Strengths

Off-road capability; interior space and comfort; safety; towing capability; reputation for toughness.

 

Changes

Toyota has made no major changes from its 2008 Land Cruiser to its 2009 Land Cruiser.

 

Value

The Toyota Land Cruiser has a long-established reputation for being a model that stands up to some of the world's toughest environments. With tons of power, quality suspension and great attention to noise and vibration, the 2009 model is pleasant and responsive on-road, while the Crawl Control system allows it to be even more capable off-road. The Land Cruiser's interior is roomy, comfortable and safe, and with a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds it's also one of the best choices for those who regularly tow.

 

Overview

The 2009 Toyota Land Cruiser has a starting price of under $65,000, and achieves an estimated 13 MPG in the city and 18 MPG on the highway.

The 2009 Toyota Land Cruiser is powered by a new 5.7L V8, making 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. The aluminum-block engine is similar to that used in the Tundra full-size pickup, with direct ignition, four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing and variable-length intakes; it now runs on regular unleaded gas and meets ULEV-II emissions. It delivers power through a 6-speed automatic transmission with a flexible-lockup torque converter for smoothness. All Land Cruisers have full-time 4-wheel drive, including a low range, limited slip rear differential, and a locking Torsen center differential.

A body-on-frame layout assures more long-term durability for the Land Cruiser than other unibody sport utility vehicles. In front, the suspension has a high-mount double-wishbone setup that's better for off-roading while not sacrificing on-road performance. In back there's a 4-link coil-spring arrangement with a stabilizer bar. To provide a good mix of off-road ability and crisp handling on-road, there's a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, which uses hydraulic cylinders to vary the suspension's stiffness as needed.

The Land Cruiser's interior has three rows of seating, for up to eight. For ease of entry to the third row, the second row on the passenger side has a one-touch tumble feature, and the second row adjusts about four inches fore and aft.

The Land Cruiser has ten air bags-the most in any Toyota vehicle-and all eight seating positions have 3-point seatbelts. Multi-terrain anti-lock brakes, with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and brake assist, are standard along with the VSC stability control system. Hill-start assist control (HSC) is also included and helps keep the vehicle stationary when starting from a stop on a steep incline or slippery surface, as is downhill assist control (DAC), a feature designed to regulate a target speed down steep slopes while off-roading.

There's also the feature called "Crawl Control." With the transfer case shifted to the low range, Crawl Control controls the throttle and brakes to maintain one of three speed settings ranging up to about 5 mph, allowing the driver to focus on steering around obstacles.

Throughout, the new Land Cruiser has more sound insulation to yield a much quieter interior, plus there's a new air-conditioning system that's both quieter and more effective. The climate system has a micro-dust and pollen filter and four zones and 28 air vents throughout the cabin.

The standard-features list on the Land Cruiser is surprisingly luxurious, including features such as a power moonroof, heated power seats, Smart Key keyless entry, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, and a JBL sound system with six-disc in-dash CD/DVD changer and 14 speakers.

Major options include a DVD rear entertainment system, a back-up camera, second-row heated seats, and a touch screen navigation system that also includes, headlamp washers, and Bluetooth.