Just last week we had a 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser with KDSS in our office to tackle our new RTI ramp. Because so little has changed with the big Toyota, they haven't bothered to update the press fleet with 2011 models. That is about to change, however, as Toyota will show off the 2013 Land Cruiser at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show next week.
Just after celebrating its 60th anniversary in Japan -- it's been in the U.S. for more than 50 -- the redesigned Land Cruiser debuted in Japan first. Outside we get a new grille and HID headlamps, LED daytime running lights, chrome side molding and new tail lights. The inside was tweaked, too, with ventilated front leather seats, glossier wood trim, bright silver IP ornamentation and chrome-plated air vents. On the tech side we see a new Multi-terrain monitor with front, side or rear views, a Multi-information display, an Eco light (the 2011 model gets 13 mpg city and 18 highway), dynamic radar cruise, Multi-terrain ABS, trailer sway and CRAWL control with off-road turn assist.
The Land Cruiser is still powered by the 5.7-liter, 381-horsepower V8. Pricing wasn't announced, but the redesigned LC goes on sale later this month.
lime679 says:
01:50 PM, 01/31/12
About time the Cruiser gets HIDs. If the Venza can have em, the Cruiser deserves them as standard. I personally won't spend over $40K on a vehicle that doesn't have them. Kinda pathetic.
ed124c says:
02:43 PM, 01/31/12
Pretty anonymous looking. But I guess it is a good machine. Out of my range, of course.
surfwagon56 says:
03:08 PM, 01/31/12
"an Eco light (the 2011 model gets 13 mpg city and 18 highway)"
What does the light show? "Hey, look at me, I'm driving like a greenie! I'm getting SEVENTEEN miles per gallon!"
Small victories, I suppose...
ctpaul says:
03:18 PM, 01/31/12
What a totally not-interesting vehicle. Maybe its what you want in this price range, I do not know. Looks like an overgrown Highlander to me. Although the mentioned chrome plated air vents could sway me.
teampenske3 says:
07:47 PM, 01/31/12
Overgrown Highlander my arse. I'd like to see a Highlander tackle the RTI ramp. I don't see the point of an Eco light, but a multi-terrain monitor seems pretty good. Good to see that even with all this hybrid nonsense Toyota hasn't forgotten its off-road heritage.
stonehammer says:
09:28 PM, 01/31/12
finally, i can trade my h2 in on a new vehicle
billt9 says:
02:45 AM, 02/ 1/12
Why are you not buying a Range Rover Sport at this price?
Competition? Who needs competition.
seppoboy says:
06:21 AM, 02/ 1/12
Land Cruiser is the best conventional gasoline-engined Toyota, and it remains the best in its class of off-road capable luxury SUVs. It's a fuel gulper, but it's also finely developed, rugged, durable, and reliable. Cayenne, G-Class, Range Rover, Escalade, etc. are overkill for typical off-to-the-ski-slopes use, and you wouldn't want to trust your hide to any of them in really remote, difficult terrain unless you had a good backup plan. With the Land Cruiser, you just might not need the satellite phone and helicopter on call.
cr_driver says:
07:15 AM, 02/ 1/12
Definitely not my cup of tea, but I can sure see its merits.
WasAPasserBy says:
12:42 PM, 02/ 1/12
The next time I'm going on an African safari in Seattle, I'll be sure to grab one.
cr_driver says:
07:24 AM, 02/ 2/12
LOL!
patrickw says:
03:05 AM, 02/ 3/12
Can't imagine why anyone who doesn't drive off-road would want one, but if one does encounter challenging terrain, the Land Crusher is almost as capable as the Range Rover (the real one - not the Sport) at over $10,000 less and much more reliable. Will be interesting to see the 2014 LX. Hope they upgrade the power plant (i.e., much more fuel-efficient).
roger03 says:
07:31 PM, 02/ 9/12
I appreciate Toyota product and this one is most probably very competent,
but what a cartoonish look, the first time I saw it I though it was a joke!
It looks like a brand new vehicule from 1969.
Even the Chinese does better these days.