Toyota Land Cruiser 2018 Test and Review

The 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser has good off-road capabilities and high reliability in harsh conditions.

With a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, four-wheel drive, and a solid rear axle, the Land Cruiser is a formidable SUV. Here are some reference reviews from The Car Connection magazine about Toyota's most prominent SUV today.

Design is rated 7/10

The 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser is considered an attractive SUV that stands out from the crowd both in terms of interior and exterior design. This model has remained loyal to the bulging body design and many shiny chrome parts for nearly 3 decades.

The body shape with shiny chrome panels is the traditional design of Land Cruiser.

Inside, the Land Cruiser's upright dashboard features large buttons and knobs for on-road and off-road driving modes. Most of the features are integrated into the console.

Additionally, in the center is a handy gear lever with knobs and switches that control a number of features such as low-range transmission or multi-mode anti-slip control.

Power 6/10

The 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser handles well and is a star on off-road trails, but some of its handling is lacking.

For a model like the Toyota Land Cruiser, the power score is based on how well it handles rough roads rather than how fast it goes. So, although the car is noted for its durability and smoothness, it does not score high due to its poor handling.

The car is durable but its handling is limited.

The car is equipped with a 5.7-liter V8 engine that produces 381 horsepower and 401 ft-lb of torque. Unlike its competitors, the Toyota Land Cruiser does not have a 2-wheel drive option.

Despite its kerb weight of over 6,000 pounds, the Land Cruiser still has strong acceleration. The eight-speed automatic transmission is smooth, but can sometimes be stiff and difficult to adjust.

The sturdy chassis and rear axle with sturdy joints provide great off-road driving feel, but cause a shaky feeling when driving on hard flat surfaces.

The car still gives the driver a comfortable feeling when going through rough roads.

Toyota's dynamic suspension system includes large anti-roll bars and automatically disconnects at low speeds, giving the Land Cruiser better handling on curves.

The Land Cruiser is more capable off-road than on-road. When engaged, it uses anti-skid and anti-lock brakes to keep the vehicle moving at a slow speed over any terrain.

Toyota Land Cruiser shows its power on off-road routes.

The Land Cruiser’s biggest weakness off-road is its width. It’s nearly 78 inches wide, so when using the anti-lock braking system, it needs a wide enough radius to allow the vehicle to “spin” around.

Finally, the Land Cruiser's distinguishing feature is a limited-slip Torson differential that can lock in certain off-road situations at the push of a button.

The Land Cruiser looks absolutely stunning as it drives through the dunes. With the tire pressure down, the Cruiser counters its lift with ease.

Amenities and quality 8/10

The Toyota Land Cruiser feels like a luxury car with a comfortable interior, even if the third row is only for children. The Land Cruiser's cabin is very spacious, especially the front and second rows of seats feel very sturdy with a large usable area.

The second row of seats is equipped with a high-resolution screen that can be adjusted in height and can accommodate 3 people. The third row has only 2 seats and can be folded down when not in use to increase storage space.

The car has 3 rows of seats with the 2nd row equipped with high quality screens.

The Land Cruiser has 0.5 m3 of space behind the third row of seats. If the third row of seats is folded, the space increases to 1.2 m3 and if both rows of seats are folded, the space reaches 2.3 m3, enough room for any luggage of the user.

The semi-aniline leather upholstery is nice and comfortable, but the Land Cruiser's hard plastic design is disappointing and seems at odds with the car's roughly $80,000 price tag.

Safety level remains open

While there hasn't been any safety testing of the 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser, it does feature some high-tech collision avoidance technology.

The car is equipped with up to 10 airbags. Parking sensors, headrests designed to minimize accident risks, rear camera, LED headlights and automatic are all standard equipment.

The car is fully equipped with high-tech driving assistance and collision avoidance features.

While there's no lane control feature, most driver-assistance tech comes standard, including pedestrian-detecting automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings.

Fuel consumption (score 4/10)

The Land Cruiser is one of the least fuel-efficient new cars on the market. According to EPA testing, the Land Cruiser gets 18 liters per 100 km in the city, 13 liters per 100 km on the highway, and 15.7 liters per 100 km combined.

Although the Toyota Land Cruiser has few outstanding features, it is considered a good car for daily use and off-roading. The Toyota Land Cruiser has very few color options like the Range Rover.

The Land Cruiser scores points for its standard features, large infotainment screen, and off-road aids. However, it loses points for not having the unique options that other high-end SUVs have.

Land Cruiser meets the needs of daily use and off-road.

Each Cruiser features four-zone climate control, semi-aniline leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats with heating and cooling, a mini-fridge, keyless entry, and a 9-inch touchscreen paired with a 14-speaker JBL sound system. A rear-seat entertainment system with two 11.6-inch screens and a state-of-the-art DVD player.

According to Zing