Somewhat unusual comments in the area of "luxury SUV buyers can save thousands by buying domestic."
Enjoy
Land Cruiser commands respect
Scott Burgess: Review
Land Cruiser commands respect
Efficient upsizing in body and power means there's more to love about Toyota's large SUV
I like big SUVs.
They give such a commanding view of the road. Their sheer size intimidates other vehicles out of the way. SUVs are the vehicles that answer all of the "what if" fears in our lives.
Sure, the SUV is impractical for my daily commute to work, but what if it snows and I need a 4x4? Or what if I need to ford a river? What if I buy a boat and then need to tow it?
The SUV answers those questions, but somewhere between global warming and high fuel prices, SUV became a curse word.
Nevertheless, for motorists not pinching pennies or losing sleep over climate change, there's an impressively revitalized player in the full-sized SUV lineup.
Last fall, Toyota Motor Co., quietly introduced its overhauled Land Cruiser, a solid piece of heavy duty machinery.
The redesigned 2008 Land Cruiser enters its 10th generation for the Japanese carmaker. The newest flagship SUV is bigger, more powerful, more luxurious and more expensive. This SUV makes a statement.
In fact, here's the statement I imagine any owner of the new Land Cruiser making: "I've made it and I have gotten to the point in my life where I now have more money than I actually know what to do with it."
Even the behemoth Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator cost thousands of dollars less. My nicely loaded Land Cruiser vehicle topped $71,000. It has a starting sticker of $63,885.
That's a lot of coin. For penny pinchers, it would take a 5.8-mile stack of pennies to pay for a new Land Cruiser.
For that kind of money, you should expect a fantastic vehicle -- and you get it, and more.
Expectations fulfilled
With the newest iteration, the Land Cruiser's interior finally catches up with its abilities.
It's plush to say the least, and it's very comfortable. The driving position is very high -- it takes a big step to hop into the Land Cruiser. But once you're there, it's easy to appreciate the view. And there's plenty to appreciate inside as well: the turquoise-illuminated instrument gauges; easy-to-reach controls on the center stack; and convenient storage in the center console. Every piece along the dash feels tailored for the vehicle. Well made and put together is the expectation with something this expensive and Toyota hits it mark.
The 14-speaker JBL stereo provides crystal-clear sound and the push-button start adds a touch of sophistication. Just remember to turn it off -- the Land Cruiser is so quiet you often forget it's running. On two occasions, I parked and hopped out without shutting it off.
Options add to the luxurious lore. The navigation system, which provides a backup screen, is as easy to see during the day as it is at night. But I do wish Toyota or someone else for that matter would figure out a way to clean the backup camera lens. Salt, snow and muck make seeing anything through that camera nearly impossible. Other options include: a DVD player with a 9-inch fold-down screen; Bluetooth connectivity; and a towing converter to connect trailer controls.
Ready for rough terrain
The Land Cruiser comes with standard four-wheel drive (something neither the Escalade nor Navigator can say). During the week I drove the Land Cruiser, I challenged its off-roading abilities as most Americans who load up their family of four do: Cruise to work, grocery shop, take a side trip to the dry cleaners. The most rigorous off-roading I managed was driving snow-covered side streets in Detroit. But the Land Cruiser has legendary tough terrain prowess. Outside of the United States, it's one of the vehicles of choice for war-torn regions, disaster areas and massive humanitarian efforts.
The Land Cruiser, along the lines of a Hummer H2 or Land Rover Defender, is truly a life saver in those regions. These vehicles do their best work in places around the world where there are more pressing matters than emissions and carbon offsets.
One item on the Land Cruiser I do not care for pops up on a lot of vehicles today: the real-time fuel mileage display. It allows the driver to know what kind of mileage the vehicle is reaching on a second-by-second basis. Frankly, it seems like a silly feature on an SUV. The Land Cruiser is not going to be hitting 60 miles per gallon any time soon.
The EPA says it gets 13 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. I managed 14 mpg in combined driving.
The fuel economy may not sound great, but the engine certainly is. The new 5.7-liter V-8 Toyota has created never wants for power. It's quiet and tosses around the 5,690-pound SUV like a rag doll. The fuel-injection system Toyota uses helps the engine produce 381 horses and 401 pound-feet of torque (at 3,600 rpm). Both are big improvements over the previous generation Land Cruiser, which used a 4.7-liter V-8 that produced 265 horsepower.
Toyota also added a crawl mechanism for serious downhill runs. It controls the engine and brakes to maintain a slow constant speed without overheating the brakes.
More using (a bit) less gas
Everything, it seems, is bigger on the new Land Cruiser. It's longer, wider, taller and more efficient. Somehow Toyota improved gas mileage andadded nearly 125 horses under the hood. The six-speed automatic transmission uses artificial intelligence to predict how the driver will behave as well as estimate road conditions to find the right gear.
The bigger size leads to some clumsiness. It's not the kind of vehicle you want to try to squeeze into a tight parking space or small garage. Its height could limit access to some public garages as well. But those are the same issues you face with any large SUV.
The ride and handling are smooth, but the high driving position leads to a blind spot on the right, off the passenger side fender.The exterior makeover of the Land Cruiser adds sleeker lines, giving it a more sophisticated look. It's well proportioned and adds some character to distinguish itself.
This may not be the vehicle for everyone. It's size may make some drivers uncomfortable, and the high price may push people to more affordable luxury SUVs. But if you like SUVs, want one with incredible capabilities and a luxurious interior, the Land Cruiser should be on your shopping list.
Scott Burgess is the auto critic for The Detroit News. He can be reached at (313) 223-3217 or sburgess@detnews.com.
