Best Truck/SUV for the Urban Jungle

GMC Yukon, as long as gas isn't a concern. Very handy, and surprisingly easy to park for the city.

 

If you hit potholes hard you will probably get rattles in anything you drive and if you are worried about blowing shocks you really should be driving something with solid axles and leaf springs. I would recommend an FJ-80 preferably one with factory lockers since it sounds like you are going to be traversing some punishing terrain.

 

I looked into the FJ a few years back and really liked the truck (I still like it), but was turned off by Toyota. At the time (2008), the Fjs were having an issue where the front frame was flexing and causing the fenders to bend inward at the top due to the loads/stresses of just regular street driving. I stumbled upon the issue on the FJ forum literally just as I was about to order one. I asked the dealer about the issue, who said they knew nothing. I asked Toyota about the issue, who said they knew nothing and denied the problem existed. Yet a lot of owners were reporting problems. About 6 months later in late 2008, Toyota started adding extra rigidity to the frame and front fenders to prevent the problem from happening, however they never admitted the problem even existed so a lot of owners of earlier models got stuck. A year or so later, the whole Toyota cover up thing happened with other models....go figure.

After the FJ, I considered a Wrangler and test drove a bunch, but having had other Chrysler products, I knew Chrysler quality was awful and the dealer service wasn't even subpar.

So I bought an H3, which was the best truck I ever owned. Unfortunately, earlier this year a NYC sanitation department snow plow had other ideas and unless your in an army tank, the sanitation department snow plows wins in a contest.

Net-net, if you want a FJ, lease it, and don't buy one used pre-2009 model year, as they will have this issue with the front fenders.

The new Durango looks interesting, but it is a Chrysler product.

If you don't mind pre-owned, look for a Porsche coming off lease.

 

I had an 08 GMC Sierra. The build quality was great. I didn't have any squeaks or rattles the entire time I had that truck. It went anywhere and looked the part. I would get a Yukon or Tahoe with no regrets. Plenty of aftermarket parts. You mentioned the "urban jungle". A Yukon or Tahoe will blend in a little in the bad areas.

 

i have the 07 fj cruiser since new - the TRD special edition off roader. never heard of or have problems with teh front fenders. and i have been doing some extreme off roading in colorado - even been airborne a few times. what an incredible vehicle and solid..and i have almost 70,000 miles on it..
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"what brand/model truck would be the most capable of soaking up daily direct impacts of potholes, speedbumps, and bicyclists..."

Land Rover Defender, no doubt about it IMHO.

 

I'm not down on this truck, I liked it then, and I still like it now. It's got quirky looks, a nice ride, and is fun to drive. I'm currently thinking about acquiring one for one of my sons. Could be that the TRD special edition has a beefier frame, not sure. The issue was resolved in the 2009 model after I bought my H3. This problem is out there on the net if anyone wants to research it, it's real. Even wiki has a reference to the problem, but they say it was corrected in 2008, which I think is incorrect.

It wasn't this problem per se that annoyed me, all products have issues, especially the initial model years of a new vehicle. But up until that point, Toyota was the world's golden child in terms of automotive "quality". My concern then was around Toyota and their dealers outright denying this issue existed. Shortly thereafter, Toyota's quality issues and ignorance around them became tabloid fodder when the "auto acceleration" issues came to light. Now that they've been humbled, they are more transparent about issues with their products.

 

all FJs are built on the proven Tacoma frame. no new tweaks for the FJ or the TRD model. hmmm
i am on the fj cruiser forum - i will check to see what they are saying on there - i am curious now,,

 

I will add another vote for the FJ. I have a 2007 4x4 with about 110K trouble free miles. I find it perfect for in town running around. You don't give a second thought to potholes, curbs, and bumps that you would have to negotiate very carefully (or not at all) in a normal car. It is also fantastic off road, and can tow small to medium sized stuff very well. Holds a decent amount of stuff, and has a rubber floor you can wash out so you don't have to worry about tracking in mud, dirt, or grime. I find the large (Yukon etc) sized SUVs are much more cumbersome in town due to their size. The FJ is easy to squirt in and out of traffic and easy to park.

I have read about the frame issues on the FJ boards, but have never had a problem with my truck. I think the overall percentage of trucks affected is small, but the issue is out there. There have also been reports of rear diff problems in early trucks that got fixed in 2006/2007.
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FJs are built on the Prado platform (same as Lexus GX) which is a little different compared to the Taco platform though they do share drivetrains.

I've got an '07 FJ Cruiser as well that has been heavily modded for off road use. I don't have the fender rips/bulges on mine but I did have the throwout bearing issue (currently on my third bearing with 65,000 km on the truck) which is common on the FJs and Tacomas with the 6 speed manual. Overall I love the FJ and have had a lot of fun modding it, I hope to keep it until the wheels fall off. That said, unless you're going to use it offroad I would choose a 4 Runner, it is similar to the FJ but more practical (4 doors) and more comfortable.

Also take a look at Ford Raptors, I've been eyeing them for about a year and a half and want one bad!

 

Without question, a Raptor.

Best urban assault vehicle ever, based on first hand knowledge...
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Another FJ issue is frame rust. MY FIL has one and he told me about it. When i saw the pics i couldnt believe it. Lots of rust underneath and at suspension P/u's.

 

I am a Little Partial...

On my 4th Range Rover now..
First time I leased a sport model, SC.
I truly believe that the sport is more comfortable than the full size..
This year suspension has electronic modifiers that put an end to body roll..
Just Hunker Down and Blast off!
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Between me and my wife we have owned 4 Range Rovers. A Classic, a P38, and two of the current full size Range Rovers and I am very surprised to here you say that you like the Sport better. I have never had a Sport but I have driven and ridden in one and while it is very nice to drive I do not think it is more comfortable than a full size.

Also the interior quality of the Sport is no where near the quality of a full sized Range Rover. Maybe I am just a RR traditionalist and I have gotten used to the body roll but I like the full sized RR suspension better. I also think the visibility is better in the full sized model.

 

AllTrue............The sport is 9/10ths of the overall full size..

I am basing my observations on my travels...
Each weekend I go out east, its a 110 mile drive, usually 2 1/2 to 4 hours... Been doing it for 10 years..with my last 08 sc full size , and all the others...I was screaming by 2 hours that my butt could not take it, sqirming like crazy..
Sounds odd, but now 2...4..or more hours is no pain, no discomfort.
It took getting used to the step down in size, but now I consider the full size an elephant, And now I drive a Gazelle..

BTW..mine is now an autobiography...the leather and sound insulation has been upped..and the suspension vastly improved.
This car stands third in performance behind the BMW M and CayenneTT.
but equal to the Cayenne tt in comfort at half the price.

 

I weighed several factors before buying my Excursion

ability to carry lots of people & gear

plentiful & cheap parts

easy & cheap to fix

Large

4x4

Diesel

The only truck that filled all the boxes was the 4x4 turbo diesel Excursion

 

On Certain sport models, The Interior exceeds the base model full size..

Tea and Crumpets for all..
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I think it is debatable.

This one has the upgraded leather but the interior apart from the seats (and possibly the wood on the lower console) is exactly the same as the base model.
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I think William has it down. When the food riots start, let's all pile in that thing. I'll bring the guns!