Toyota Land Cruiser (2010 – 2024) Review

December 2009

New Land Cruiser launched

2010 Land Cruiser introduces a series of advanced but user friendly features that help the driver tackle even the most challenging routes. These include:

• Electrically modulated Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which minimises body roll and gives positive steering on-road, and increases wheel articulation off-road.
• Full-time All-wheel drive with Torsen limited slip differential.
• Multi-Terrain Select (MTS), with four driver-selectable modes to tailor vehicle settings for different off-road conditions.
• Multi-Terrain Monitor, a world-first system of front and side view cameras that give the driver a real-time view of areas immediately around the vehicle that can’t be seen from the wheel.
• Crawl Control, which controls the engine and brakes to maintain a slow, safe speed when driving off-road or wading, so the driver only needs to concentrate on steering. This operates in both forward and reverse gears.
• Active Traction Control (A-TRC), Multi-Terrain ABS and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) are fitted as standard on all models.

Rigidity of body-on-frame construction increased by 11 per cent and insulating frame-to-body mounts have been added to absorb engine, drivetrain and road noise, and to improve ride comfort.

17-inch alloys standard on LC3, 18-inch on LC4 and LC5. LC4 has "electrically modulated kinetic dynamic suspension system" (KDSS). LC5 has "Adaptable Variable Suspensiin (AVS) with Acticve height control. 7 seats optional in LC3, standard with Easy Fold Flat rear seat in LCF4 and LC5. LC5 also gets Crawl Control and Multi-terrain select system.

The front independent double wishbone and rear four-link lateral rod suspension systems have been revised for extra comfort and steering feel. LC4 and LC5 models grade models are equipped with a new electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which adjusts the front and rear anti-roll bars for optimised on and off-road performance.

Multi-terrain Select, which automatically controls power and braking to optimise performance for different types of off-road surfaces. At the same time, the Multi-terrain Monitor feeds real time images from around the vehicle from a network of four cameras to provide the driver with more information about the immediate surroundings. The new Steering Angle Display shows the position of the vehicle’s wheels and its predicted path, further helping the driver plot a safe route.

The Crawl Control feature lets the driver choose from five different setting to optimise vehicle set-up to tackle even extreme conditions with precision and control, without having to use the throttle or brake pedals. Crawl Control will also help the driver free the vehicle, should it become stuck in mud or sand.

New Land Cruiser has a more spacious and refined cabin with accommodation for seven in three rows. The second row seats have a sliding range of 135mm and a more flexible 40:20:40 configuration, with reclining seatbacks. A walk-in, slide and tilt function gives easy access to the third row seats.

The two third row seats (an option on the five-seat LC3 model) are full-size with integral headrests and they fold completely flat into the loadspace floor when not required. The footwell floor has been lowered by more than 38mm for a more comfortable seating position and, thanks to the slide adjustment of the second row seats, legroom extends to more than double that in the current Land Cruiser.

The left and right hand seats can be raised and lowered independently, using the Toyota Easy Flat system; on LC4 and LC5 grade models this function is power-controlled at the touch of a button. Controls are handily located both inside the tailgate and behind the second row seats.

Land Cruiser benefits from a range of high-tech, user-friendly systems to make life on board easier and more comfortable. The Smart Entry and Start system works in conjunction with sequenced lighting, and at the rear the tailgate has a top-hinged glass section that allows access to the load space even in tight parking spaces. Everyone can enjoy a comfortable cabin environment thanks to a separate air conditioning unit for the rear, giving new Land Cruiser a triple-zone climate control (LC4 and LC5 models only).

A multi-information switch on the steering wheel brings together several features under a single control, and the cameras used by the Multi-terrain Monitor also provide Wide-view Front, Side and Back Guide Monitors for easier manoeuvring in tight spaces and visibility at blind junctions.

Land Cruiser LC4 and LC5 models are equipped with a 14-speaker JBL Synthesis Premium Surround Sound System, giving 7.1 channel sound from compatible CDs and DVDs. It features an 11-channel, 605W Digital Signal Processing amplifier and, using the navigation system’s Hard Disc Drive (HDD), offers a “sound library” facility, capable of transferring and storing up to 2,000 tracks from CDs.

