2016 Toyota Land Cruiser
Properly regarded as one of the toughest vehicles ever created by mankind, the Land Cruiser enters its golden years with a modest facelift and electronics makeover that address many of this generation’s weaknesses and better demonstrate its many commendable strengths.
Exterior changes to the Toyota include a more prominent, tougher-looking grill and a bit more chrome trim; proportions remain chiseled and restrained, though the small wheels look a bit forlorn in the large fender apertures. The large sidewall tires that wrap them do enhance the secondary ride however, helping to filter out rougher roads in a way that many more stylish competitors can struggle with.
Many of the changes are focused on the Land Cruiser’s interior, and by and large are quite successful; interior plastics are upgraded substantially, and if the faux wood trim still grates, the large HD touchscreen infotainment system and its intuitive systems control help regain affection. Controls are chunky and most all feel substantial; seating for the first two rows is of the classic SUV command style, and if the third row’s bolted in jump seats compromise comfort and luggage capacity, the split tailgate you can sit on to remove muddy footwear after outdoor activities is endearing and practical.
Dynamically the Land Cruiser is from another epoch; dramatic fore/aft weight shifts take some getting used to, so too the listing body motions around corners. But once the Toyota takes a set it is predictable and the steering has an actual semblance of road feel, meaning it isn’t hard to place. The ride is, as mentioned, good over many types of smaller chop, and even bigger motions are dispatched without undue drama. Bolstering this is a ride that is very quiet, both in terms of road and wind noise rejection, meaning time spent behind the upright windshield is rewardingly pleasant, albeit in a vintage sense, almost like a really polished Jeep Wrangler.
Off road there are few that could ever hang with the Land Cruiser; electronic control of differentials, crawl speed and torque application mean even neophyte mud-pluggers need not fear. And, the Toyota will almost certainly perform better in terms of reliability than most anything else that can match it in the rough stuff; if post-apocalyptic luxury is the desire, there is no better choice.
This select group, including such vehicles as the Land Rover LR4 and Mercedes G550, are very obvious about their upper-crust roots; the Land Cruiser—despite having owner demographics that most all competitors would kill for—takes a different tack, being about the only luxury SUV left that is even somewhat understated. For those wishing to not shout about their wealth it really is almost the last bastion of restraint, and should be lauded for this quality. Of course, the Land Cruiser boasts many more qualities, and based on the absurd level of resale value it has historically retained, is the perhaps the smartest choice in this fiercely contested segment.
Info: Toyota.com
Isaac Bouchard is owner of Bespoke Autos, an auto brokerage that helps people save time, money and hassle when buying or leasing vehicles. Since 1991 he has helped his clients save over $1 million dollars. He has written extensively about getting the best deal possible when buying or leasing a vehicle, arranging financing or trading in a car. Isaac has been a professional automotive journalist as well for over 12 years, having reviewed most all types of car, truck and SUV.
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