Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 80%

Thinking of buying a big 4x4? Then you should make sure you consider the Land Cruiser.

With more than 50 years motoring to its name this is the model which set Toyota on the path to global success.

We drove one for a week to give you our verdict.

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment |X-Factor | Rivals

1. Looks

Big with a capital B. The easily-recognisable Land Cruiser design acknowledges its five-decade history as well as being a part of the Toyota family. Given its capabilities it’s unsurprising it appears more functional and less stylish than the soft-roading RAV4. Buyers can choose between a three and five door version.

7/10

2. Looks inside

The nice surprise of stepping inside the Land Cruiser is how car-like it feels. The interior space is huge and the two gear-sticks (one for use off-road) reveal this is a potential workhorse. However, the driver-centric controls, great seating position and good quality materials ensure this is a very liveable environment too.

8/10

3. Practicality

Unsurprisingly this is a strong suit for the Land Cruiser. The three rows of seats can accommodate eight people, and even with every one in use there is still 620-litres of boot space. It boasts genuine off-road capability and has secured a place in the Guinness Book of Records thanks to Emil and Liliana Schmid’s decision to make the world’s longest car journey (22-and-a-half years and counting) in one. Our Assistant Editor Stuart Milne found transporting a TV in the boot slightly worrying in the absence of a carpeted floor. A cargo net can be added as an accessory.

9/10

4. Ride and Handling

The Land Cruiser is a very comfortable car which laughs in the face of speed bumps and eats potholes for breakfast. Given its size and off-road focus it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it doesn’t take that kindly to being thrown into corners.
 
7/10

5. Performance

The 171bhp 3-litre diesel model we drove takes 11.5 seconds to get from 0-62mph and can push on to a top speed 109mph. The 246bhp 4-litre petrol model features the most powerful Land Cruiser engine ever. It has the same top speed as the diesel but and can hit 62mph in just 9.1 seconds. Needless to say all models have a serious amount of pulling power.

8/10

6. Running Costs

The Land Cruiser may be among the models perceived as “gas-guzzlers” but the diesel model we drove returns an average of 30.7mpg. Opting for the larger-engine petrol version sees that drop to 22.8mpg - and just 16.9mpg in urban areas. Insurance falls into Groups13-15. Land Cruiser models require a minor service after 10,000 miles and a major one after double that distance. Falling into tax band G currently means an annual tax bill of £300.

6/10

7. Reliability

Toyota has a great reputation for reliability – and is the ninth-placed manufacturer in our Reliability Index. Plus it’s been building Land Cruisers for fifty years – including the model which claimed the Longest Car Journey World Record mentioned above. Both inside and out the Land Cruiser appears robust and well-made.

9/10

8. Safety

Anti-lock braking, electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist are standard with vehicle stability control and active traction control on LC4 and LC5 trims. Off-road safety is benefited by downhill assist control and hill-start assist control. Dual-stage airbags are standard equipment for the driver and front seat passenger, as are curtain airbags for front and rear occupants.
 
9/10

9. Equipment

The Land Cruiser is available in three trim levels – LC3, LC4 and LC5 – and each is generously equipped. The entry-level specification includes cruise control, dual-zone climate control, eight airbags and 17-inch alloy wheels. Go for the LC4 and you’ll get leather upholstery, sunroof, heated front seats and sat-nav. The top of the range LC5 we drove also came with improved sat-nav, more speakers for the sound system and separate climate control for the front and rear of the car. Opting for automatic versions of the model costs an additional £1,200.

9/10

10. X-Factor

It’s big and it’s clever. There can’t be many cars better equipped as transportation for the world’s longest car journey, including trips over challenging terrain, and we found it only took a day or two to become accustomed to the sheer size of the Land Cruiser. But it’s easy to understand why city-dwellers are just as attracted to the Land Cruisers seating position, safety, practicality and comfortable ride too.

8/10

Rivals
You might want to consider:

Land Rover Discovery
Mitsubishi Shogun
Jeep Commander

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