Reader: First let me say, it has been several days since I read the letter ("...And Cons," In Box, Apr. '07) portion of your magazine that prompted me to write this letter. To be honest I really had to take some time to calm myself. I currently work at a detail shop, and have been working in some auto-related field for about eight years now. I just recently left a position as a salesman for a Toyota Dealership. Now, take into consideration that I do not own a Toyota, and wouldn't own many of the vehicles that they produce. I'm not biased by a brainwashing ad campaign or anything like that. [We're sure you aren't.] Now that that's out of the way, I have to say that I am absolutely outraged at the idea of whoever writes responses to these letters commenting that the Kia Sorento beat the FJ Cruiser in every category of your 4x4 of the Year. [Yes, that was me, and the Kia did beat the FJ.] It is absolutely ludicrous! Better power-to-weight ratio? Better turning radius? [Simply look at the figures from our Feb. '07 issue "4x4 of the Year."] The most shocking statement in the response is, "It can wheel as well as most stock 4x4s, if you know how to drive." This has got to be some kind of rogue faction of your magazine throwing in editorial comments while you aren't looking. There is no other explanation. [Other than this is the "Letters to the Editor" column where I get to inject my rogue editorial comment derived from the fact that the Kia outdid the FJ?] I have driven many Kia Sorentos which I think everyone can agree are a very weak attempt at the midsize crossover market. Pitted against a Toyota Highlander, a GMC Envoy, a Hyundai Santa Fe, or a Ford Explorer the Kia may (and I emphasize may) have a chance at taking a 4x4 comparo. [Yeah, it did. And it came in second a few years earlier.] An FJ Cruiser? Really? The vehicle equipped with a rear locker, A-Trac (which is an absolutely amazing system), available 16-inch TRD rims with BFG A-T tires, was outdone by an SUV that drives like a crossover. Even though the Kia has a ladder frame with nine crossmembers, it drives like a car. Everyone who has ever gotten behind the wheel of a Sorento knows that. [So all of the manufacturers have tried to make SUVs ride more "carlike" but that's not a good thing?] "A button marked subwoofer should not be as important as the one marked front locker." So because the FJ Cruiser has a locker button that happens to be near one of the buttons for another option the Kia doesn't have, that's a bad thing? [Nope, the locker button is excellent, but should be complemented by a front locker button, not a subwoofer button.] By that logic every 4x4 should have two buttons that are both 3 feet around, one for engine start and another for 4x4 low. [Still looking for the connection there, sorry.] The FJ Cruiser is an amazing 4x4. I had two opportunities to drive one previous to their release to the public. Once in the mountains of Northern Arizona while working for a Toyota dealership (our product rep had one as a demo) and another at Toyota's official Ride and Drive release party. The FJ has a creepy crawl ratio that's out of this world. It has no problem with handling on or off road. It has a transfer case used to handling power from a V-8 that's about as bulletproof as you can get in a new vehicle. [Not really. You'll notice that the part-time case isn't available with the big power-you have to go to the full-time unit.] It has wonderful entry and departure angles. It has skidplates covering all that stuff you don't want having a personal relationship with rocks (engine, transmission, transfer case, and front bumper optional). It has a minimum of 10 inches of ground clearance. The best part is all of those things can be found coming straight from the factory to your dealer to your driveway. So there is no possible way that the Kia would have a chance if you outfitted the FJ with all the accessories available. [Um, our test doesn't test with accessories available unless equipped from the factory.] Bottom line, give me a two-wheel-drive FJ Cruiser with two flat tires and a rod knock, and I'll bet even money I get farther than most in a Kia Sorento. [You show up with the two-wheel-drive FJ with two flats and a rod knock, and you're on. Any day. Oh heck, bring it with four-wheel drive, just to be fair.]
Adam Hershman
via 4wheeloffroad.com