Enjoy
Land Cruiser commands respect
Scott Burgess: Review
Land Cruiser commands respect
Efficient upsizing in body and power means there's more to love about Toyota's large SUV
I like big SUVs.
They give such a commanding view of the road. Their sheer size intimidates other vehicles out of the way. SUVs are the vehicles that answer all of the "what if" fears in our lives.
Sure, the SUV is impractical for my daily commute to work, but what if it snows and I need a 4x4? Or what if I need to ford a river? What if I buy a boat and then need to tow it?
The SUV answers those questions, but somewhere between global warming and high fuel prices, SUV became a curse word.
Nevertheless, for motorists not pinching pennies or losing sleep over climate change, there's an impressively revitalized player in the full-sized SUV lineup.
Last fall, Toyota Motor Co., quietly introduced its overhauled Land Cruiser, a solid piece of heavy duty machinery.
The redesigned 2008 Land Cruiser enters its 10th generation for the Japanese carmaker. The newest flagship SUV is bigger, more powerful, more luxurious and more expensive. This SUV makes a statement.
In fact, here's the statement I imagine any owner of the new Land Cruiser making: "I've made it and I have gotten to the point in my life where I now have more money than I actually know what to do with it."
Even the behemoth Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator cost thousands of dollars less. My nicely loaded Land Cruiser vehicle topped $71,000. It has a starting sticker of $63,885.
That's a lot of coin. For penny pinchers, it would take a 5.8-mile stack of pennies to pay for a new Land Cruiser.
For that kind of money, you should expect a fantastic vehicle -- and you get it, and more.
Expectations fulfilled
With the newest iteration, the Land Cruiser's interior finally catches up with its abilities.
It's plush to say the least, and it's very comfortable. The driving position is very high -- it takes a big step to hop into the Land Cruiser. But once you're there, it's easy to appreciate the view. And there's plenty to appreciate inside as well: the turquoise-illuminated instrument gauges; easy-to-reach controls on the center stack; and convenient storage in the center console. Every piece along the dash feels tailored for the vehicle. Well made and put together is the expectation with something this expensive and Toyota hits it mark.
The 14-speaker JBL stereo provides crystal-clear sound and the push-button start adds a touch of sophistication. Just remember to turn it off -- the Land Cruiser is so quiet you often forget it's running. On two occasions, I parked and hopped out without shutting it off.
Options add to the luxurious lore. The navigation system, which provides a backup screen, is as easy to see during the day as it is at night. But I do wish Toyota or someone else for that matter would figure out a way to clean the backup camera lens. Salt, snow and muck make seeing anything through that camera nearly impossible. Other options include: a DVD player with a 9-inch fold-down screen; Bluetooth connectivity; and a towing converter to connect trailer controls.
Ready for rough terrain
The Land Cruiser comes with standard four-wheel drive (something neither the Escalade nor Navigator can say). During the week I drove the Land Cruiser, I challenged its off-roading abilities as most Americans who load up their family of four do: Cruise to work, grocery shop, take a side trip to the dry cleaners. The most rigorous off-roading I managed was driving snow-covered side streets in Detroit. But the Land Cruiser has legendary tough terrain prowess. Outside of the United States, it's one of the vehicles of choice for war-torn regions, disaster areas and massive humanitarian efforts.
The Land Cruiser, along the lines of a Hummer H2 or Land Rover Defender, is truly a life saver in those regions. These vehicles do their best work in places around the world where there are more pressing matters than emissions and carbon offsets.
One item on the Land Cruiser I do not care for pops up on a lot of vehicles today: the real-time fuel mileage display. It allows the driver to know what kind of mileage the vehicle is reaching on a second-by-second basis. Frankly, it seems like a silly feature on an SUV. The Land Cruiser is not going to be hitting 60 miles per gallon any time soon.
The EPA says it gets 13 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. I managed 14 mpg in combined driving.
The fuel economy may not sound great, but the engine certainly is. The new 5.7-liter V-8 Toyota has created never wants for power. It's quiet and tosses around the 5,690-pound SUV like a rag doll. The fuel-injection system Toyota uses helps the engine produce 381 horses and 401 pound-feet of torque (at 3,600 rpm). Both are big improvements over the previous generation Land Cruiser, which used a 4.7-liter V-8 that produced 265 horsepower.
Toyota also added a crawl mechanism for serious downhill runs. It controls the engine and brakes to maintain a slow constant speed without overheating the brakes.
More using (a bit) less gas
Everything, it seems, is bigger on the new Land Cruiser. It's longer, wider, taller and more efficient. Somehow Toyota improved gas mileage andadded nearly 125 horses under the hood. The six-speed automatic transmission uses artificial intelligence to predict how the driver will behave as well as estimate road conditions to find the right gear.
The bigger size leads to some clumsiness. It's not the kind of vehicle you want to try to squeeze into a tight parking space or small garage. Its height could limit access to some public garages as well. But those are the same issues you face with any large SUV.
The ride and handling are smooth, but the high driving position leads to a blind spot on the right, off the passenger side fender.The exterior makeover of the Land Cruiser adds sleeker lines, giving it a more sophisticated look. It's well proportioned and adds some character to distinguish itself.
This may not be the vehicle for everyone. It's size may make some drivers uncomfortable, and the high price may push people to more affordable luxury SUVs. But if you like SUVs, want one with incredible capabilities and a luxurious interior, the Land Cruiser should be on your shopping list.
Scott Burgess is the auto critic for The Detroit News. He can be reached at (313) 223-3217 or sburgess@detnews.com.
