Why The 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser Is a Very Strong Alternative to a Range Rover?

The 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser is built on nearly the same body as before, but everything forward of the a-pillars is completely brand new. Up front, you’re looking at a new bumper, new grille, and new LED headlights. Out back, the taillights are also LED, and a new rear bumper has been grafted on. The side rocker panels have been massaged slightly, as well, and new-design 18-inch alloy wheels are standard.

The Land Cruiser’s power comes by way of a 5.7-liter V-8, mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. With 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft on tap, the Land Cruiser won’t be left wanting for thrust. Somehow, this gargantuan house-on-wheels still achieves 13 mpg city and 18 mpg highway, which is impressive for a vehicle of this size. If you need to tow things, Toyota’s got you covered; the Land Cruiser comes right out of the dealership with an 8,500-pound towing capacity.

Towing isn’t all this SUV is good for, though. With a full-time 4WD system containing a Torsen limited-slip locking center differential, a two-speed transfer case, and cameras that will show you every corner of the vehicle, the Land Cruiser is set up for off-road adventuring whenever the driver wants. Skid plates, hydraulically-actuated sway bars, crawl control, hill-start assist … this thing is ready to get dirty.

Just like Toyota’s little brother, Scion, the Land Cruiser is available in a single specification, with no options other than color choices. Standard equipment includes an upgraded head unit with navigation, semi-aniline leather seating for eight, four-zone climate control, a JBL premium audio system, and a Qi wireless phone-charging mat.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a new Toyota without a full suite of safety equipment, as well, and this Land Cruiser is positively loaded in that regard. You’ll be covered by the following tech: forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, backup camera. That’s a good thing, because it’s not easy driving a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier on public roads.