New Land Cruiser will be available in the UK in three equipment grades: LC3, LC4 and LC5. Equipment highlights are provided in the table below, with additional features across the board compared to current Land Cruiser specifications.

January 2011

Land Cruiser 60th Anniversary introduced

Gets selected extra features to the LC5 grade it replaces. Adds 60th Anniversary badging and carpet mats, chrome exhaust finisher, chrome front fog light surrounds, clear-finish rear light clusters. Land Cruiser 60th Anniversary priced £49,950

Toyota has reintroduced a three-door version of Land Cruiser. Available exclusively in LC3 trim with manual transmission only, five seats, it comes equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, vehicle stability control (VSC) with active traction control (A-TRC), climate control, smart entry and start system, Bluetooth, six-speaker audio system and front fog lamps. The Land Cruiser is priced £30,395 on the road.

September 2013

Toyota Land Cruiser 3.0 restyled for 2014

Toyota’s Land Cruiser 3.0 (LC) gasined new styling inside and out and improvements to handling. Design changes for three and five-door models led by brutal new frontal treatment with deeper front bumper, heritage-inspired grille and new light clusters.

Revised rear lamp units and introduction of new alloy wheel designs and exterior colour choices. Comprehensive upgrade of interior trim and ornamentation for higher tactile and perceived quality. Dashboard redesign includes new control panel for on and off-road driving systems, full colour TFT multi-information display screen and Optitron meters. Second and third row seats revised for easier access.

Adjustments to standard suspension and Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System for improved handling and ride comfort. Safety features extended with availability of new Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert plus Land Cruiser 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine revised to meet Euro5+ emissions standard.

In the UK the 2014 Land Cruiser continues to use its belt cam 190PS 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine, matched to a five-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder, 16-valve unit has been revised to meet Euro 5+ emissions standards, but with no decrease in performance: 420Nm of torque is available from 1,600 to 3,000rpm and 0 to 60mph acceleration is accomplished in 9.9 seconds (three-door) or 10.7 seconds (five-door); CO2 emissions have been reduced slightly to 209 and 214g/km for the three and five-door models respectively.

June 2015

Toyota Land Cruiser revised with new 2.8 litre engine

Prices from £35,895 (3-door) and £37,695 (five-door).

The 2,755cc, 16-valve DOHC engine produces a maximum 177PS (130kW) with peak torque of 420Nm between 1,400 and 2,400rpm. A new six-speed automatic transmission (replacing the previous five-speed) allows more pulling power to be delivered. The new automatic benefits from control systems that help the Land Cruiser achieve around a nine per cent improvement in fuel economy and CO2 emissions. Provisional figures show combined cycle performance at 39.2mpg and 194g/km for the five-door model.

Entry-level Active grade models now come equipped with DAB digital radio. Options list extended to include Toyota Touch 2 with Go, which adds intuitive and comprehensive navigation functions to the vehicle’s high-resolution, touchscreen-controlled multimedia system (£750).

Leather seats optional. On three-door models this also includes heated front seats and leather door trims (£1,395); on the five-door Active the package includes power adjustment for the front seats and triple-zone automatic air conditioning (£2,795).

Land Cruiser Icon trim also adopts DAB and the more sophisticated Toyota Touch 2 with Go Plus, adding voice command recognition, 3D city mapping and a text-to-speech function. At the top of the range, Land Cruiser Invincible gains the same new features, plus all the elements included in the new optional Safety Pack (details below).

Land Cruiser’s new Safety Pack option (for Active and Icon models, £2,635) equip the SUV with features to help avoid accidents and support safer driving on and off road. They include Adaptive Cruise Control and Pre-Crash Safety system; Lane Change Assist; Rear Cross Traffic Alert; Blind Spot Monitor; and a Multi-Terrain Monitor, which gives a 360-degree view of the vehicle’s immediate surroundings.

A Protection Pack (£595) is offered for all five-door models, adding side mouldings, a rear bumper protection plate and a boot liner.

Active grade five-door/seven-seat grade re-introduced, with either manual or automatic transmission. The three-door/five-seat Land Cruiser Active remains, exclusively with manual shift.

The revised Land Cruiser range will be available to order from 1 July with customer deliveries from 1 August. All models are covered by Toyota’s five-year/100,000-mile new vehicle warranty.

