DRIVE-First Local Drive: New Toyota LandCruiser

[Monster]

Probably the 1st review for the new LandCruiser. For diehard fans only.

The Australian outback provides a suitable test setting for Toyota's all-new, 200-Series LandCruiser - and the first signs are that the iconic 4WD has made a leap in both comfort and technology. By TOBY HAGON.

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A muddy Alice Springs was the backdrop for our first taste test of the all-new Toyota LandCruiser 200-Series.

It almost seems sacrilege traipsing the outback’s characteristic red mud through the generously upmarket cabin of the new LandCruiser.

But Toyota is keen to demonstrate the 200-Series LandCruiser is up to any off-road task, and a little bit of mud won’t hurt.

While our introduction was relatively brief – at least compared with the long journeys many owners will no doubt embark on – it’s immediately clear the new LandCruiser is immensely capable.

First impressions are of a supremely comfortable machine that is all but unfazed by large bumps and undulations.

Some corrugations get the tail bouncing ever so slightly, before the stability system kicks into life and corrects the vehicle.

We could live without the annoying beeping associated with the intervention of the stability control system. Thankfully, however, it can be switched off completely, something that was required on the slick, muddy roads we traversed.

The standout of the new Toyota LandCruiser 200-Series is that it’s eerily quiet and comfortable.

Sure, LandCruisers have always been comfortable and competent, but the new 200-Series LandCruiser pits the LandCruiser among the best in the luxury 4WD class when it comes to comfort.

It’s also hard to pick the difference between the petrol V8 and the diesel V8 when it comes to refinement.

Even after a few kilometres one colleague thought we were travelling in the petrol model, when we were actually in the diesel.

It’s an indication of how quiet and smooth the new 4.5-litre twin-turbo diesel is.

The diesel is also refreshingly responsive and muscular. Then again, you’d expect that with a hefty 650Nm of torque to play with.

Squeeze the throttle and it lurches forward with enthusiasm, all the while maintaining its refinement. Even though some models weigh in excess of 2.7 tonnes, the LandCruiser always feels eager to move.

The diesel V8 also teams well with the six-speed automatic transmission.

The petrol V8 is also impressively smooth and punchy, although after experiencing the diesel, you soon realise what it’s missing in the middle engine revs compared with the diesel.

Sure, the V8 petrol engine is punchy and refined, but it doesn’t have the ultimate muscle of the diesel. For that reason, the diesel should prove the weapon of choice for those planning to utilise the 3.5-tonne towing capacity.

Heading into the scrub gave us the opportunity to really test the LandCruiser’s mettle. Then again, the new LandCruiser 200-Series underwent much of its development testing in the Australian outback, so expectations are high.

Again, even on choppy, slow-speed dirt roads and deep washouts the LandCruiser feels supremely comfortable and composed. The car’s body will still rock and roll, but there’s little in the way of harshness coming through the suspension.

The innovative Crawl Control function – which maintains one of three pre-set speeds on slow, slippery off-road surfaces – adds a dose of simplicity to the way the LandCruiser goes about its business.

When navigating steep slopes, the electronic clunking and graunching can get annoying, but the LandCruiser maintains its poise and control. However, in its slowest setting, of around 2km/h, the LandCruiser’s Crawl Control function tends to surge forward and back mildly, almost like a bad taxi driver in traffic. In its slightly faster (but still slow) settings, it’s not as noticeable.

The new KDSS suspension endows the LandCruiser with impressive wheel articulation, giving each wheel the best chance of coming into contact with the ground.

In sandy river beds, too, the constant four-wheel-drive system and traction control feed power expertly to each wheel, ensuring easy and effortless progress.

That’s the thing that becomes immediately evident in our first drive; it’s how effortlessly the LandCruiser tackles sometimes tricky terrain.

Our off-road course by no means stretched the LandCruiser’s ability, but it did show how easily it handles the rough stuff.

There’s little doubt the vehicle of choice for the outback – the Toyota LandCruiser – has taken another big step upmarket, adding another dose of luxury and technology.

