month. But what was it?

A few more stomps of the throttle, and it comes to you: It's like driving an original early Bronco, one of those V8-powered bruisers built before the government intervened under the hood, when gasoline was practically free, and there was no such thing as stability control. It was the golden age of beefy torque.

The heart of this FJ beast, the thing that takes it from a perfectly stylish, retro-bodied 4x4 SUV to a thing of grunting passion, is TRD's supercharger package. It features an Eaton Roots-type supercharger with a water-to-air intercooler and high-flow injectors. It boosts intake pressure by 6 to 8 psi and throttles horsepower in the 4.0-liter 24-valve V6 up from the stock 236 to 304 at 5400 rpm. Torque, the thing you feel most in this application, jumps from 266 lb-ft to 334 at 3600 revs. Oh, what a feeling.

The kit costs $4,500 plus installation, but, man, you get a return on investment every time you step on the throttle. It's fun! Our truck had the six-speed manual with a big eight-ball shifter knob, which only increased our enjoyment of this powertrain. We also had the $3,345 TRD Sport package, which included a sport suspension with 17-inch alloy wheels, Bilstein shocks, limited-slip differential and a bunch of cosmetics. That adds a bit to the $23,230 starting price of an FJ, but it's worth it at the wheel. Plus, if you get it installed by a Toyota dealer, it comes with a Toyota warranty. Find more info at www.trdusa.com.

2008 Toyota 4Runner Sport

The ride of the Toyota 4Runner Sport is a bit stiff, but it handles snow storms with ease.

As-tested price: $36,062
Drivetrain: 4.0-liter V6; 4wd, five-speed automatic
Output: 236 hp @ 5200 rpm, 266 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm
Curb weight: 4530 lb
Fuel economy (EPA/AW): 18/16.2 mpg
Options: Power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade ($900); satellite radio ($449); weight-carrying tow hitch and ball mount ($430); alarm system ($359); premium sound ($200); spoiler with high-mounted stop lamp ($200); floor and cargo mats ($199); daytime running lights ($40)

Editor's note: Today's Drive has become Short Stint, but the information is still the same--a brief impression of a vehicle that's been in our test fleet.

OUR TAKE: Our Sport-trim test vehicle, with its upgraded suspension, is quite the handler. While the ride does get a bit rough when encountering big bumps, the 4Runner takes turns nicely with the meaty off-road tires. Steering has a nice weight, and response is good.

The 4.0-liter V6 is plenty potent, with quick pickup and smooth operation mated to the auto gearbox. Unless you tow often, there's little need to upgrade to the V8. The brakes are strong and grabby--almost too grabby, but we'll take that over the mushy pedal feel of many similar midsize utes.

The interior is nice and simple, with plenty of spots to hold belongings, though we find the climate controls a bit annoying, with separate buttons for each fan setting. Note to Toyota: There's nothing wrong with a knob.

We're also reminded of what's so great about having an SUV during a snowstorm. A quick click of the dashboard dial puts the 4Runner into 4wd, and this puppy is unstoppable.

2008 Toyota Camry LE

The Toyota Camry is functional, capable, reasonable--and boring.

As-tested price: $23,883
Drivetrain: 2.4-liter I4; fwd, five-speed automatic
Output: 158 hp @ 6000 rpm, 161 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Curb weight: 3307 lb
Fuel economy (EPA): 25 mpg
Options: Moonroof package including power tilt/slide moonroof with dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors and rear personal lamps ($940); vehicle stability control with traction control ($650); security system ($359); carpet trunk mat set ($199)

OUR TAKE: This is a perfectly functional, perfectly capable, perfectly reasonable, perfectly boring automobile. The new styling is pleasant enough but already starting to look a little dated, while the interior should have been redone before it even hit the market. Again, all pleasant enough and functional enough, but it's duller than an empty office cubicle.

At the same time, the little four-cylinder is peppy and fun, despite the power-sapping limitations of the automatic transmission. The car drives smoothly and quietly enough up to about 70 mph, and then things turn a little raucous and unsettled, almost as though Toyota engineered the car to the U.S. freeway speed limit, but not a touch beyond.

Toyota has been able to get away with this for years, thanks to its impeccable quality and lack of surprises. But with cars such as the Ford Fusion and Chevrolet Malibu out there--not to mention the new Honda Accord and the hungry Koreans--the competition is a lot tougher these days. For a change, it's Toyota that needs to do better if it wants to keep its position.

2008 Toyota Corolla XRS

The '08 Corolla XRS is a bit more fun to drive than the previous version.

JACOB LINGEMAN

As-tested price: $22,755
Drivetrain: 2.4-liter I4; awd, five-speed manual
Output: 158 hp @ 6000 rpm, 162 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Curb weight: 2877 lb
Fuel economy (EPA/AW): 25/24.5 mpg
Options: Leather package, including leather seats and headrests, molded-leather door trim, leather-covered center console with sliding arm rest and front seat heaters ($1490); premium sound, with six-disc CD changer with WMA/MP3 playback capability, satellite radio, Bluetooth, eight-speaker system, steering-wheel audio controls ($1060); power package, including power windows with driver's-side one-touch down, remote keyless entry ($635); all-weather package, including heavy-duty heater with rear-seat heater duct, antichip tape and color-keyed heated outside mirrors ($150)

OUR TAKE: Remember the last Corolla? It was about as fun to drive and to look at as waiting in line at the DMV. They are usually steered by people who want reliability and see driving solely as a means to get from one place to another. And their cars are most likely painted in exciting colors such as beige, white and silver.

For the all-new 10th-generation model, the XRS adds a little flavor to the Corolla's bland recipe. The body kit, with front lip, side sills and spoiler, give it some visual flair. The fog lights help, too.

It's not a bad runner, either, and can be entertaining at times. Steering is responsive with the new electronic power system that provides good weight at high speeds but lightens up in low-speed situations. The ride is stable and comfortably during 80-mph jogs down the expressway and exhibits acceptable body roll when maneuvering around town.

The revised 2.4-literis powerful enough in combination with the manual and is very smooth. Brakes are a disappointment, with a mushy pedal feel.

Cabin comfort is high, with a surprisingly quiet environment for this class of car. Seats offer good support, and most surfaces are made of hard but good-looking materials.

The as-tested price, however, made us wince. Lopping off some of the frills to get the sticker closer to $20,000 makes a little more sense to us.