January 2017

Toyota Land Cruiser Invincible X grade added

Priced at £57,880 on-the-road, outside it has chrome door mirror casings, exhaust tailpipe finisher and rear trim details, together with contrasting black 18-inch Pinnacle alloy wheels. Inside there is full leather upholstery, available in Masari Black, Ortaka Ivory or a two-tone black and brown combination. Equipment includes a Blu-Ray and gaming rear-seat entertainment system, triple-zone air conditioning, surround sound premium audio, sunroof and the Toyota Touch 2 with Go multimedia and navigation system.

Toyota Safety Sense active safety features are fitted as standard – in common with all Land Cruiser models – providing Pre-Collision System, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist. Rear Cross Traffic Alert and a Blind Spot Monitor are also included in the specification.

Land Cruiser remains extremely capable off road, maximising the benefits of robust construction, generous ground clearance (215mm) and approach/ramp/departure angles, and advanced technologies to ensure safe and stable handling, even on extreme terrain. It will wade through water up to 700mm deep and traverse or climb slopes up to 42°. The Invincible X has permanent all-wheel drive and a Torsen limited slip centre differential that can adjust the front/rear drive balance from 50:50 to 30:70 to achieve optimum traction as driving conditions demand.

It is also equipped with an electrically modulated Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, which optimises anti-roll bar performance to suit both on and off-road conditions, suppressing body roll and improving steering response. Its Multi-terrain ABS is tuned for operation on rough, off-road surfaces, while Multi-terrain Select allows the driver to select from four different modes which automatically modify acceleration, braking and traction control to suit driving conditions – Mud and Sand, Loose Rock, Mogul and Rock. Crawl Control – also standard – ensures challenging off-road climbs and descents can be tackled at “walking pace”; it can also be used to help free the vehicle should when there is a risk of becoming bogged down.

The Multi-terrain Monitor works with the Multi-terrain Select to give the driver a better view of areas immediately around the vehicle that might be hard to see or obscured from their line of sight, with cameras providing real-time images to the centre console screen. The driver can also monitor tyre and body angle on the multi-information display in the instrument binnacle.

The Land Cruiser Invincible X is a five-door model powered by a 2.8-litre D-4D turbodiesel engine, matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. It is priced £57,880 on-the-road and in common with all new Toyota models it is protected by a five-year/100,000-mile warranty.

January 2018

Toyota Land Cruiser revised for 2018

Priced from £32,795 to £52,295. The Land Cruiser is more widely available than any current Toyota model, being sold in more than 190 countries worldwide. Its unmatched off-road abilities have earned it a rock-solid reputation as one of the world’s toughest and most reliable 4x4s and made it the segment sales leader in more than 10 European markets.

The 2018 Land Cruiser has more modern and robust exterior styling, a more sophisticated, comfortable and higher quality interior, and improvements to its dynamic performance and user-friendliness, both on and off-road.

Revised model range for the UK now includes a “workhorse” manual transmission Utility grade, with a simple equipment specification and a choice of three or five-door body styles. It forms the entry point to a line-up that also includes Active, Icon and high-technology Invincible grades.

Inside the new Land Cruiser, switchgear on the new-look dashboard is ergonomically optimised and functionally grouped. The dash also incorporates (according to equipment grade) a large, eight-inch touchscreen for the Toyota Touch 2 with Go multimedia and navigation system, Optitron meters and a 4.2-inch colour TFT multi-information display.

The cabin has been made more comfortable with front seat ventilation, rear seat heating, and automatic climate control, and life has been made easier with the introduction of reverse-tilting door mirrors and a new smart key design.

The 2018 Land Cruiser retains its 175bhp/130kW 2.8-litre D-4D turbodiesel engine with six-speed automatic or manual transmission.

Land Cruiser’s off-road capability is rooted in its highly durable and deformation-resistant body-on-frame construction now rare but shared with the Ssangyong Rexton. The combination of strength and durability provides a high level of damage protection and it is designed for easy maintenance and repairs. Significantly reduced levels of body twisting help the driver optimally position and control the vehicle. The body-on-frame build also efficiently isolates the cabin from suspension impacts, making even the most challenging off-road conditions more comfortable to negotiate for everyone on board.

