KING OFF THE ROAD
Toyota’s new LandCruiser takes the roughest conditions in its stride
There’s a reassuring familiarity to engaging cruise control and hitting the road in the new Toyota LandCruiser. A big bonnet bulges out front and the broad cabin is limousine quiet as the new V6 diesel engine calmy rumbles along.
The 300 Series is the first major change to the LandCruiser since 2007, but it doesn’t mess with a successful formula.
A new 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel makes 227kW and 700Nm, comfortably outpunching the V8 it replaces (200kW/650Nm), yet the soundtrack has similarities.
A circa-200kg weight saving – in part courtesy of aluminium doors, bonnet and roof – makes the new LandCruiser a livelier beast. On a wide gravel road it feels borderline sporty for a 2.6-tonne wagon. We also lugged a 2.9-tonne trailer and found no issues blazing up hills or holding 100km/h.
The 10-speed automatic helps; if you accelerate hard it keeps the engine above 3500rpm, while the closely spaced ratios keep the V6 in its sweet spot. And with the turbos sitting within the V of the engine there’s less waiting for peak torque to arrive.
Steering is more consistent on-centre, although there’s a mid-corner vagueness, a reminder the LandCruiser is more adventurer than corner carver.
It’s not cheap, though. Entry to the family starts with the circa-$98,000 fleet-focused GX.
It has vinyl floors, steel wheels and no vanity mirrors, but does have a snorkel.
A 9.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto makes the interior feel more modern than its predecessor, while auto emergency braking and lane-departure warning are standard,
Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert don’t kick in until the GXL (about $111,000), which also has side steps, roof rails, carpet and 18-inch alloys. There’s also a third row of seats that brings seating to seven. It’s still a basic truck, with grey cloth trim, cheap roof lining material and no seat back pockets.
The VX adds a touch of luxury with woodlook trim, fake leather, heated and ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera and a 12.3-inch touchscreen to justify the $123,000 price.
At about $141,000 the Sahara is no longer the flagship, although it still feels special courtesy of real leather, a head-up display, four heated and ventilated seats, dual rear TV screens and an electronically folding third row.
Sitting above it is the Sahara ZX ($150K), which drops back to five seats and adds a unique front bumper and big 20-inch wheels that detract from its off-road nous. It’s more suited to Bondi than Bourke and there’s adaptive suspension to ram home the on-road focus.
Arguably the closest to the LandCruiser ethos is the new GR Sport at about $149,000. It has the five-seat layout that lowers the boot floor for 1131 litres of space. It packs more offroad tech than ever. There are three differential locks and trick suspension that keeps the body flatter through corners.
We tried the entire range in a variety of conditions, including challenging rocks and gullies. It’s a mighty machine, with towering ground clearance and an effortlessness that reflects its solid core engineering.
Crawl control – effectively low-speed cruise control – is terrific for maintaining a suitable pace up or down hills, while a locking centre differential helps when the going gets slippery.
The GR Sport takes things to the next level. Its trick suspension set-up allows for more droop and compression, giving the wheels a better chance of staying in touch with Earth. But even with wheels in the air the triple differential locks make for supreme hill climbing. It’s just a shame that off-road prowess is not available elsewhere in the range.
It’s not perfect, though. The buttonoperated volume control is fiddly and the touchscreen is a reach for the driver.
The single tailgate (rather than the split system of the 200-Series) and deletion of dual sun visors smacks of penny pinching.
Despite its flaws the LandCruiser nails its brief. It’s immensely capable and comfortable. Farmers and adventurers alike will love it.