Five-Point Inspection: 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser

1: Loud, Noisy and Unrefined

The FJ has a lot of presence and makes itself known in terms of its look and sound. The 4.0L V6 makes an unrefined noise that, while fun at first, gets tiresome. It might just be the noisiest engine on the market with less than eight cylinders.

But engine noise is only half the problem. The FJ’s boxy shape doesn’t cut through the air in a sleek manner. As a result, wind-noise at the front of the vehicle is unbearable and can only be countered by cranking the stereo.