It’s an impressive beast that’s sure to continue its dominance in the outback.

That said, the most crucial test for the new LandCruiser is yet to come. Drive hasn’t sampled the car in what many consider its natural environment – the suburbs of big cities like Sydney and Melbourne.

From First local drive: new Toyota LandCruiser - drive.com.au

 

[Bruce]

Bah, I miss the old 'Cruiser.

 

[Monster]

Don't worry mate, Toyota still make the LandCruiser 70. This new one is just too big and too heavy. I don't really know who is going to buy this.

 

[ateekt]

Bah, I miss the old 'Cruiser.

Rightly said mate, that (last) one is a legend indeed ...!

 

[coolraoul]

It is incredible, they managed to designed it even much worse than the previous one...
I know why Toyota earns so much money, it is because they save money by not having any designer...

 

[Bruce]

Don't worry mate, Toyota still make the LandCruiser 70. This new one is just too big and too heavy. I don't really know who is going to buy this.

Good to hear.

Rightly said mate, that (last) one is a legend indeed ...!

Indeed.

 

[Yaz]

I just watched MotorWeek's test drive of it. I've seen a couple of them on the street too.

I've only loved the Middle Eastern spec'd Land Cruisers. The rest of the world gets the boring versions, I don't know why. I also wonder why the rest of the world isn't getting the new 5.7L V8, only the US market is getting that engine.

Don't worry mate, Toyota still make the LandCruiser 70. This new one is just too big and too heavy. I don't really know who is going to buy this.

Man, don't remind me of my friend's LC 70 in the Mideast.That's one serious offroader. It has so much power that the wheels used to spin every time I shifted gear. That thing would climb up any hill without a problem.

I'm just wondering monster, why don't you guys down under get the Middle Eastern version? They're built/assembled in Australia and would be great for the outback.

 

[Monster]

I just watched MotorWeek's test drive of it. I've seen a couple of them on the street too.

I've only loved the Middle Eastern spec'd Land Cruisers. The rest of the world gets the boring versions, I don't know why. I also wonder why the rest of the world isn't getting the new 5.7L V8, only the US market is getting that engine.


Man, don't remind me of my friend's LC 70 in the Mideast.That's one serious offroader. It has so much power that the wheels used to spin every time I shifted gear. That thing would climb up any hill without a problem.

I'm just wondering monster, why don't you guys down under get the Middle Eastern version? They're built/assembled in Australia and would be great for the outback.

I think we get the 5.7L V8 in Australia as well. I don't think the LC 70 is built or assembled in Australia, we get ours from Thailand, I could be wrong though. The farmers in the outback still use them, they have kept theirs for more than 20 years now.

 

[Yaz]

I think we get the 5.7L V8 in Australia as well. I don't think the LC 70 is built or assembled in Australia, we get ours from Thailand, I could be wrong though. The farmers in the outback still use them, they have kept theirs for more than 20 years now.

Check it again. It's still the old 4.7L v8 but this time with VVt-i.

Sorry, I was refering to the LC 200. I was wondering why you don't get the same versions the Middle East gets when they are built in Australia. Same goes with the LC 70.

 

[Monster]

Check it again. It's still the old 4.7L v8 but this time with VVt-i.

Sorry, I was refering to the LC 200. I was wondering why you don't get the same versions the Middle East gets when they are built in Australia. Same goes with the LC 70.

I checked last night as well. I thought we would get the new 5.7L V8 for the new LandCrusier since Toyota does consider Australia as an important market for the 4WD.

As for why Australia doesn't get the Middle East version of the LandCruiser, I have no answer for that, I didn't even know there are differences between them, so thanks for the info.

 

[cawimmer430]

Sure, LandCruisers have always been comfortable and competent, but the new 200-Series LandCruiser pits the LandCruiser among the best in the luxury 4WD class when it comes to comfort.


No they have not.

The first Landcruisers were complete workhorses that didn't place to much emphasis on comfort at all. It's only recently, probably in the early 1990s that the Landcruiser mutated from a utilitarian workhorse into a semi-luxury SUV (and now a complete luxury SUV). Makes you wonder why the Lexus LX570 even exists?

