Only a couple of vehicles qualify as off-roading icons, and Toyota’s Land Cruiser is one of them. In 2017, Toyota will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Land Cruiser’s introduction into the U.S. market. Serving as Japan's answer to the Range Rover, with its British heritage, the Land Cruiser promises a plush ride for up to eight people.
Yet, it’s still fully able to cross the most rugged, challenging, and even treacherous, terrain. In this age of crossovers, Land Cruiser is one of the last true SUVs. Over the years, it’s evolved from hard-core utility, hauling adventurers through desert and jungle terrain, to an upscale SUV for buyers who seek the very best.
What's New for 2016
Although Toyota typically makes few changes to the Land Cruiser, it’s changed significantly -- and noticeably -- for the 2016 model year. More modern now, it’s essentially received a mid-cycle refresh rather than a redesign. The body is new from the windshield pillars forward. A new eight-speed automatic transmission is installed, replacing the prior six-speed, meant to improve fuel-efficiency as well as driving refinement. LED brake lights are installed.
New standard safety systems include Frontal Collision Avoidance and Mitigation with Pedestrian Protection, plus Blind-Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Alert, and dynamic cruise control. The Entune infotainment system has been upgraded, including a 9-inch display and Siri Eyes Free Mode. Standard rear-seat entertainment consists of dual 10-inch screens. New Qi wireless charging needs no connections for charging cell phones or other devices.
Choosing Your Toyota Land Cruiser
In the U.S., the Land Cruiser comes in only one trim level: fully loaded, priced near $85,000. There are no factory options, but you do have a choice of body colors.
All Land Cruisers contain a strong 5.7-liter V8 engine that generates 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. The standard four-wheel-drive system includes a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension, as well as off-road tools such as hill start assist. Fuel economy, as expected, falls far short of frugal, estimated at 13 mpg in city driving and 18 mpg on the highway (15 mpg combined).
Inside are sumptuous semi-aniline perforated leather seats, in black or new Terra color, that can hold up to eight passengers, as well as a 14-speaker JBL audio system and a voice-activated navigation system. Also included is Toyota’s Entune suite of apps, with Bing and Pandora integration among other useful helpers for those occasions when you’re trekking out in the wilderness. Alloy wheels hold 18-inch tires. A trailer towing package is standard. So are a moonroof, surround-view camera, sonar parking sensors, aluminum running boards, and power sunshade.
A viable alternative to the similarly long-lived Range Rover, Toyota’s Land Cruiser is nearly as luxurious as its corporate near-twin, the Lexus LX570. Simply because it wears an “L” on the hood, the Lexus full-size SUV costs several thousand dollars more than a Land Cruiser, which stickers for $84,820 (including destination charge).