Toyota Land Cruiser

The redesigned Land Cruiser is smaller, less expensive, and more fuel-efficient than the previous U.S. version. This two-row SUV shares its platform with the upcoming redesigned Lexus GX. It is fitted with a turbocharged, hybrid four-cylinder powertrain shared with other Toyotas. Here the engine is matched to an 8-speed automatic transmission, routing power through a full-time four-wheel-drive system. Peak output is 326 hp and 465 lb.-ft. of torque, and maximum tow capacity is 6,000 pounds. The base trim, dubbed '1958' in an homage to the original Land Cruiser, features nostalgic touches like round headlights, and it puts the focus on value and off-roading. The eponymous mid-level trim steps up the creature comforts, while the top trim ladles on all the extras, from leather upholstery to a roof rack. The Land Cruiser comes with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes AEB with pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcyclist detection. In addition, BSW and RCTW are also standard.

Rare and expensive, the Land Cruiser is Toyota's flagship SUV. A large, full-frame SUV, the Land Cruiser is favored more for its rugged off-road capability than as suburban family transport. The Land Cruiser's smooth 5.7-liter V8 provides muscular acceleration, but only returns 14 mpg overall. Handling is sound, but far from agile. It's clumsy, but secure at its handling limits, with the stability control working hard to keep it on course. The ride remains comfortable and composed, impressive for this off-road-ready SUV. Full-time 4WD and various electronic aids, including a mode that can automatically modulate the throttle to crawl uphill, help when playing in the dirt. The interior is roomy, quiet, and well finished. For such a large vehicle, interior space isn't packaged very efficiently. The third row is cramped, and its 50/50 split seats fold up against the sides of the cargo bay, rather than into the floor, consuming cargo space. Advanced safety gear expected for this price, like blind spot warning and forward collision warning, finally showed up for 2016 along with a new interior. The Lexus LX is essentially the same vehicle, but with an even plusher cabin; increased availability might make the Lexus the better deal on the used market. A limited-production Heritage Edition was new for 2020, with exclusive exterior and interior trim details, but does without the standard model’s running boards and third-row seat. 2021 was this big SUV's last year.

The big, full-frame Land Cruiser's smooth V8 provides muscular acceleration. Handling is sound, but not agile, and the ride is comfortable and composed. The interior is roomy, quiet, and well finished. The 4WD system is permanently engaged. Get one built after 2000; that's when stability control became standard. Good off-road performance is a strong suit. The 50/50 split third-row seats fold up against the bulkhead rather than into the floor, thus robbing some cargo space. And this third-row is cramped, especially given the SUV's rather large size.