A friend of mine in the Philippines had a mid 1980s Landcruiser which I was able to drive. It was in perfect condition too. Comfortable? Not really. The suspension was hard as hell. I could tell that it would be superb offroad, but comfortable? The seats were thin too, so there's not much comfort to speak off here.

Another thing I don't understand is why Toyota offers the Landcruiser with a gas-guzzling gasoline and diesel V8? I think some Toyota fans might not agree with me here but the Landcruiser used to be a car for offroad enthusiasts, doctors in the Sahara (or whatever). It was extremely offroad capable, reliable and economical. Now, how do you expect to travel long distances with a gas-guzzling V8 engine, both diesel and gasoline? A small gasoline and diesel V6 will do the trick easily. Proof to me at least that the Landcruiser has mutated from an affordable offroader into a pricey luxury SUV. Not really a good thing because this could actually hurt LX570 sales. Why buy the "same car" for more money when you can get the "same car" for less money?

Design wise I actually like it. It looks so much more cleaner and elegant than that hideous LX570.

 

[Monster]

Now, how do you expect to travel long distances with a gas-guzzling V8 engine, both diesel and gasoline? A small gasoline and diesel V6 will do the trick easily. Proof to me at least that the Landcruiser has mutated from an affordable offroader into a pricey luxury SUV. Not really a good thing because this could actually hurt LX570 sales. Why buy the "same car" for more money when you can get the "same car" for less money?

Design wise I actually like it. It looks so much more cleaner and elegant than that hideous LX570.
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People who wants to buy a LX570 in the first place aren't that .......hummm..........well informed.....and if they do indeed chose to purchase the LX570 despite other vastly better cars in the market, then they probably don't care about buying the same car for more money. Lets face it, as if anyone will take their LX570 to do some serious off roading.

I saw the LX570 as well as the new LandCruiser from the motor show. They both look very similar, they even share the same wheel design. The LandCruiser looks like a Toyota, and the LX570 looks like a Toyota, both ugly.

 

[Yaz]

I agree with almost everything you said Chris.

Our LC 100 is way more comfortable than the first LC we had (it was an '84 model year). And from experience, I can tell you that it wasn't untill the LC 100 facelift came along in 2002 that Toyota emphasized on a comfortable ride. That's one reason I always left the suspension in Comfort mode, especially offroad.

As for gas, forget about it. My average consumption was around 24L/100km. But gas is cheap in the Middle East and the LC had two gas tanks. They both held about 115 Litters and would give me 600+ km.

I hope you don't mind me posting this video here monster.
This looks like the LC they caught shooting a commercial in the UAE.

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[Monster]

I hope you don't mind me posting this video here monster.
This looks like the LC they caught shooting a commercial in the UAE.

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No worries mate , the video is a good watch.

There is one thing I don't understand. I am sure the Toyota engineers realise that to improve the LC's off-road ability, they can reduce the weight of these vehicles as well as the physical size of it so it can get through tight and difficult situations easier than having a big and heavy 4WD. They have the Prado and the Kluger in the range already to take care of the comfortable city driving roll, so why not go back to the basic with the new generation of LC.

Toyota fitted everything into the new LC and it pushes the price level very close to the RX350. The new generation of the LC looks very capable off-road, but it is just a bit too excessive for most countries.

 

[cawimmer430]

Good posts, Monster and Yaz. Nice video too.

I actually like the look of the new Landcruiser. It looks more balanced and cleaner than the LX570. Given the choice I'd go for the Landcruiser - with the V8 diesel because I don't want the gas V8!

 

[Monster]

Ok guys since the launch of the new LandCruiser, I have seen a few on the road, much to my surprise. I saw one coming straight at me and it took me a few sec to realise it is the new LandCruiser.

All the LandCruiser I have seen are petrol V8 versions. I have no idea why people will buy them and drive around in the city. Those things aren expensive, yet there are more than a few people who are willing to buy them here in Sydney. On average I see one or two everyday, which is more common than the previous generation LandCruiser.