In-Depth Review of the New Toyota Land Cruiser: Features, Performance, and Pricing

The new Toyota Land Cruiser stands out with its powerful V8 engine, luxurious interior, and advanced safety features. Available in standard and Heritage editions, it offers excellent performance both on and off-road. Despite high fuel consumption, its durability and iconic status keep it a favorite among SUV enthusiasts looking for reliability and style. This comprehensive review delves into the vehicle’s performance, interior, safety, and pricing, providing all essential details to help prospective buyers make an informed decision.

Comprehensive Overview of the New Toyota Land Cruiser

The Toyota Land Cruiser continues to be a flagship SUV renowned for its durability, performance, and versatility. Available in two distinct trims—the standard model and the Heritage Edition—both variants share the same robust engine lineup and advanced four-wheel-drive systems, making them suitable for both off-road adventures and urban driving. While the two trims differ mainly in seating configurations and styling, the core features of the Land Cruiser elevate it as a premium, capable vehicle that appeals to a broad spectrum of drivers seeking reliability and luxury in one package.

About Toyota
Founded and headquartered in Toyota City, near Nagoya in Japan, Toyota Motor Corporation stands as a global leader in automotive manufacturing. As the core entity of the Toyota Group, Toyota Jidosha K.K. operates over a thousand subsidiaries worldwide, focusing on the development, production, and sale of automobiles, parts, and commercial vehicles. Since becoming the world’s largest automaker in 2008, Toyota has built a reputation centered around innovation, longevity, and customer satisfaction. The Land Cruiser, one of its most iconic models, exemplifies Toyota’s commitment to engineering excellence and reliability.

Powertrain and Driving Dynamics
The heart of the Land Cruiser is a formidable 5.7-liter V8 engine that produces impressive power figures—381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain is complemented by a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission and a sophisticated four-wheel-drive system. The combination ensures exceptional handling whether you're navigating city streets, cruising on highways, or tackling challenging terrains. The engine responds promptly to accelerator inputs, providing quick acceleration and confident overtaking capabilities.

Driving the Land Cruiser offers a refined experience characterized by a comfortable ride and responsive steering. The vehicle's suspension system absorbs road imperfections with ease, delivering a smooth and stable ride even on uneven surfaces. The steering feels light and precise, making maneuvering through tight spots or parking lots effortless. Despite its size and rugged capabilities, the Land Cruiser manages to maintain excellent highway manners, making it well-suited for long-distance travel or daily commutes.

Interior Comfort and Cabin Features
The interior of the Land Cruiser is crafted with high-quality materials, striking a balance between luxury and practicality. The front seats are notably spacious and supportive, offering an excellent driving position with great visibility of the road ahead. The seats provide ample adjustment options to cater to various driver preferences. The second row offers generous legroom and comfort, which makes it suitable for long journeys with family or guests. The third row, although functional, is better suited for children or shorter trips for adults due to limited space, especially when it comes to extended legroom or headroom.

Cargo capacity varies depending on seating arrangements—standard configurations offer about 16 cubic feet behind the third row, which expands to approximately 41 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down. These dimensions ensure ample space for luggage, camping gear, or outdoor equipment, supporting the vehicle's reputation as a versatile adventure companion.

Infotainment and Technological Features
The Land Cruiser’s infotainment system is anchored by a 9-inch touchscreen display, which provides access to essential controls and media functions. Physical buttons and knobs are included to simplify operation and reduce driver distraction. Notably, the system lacks support for some popular smartphone integrations such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto—a point for potential improvement. Standard connectivity features encompass navigation, Bluetooth, multiple USB ports, HD and satellite radio, and a premium 14-speaker audio system delivering immersive sound.

For rear passengers, there are optional dual 11.6-inch screens with DVD players, making long trips more enjoyable for children or rear-seat occupants. Comfort amenities include a four-zone climate control system to adjust temperature settings independently, a keyless entry system with push-button start, a power liftgate for convenience, a panoramic sunroof that adds to the airy feel of the cabin, and a 120-volt power outlet for charging devices or powering small appliances.

Safety and Driver Assistance Technologies
The Toyota Land Cruiser prioritizes safety through a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features. It comes equipped with 360-degree surround cameras and parking sensors to facilitate maneuvering in tight spots. Blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert enhance awareness around the vehicle, especially during lane changes or reversing. Advanced safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning systems that alert the driver if the vehicle unintentionally drifts out of its lane.

The adaptive cruise control maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, while automatic high beams switch between high and low beams based on traffic conditions, improving nighttime visibility. The backup camera provides an additional layer of confidence when reversing. Overall, the Land Cruiser’s safety technologies work together to deliver a secure driving experience, whether on city streets, highways, or remote off-road trails.

Pricing Overview and Variants
The standard Toyota Land Cruiser is priced at approximately $85,665. This model features its powerful V8 engine, comprehensive safety features, and a well-rounded set of interior amenities. The Heritage Edition, which costs around $87,995, offers a more distinctive aesthetic with exclusive styling cues, roof racks, and premium interior stitching. This edition excludes the third-row bench in favor of a more luxurious and sporty appeal but still provides the option to add a third row if needed.

While the Land Cruiser’s fuel consumption is relatively high compared to some modern SUVs, its iconic status, rugged capability, and luxurious features continue to make it an attractive choice among those who need a reliable, adventure-ready luxury SUV. Despite some shortcomings in modern connectivity options, the Land Cruiser remains a top-tier vehicle in its segment, appealing to drivers seeking a blend of off-road prowess and premium comfort.