All-terrain support systems help even unskilled drivers make the most of Land Cruiser’s off-road performance. They also make the Toyota one of the most technically advanced, safe, pleasurable and easy-to-use all-wheel drive vehicles in the world.

Maintains three core strengths essential to the vehicle’s go-anywhere credentials: Total Practicality, with headlights and cooling openings positioned to maximise protection and wading depth; Total Durability, with the powertrain and all functional parts well-protected; and Total Capability, with a tight turning circle and generous ground clearance, essential for the most demanding off-road driving conditions.

Overall length has been increased by 60mm to 4,840mm (4,395mm for the three-door model). A minimum turning circle of 5.8 metres (5.2 metres three-door) contributes to exceptional manoeuvrability.

New-look frontal elements such as the bonnet, grille, headlights, bumper and wings draw on structural elements from the model’s design heritage. The bonnet has been shaped to improve downward visibility at the centre and it is sandwiched by the sides of the bumper to help protect the engine bay. The corners of the lower part of the bumper have integral fog lights and kick upwards, while the centre section is shaped like a skid plate for easier manoeuvring off-road. The top section of the wings has been raised so that it’s easier for the driver to pinpoint the vehicle’s extremities. The front grille and headlights have been set higher for better off-road functionality. The grille’s apertures have been made as large as possible for optimum engine cooling, while the headlight main beams are positioned inboard to avoid damage when driving off-road.

Ground clearance is 215mm (205mm three-door), with 31-degree approach, 25-degree departure (26-degree for three-door model) and 22-degree ramp break-over angles.

Choice of six-spoke 17-inch alloys with new low rolling resistance tyres (Active grade), or, a new 12-spoke 19-inch wheel with a machined finish (Icon and Invincible grades). New elements at the rear include a redesigned light cluster with an LED stop light; a smaller rear garnish plate incorporated in the number plate surround; and a restyled bumper. In the UK, the new Land Cruiser is available in nine body colours, including new Phantom Blue and Avant-Garde Bronze metallic.

The 2018 Land Cruiser’s interior features a revised dashboard that incorporates a new instrument binnacle and centre console designs, delivering easier operation and a refined finish. The controls for drivetrain, driving and comfort have been separated in function-specific zones, with ergonomics optimised so that they are easy to use even in extreme conditions. The top of the new centre console tower has been set lower for better front-on visibility when driving off-road. It is fitted with a new eight-inch, full-colour multimedia screen (Active grade and above), a flush-fitting air conditioning control panel and the drivetrain-related instrument cluster. Controls for driving and comfort functions are located in separate panels for ease of use, positioned behind a new, leather-trimmed gear lever. They include switches to operate new integrated heating and ventilation for the front seats.

The redesigned instrument binnacle has a four-gauge lay-out with precision Optitron meters (Icon and Invincible grades) with a metallic base panel and polished dials with raised scale markings. The meters flank a 4.2-inch TFT colour multi-information display which presents comprehensive vehicle and infotainment data, controlled using switches on the steering wheel. The steering wheel itself is also new.

Land Cruiser’s 2.8-litre D-4D turbodiesel engine is 2,755cc 16-valve DOHC 4-cylinder developing 175bhp/130kW at 3,400rpm. Matched to a six-speed automatic transmission, it produces 370Nm of torque at just 1,200rpm, and a maximum 450Nm between 1,600 and 2,400rpm. It will accelerate the vehicle from rest to 62mph in 12.7 seconds, and on to a maximum 109mph. Official combined cycle fuel consumption is 38.2mpg with 194g/km CO 2 emissions. The same engine is also available (in the Utility version) with a six-speed manual gearbox. With this powertrain, maximum torque of 420Nm is available from 1,400 to 2,600rpm. O to 62mph takes 12.0 seconds, while fuel economy and CO2 emissions are unchanged for the five-door and marginally lower for the three-door at 39.2mpg and 190g/km.

Icon and Invincible versions of the new Land Cruiser are equipped with Toyota Safety Sense active technologies to help prevent accidents happening, or mitigating the consequences if an impact does occur. The package includes a Pre-Collision System (PCS) with pedestrian detection function, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and Automatic High Beam (AHB). Further driver support is provided with a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (Invincible grade) and an upgraded tyre pressure warning system.

