Cruzin’ for a bruzin’

Toyota’s Land Cruiser is one of the largest off-roaders on the market today, a real bruiser. I think the name must have been derived from the car’s ability to make mountains into molehills (land) and reduce gushing torrents to trickling streams (cruiser) – such is its ability to tackle rough terrain and water.

The name Land Cruiser has been about for more than 50 years and, with its go-anywhere appeal, it has a world-wide following. Although, half a century later, the modern Land Cruiser comes with the best safety and technology features built in.

You will find three trim levels with numerous different engines and off-road technology, all varying in specification and price. But new to the range, and tucked just under the range-topper, is the Invincible. Available in silver or black, it is easily recognised by its dark privacy glass and lack of spare wheel stuck on the back door.

However, the most important factor cannot be seen. It is the outstanding three-litre diesel engine, small you might think for such a big car, but which delivers 204 hp and 470 Nm of torque through a five-speed automatic transmission, making it easily the best tow car in its class.

It is not spectacular but is striking because of its enormity.

Alloy 17-inch wheels – ample in their own right – look lost inside huge wheel arches, which would not look out of place on a bus. And you will need a step ladder to see over the roof, let alone clean it.

Standard-fit side steps are a must and I would not have been able to get up into the cabin without them. They are extremely well designed so you can get a good toe-hold anywhere along the step, which itself is firmly attached and doesn’t hinder ground-clearance. I’m sure the heaviest of drivers could lever themselves up and down on it and it wouldn’t budge an inch.

Once up inside the cabin, my own Audi Coupé seems a world away. Everything in this car is much bigger. You can wave your arms and legs around freely, there’s ample space.

I love the leather-trimmed seats with their ruched and big-stitched facings. They are not unlike those you might find in business class, therefore comfortable and accommodating for even the biggest bottoms! The plush carpets are luxurious too. I wouldn’t say the dashboard is anything to write home about. But, then again, people don’t buy Toyotas for their exciting dashboards. All you need to know is they are hardwearing, practical and bits don’t drop off at the slightest bump.

In fact, the luxury interior of this big off-roader doesn’t really gel with the images of wellie-clad mud-pluggers, dogs and mucky passengers. To all intents and purposes, it is a large luxury estate car sitting on a huge go-anywhere chassis.

What makes this car really stand out from the crowd is the fact there’s room for an eight-man crew to travel in luxury with lots of space around them. This has got to be one of the biggest advantages this cruiser has over the opposition. Having that extra seat could be a life-saver. It even comes complete with its own three-point seat belt and headrest.

Of course, if you don’t need the three rear-most seats, you can fold them up against the sides, giving you a big, deep cargo space instead, making this a five-seat cruiser – ingenious Invincible!

Another huge bonus on the test car is the in-car entertainment system, which has two headrest-mounted screens and a DVD fitted into the base of the front armrest unit. And it is gaming system compatible, so you can plug your PS2 or XBox in and play games – great for keeping boredom at bay.

The Invincible driving experience is great. Peering over the steering wheel, the view over the tops of the other cars, in crow’s nest fashion, is superb. I was even looking down on drivers in their Land Rover Discoverys .

Land Cruiser does suffer body roll – it goes with the territory I’m afraid. However, the permanent four-wheel drive system with stability and traction control ensure you have a really smooth drive, flattening every bump in the road so you needn’t experience a choppy ride or suffer too much sea sickness. There is very little road noise too, probably because you are so far away from the ground.

There’s nothing basic or uncomfortable about this car and after you’ve been cruising down the motorway for a couple of hours, you still feel energetic enough for a spot of serious off-roading.

Although I didn’t have long enough to try out the Land Cruiser’s off-road credentials to the full, the technology in the cabin was evident with buttons for various off-road settings and a traditional low-ratio gear stick. However, I was able to drive very quickly through a freshly harvested field and I can confidently say Farmer Chuck (and his cargo of fresh eggs) would be delighted with the smoothness.

So, whether you are surrounded by lush green fields, a concrete jungle or rivers and lakes, it is unlikely you’ll run aground if you choose this mighty motor.

Plenty of drivers swear by the Land Cruiser’s capabilities, particularly to climb a 42-degree hill and its incredible 70cm wading capability. Perhaps Toyota should have called it the Land Cruiser Incredible!.

[Motopia] [Features] [Motorsport] [Contact us] [Links]

Blog

coming soon...

CAR/
BIKE OF THE WEEK

TAX UPDATE

MAPS

ALL
COMING SOON

ROAD CLOSURES