Available in three and five-door format, the Utility grade is fitted with 17-inch steel wheels, roof rails, front fog lights, air conditioning, dusk-sensing headlights, roof rails, cruise control, smart entry and a six-speaker audio system with CD player, Bluetooth, Aux-in and USB Port. A six-speed manual transmission can be specified for the five-door version and is standard on the three-door model.

Active grade, available with a five or seven-seat interior, makes the switch from steel to 17-inch alloy wheels and adds rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, leather steering wheel trim and the Toyota Touch 2 infotainment system with eight-inch touchscreen and nine-speaker audio system. It is a five-door model with a choice of five or seven seat interior.

The seven-seat Land Cruiser Icon adds a number of new features for 2018, including Toyota Safety Sense active safety systems, 19-inch alloys, leather upholstery and front seats with heating and ventilation functions. As previously, it comes equipped with LED headlights and front fog lights, an entry lighting system, rear privacy glass, rain-sensing wipers and the Toyota Touch 2 with Go package with navigation and enhanced connectivity options.

The Land Cruiser Invincible is equipped with many advanced technology features as standard, to improve handling and stability both on-road and off. These include a locking Torsen rear differential, Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), Multi-Terrain Select, Multi-terrain Monitor, Crawl control and a 360-degree Panoramic View Monitor with an under vehicle terrain view. The safety specification is boosted by the addition of a Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Pricing for the new Land Cruiser range is detailed below. Vehicle are on sale now. In common with all new Toyotas, Land Cruiser is protected by a five-year/100,000-mile new vehicle warranty.

September 2020

New engine and fresh equipment for Toyota Land Cruiser

The Toyota Land Cruiser gains more power with the introduction of a new 2.8-litre engine.

The new four-cylinder turbodiesel unit (the same size as its predecessor) provides 204PS and peak torque of 500Nm from 1,600rpm. This provides a 2.8-second reduction in the 0-62mph time to less than 10 seconds (with the automatic gearbox).

This additional strength brings no penalty in terms of fuel economy or CO 2 emissions. With the benefit of a stop-start system as standard, fuel consumption is slightly improved. The engine meets the UK’s RDE2 (Real Driving Emissions) standard, so qualifies for a lower Vehicle Excise Duty charge – down by £325 in the first year compared to the current Land Cruiser.

As well as the new engine, the Land Cruiser line-up now offers two equipment grades. The Active grade is the new entry point to the range, available in three and five-door formats and with five or seven seats.

The specification gains wireless smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, together with an improved multimedia system. Operated via an eight-inch touchscreen, this benefits from faster software and command response and offers a customisable home screen so that owners can prioritise their most frequently accessed functions.

The Active grade’s established features include 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control air conditioning, smart entry and push-button start, roof rails and heated power door mirrors.

At the top of the range, the seven-seat Invincible also adopts the smartphone integration package and is newly available with an optional Black Pack. Customers who opt for black leather upholstery can also specify an all-black exterior, including the front grille, door mirror casings, rear light surrounds, side mouldings and rear garnish, plus clear lenses for the rear light clusters. The look is carried through to the cabin with black finish for the centre console and transmission tunnel. Black alloy wheels can also be specified, as an additional option.

The Invincible comes with systems to tackle the demands of different off-road conditions. Multi-Terrain Select, a rear differential lock, centre Torsen limited-slip differential and Crawl Control are all part of the technically advanced suite of control functions, plus Adaptive Variable Suspension with electronically modulated rear air suspension.

Further standard equipment on the Land Cruiser Invincible includes triple-zone climate control, power steering column and front seat adjustment, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second row seats, leather upholstery, multi-view monitor, 14-speaker JBL Synthesis premium audio system, LED headlights, 19-inch alloys, rear privacy glass and illuminated side steps.

The Land Cruiser Invincible is equipped as standard with Toyota Safety Sense, benefiting from system upgrades and additional functions. The Pre-Collision System gains the ability to detect pedestrians and, in daylight driving, cyclists. The intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control improves safety while also reducing the burden on the driver, and the addition of Lane Trace Assist provides automatic assistance to keep the vehicle positioned within its traffic lane.

The new Land Cruiser range is on sale now with first deliveries of the passenger models from October, followed by the Commercial versions later in the autumn. All new vehicles come with Toyota’s five-year/100,000-mile warranty.