Toyota Land Cruiser 2021 review: Sahara

Big, bold, brash and beautiful, what isn’t there to like about the Toyota LandCruiser? Okay, so maybe not beautiful but certainly unapologetic.

It has definite presence, this family carrier, one that goes beyond sheer size. Reputation helps of course but so does the LC’s combination of rugged stance, chrome detail and imposing grille.

The LandCruiser’s exterior dimensions give a pretty clear indication of the space to be enjoyed inside.

There may be an exaggerated flare of the hips, but if you have the guts to call the old girl on it, be my guest.

Despite the luxurious appointments of the Sahara, the interior is starting to look just a little bit tired.

The LandCruiser’s exterior dimensions give a pretty clear indication of the space to be enjoyed inside and it is marvellous to be able to fit the kids, their friends and all their gear without the obligatory, “Mum, she’s touching me with her dirty feet…”.

Despite the luxurious appointments of the Sahara, the interior is starting to look just a little bit tired especially given the bells and whistles to be found in some competitors.

We thought there was oodles of room but admittedly that was with kids in the back. The Sahara fits seven, two up-front, three in the second row and two in the third. As is often the case with large 4x4s, it is the latter that is the issue when it comes to space, more especially because the LandCruiser’s third row folds to either side rather than flat.

This does impact slightly on cargo room, making it trickier to fit in larger items, especially when camping, but it does well enough to swallow a decent load.

Access to the third row for passengers is easier than in most competitors, helped by large door opening and well placed handles, but it would be better if the third row was electrically operated.

My kids preferred to enter and exit from the boot but they are a bit special that way, a trait from my husband’s side of the family, of course.

With the third row in use there is room to fit about five shopping bags and school or swimming bags, which is reasonable enough.

With the third row in use there is room to fit about five shopping bags.

There is little, however, to complain about for those in the first two rows with the height of the vehicle and breadth of the seating making for comfy accommodations.

You sit quite high in the driver’s seat, which improves visibility, and also makes it easier to reach all the revenant dials and controls in the dash.

I have to admit that the LC200, especially in the top-spec Sahara is not hard to live with. There are great storage options dotted throughout the cabin including cupholders, deep door bins and trays in all three rows, mesh pockets on the back of the front seats and one of the best cool boxes we’ve ever used.

There are great storage options dotted throughout the cabin.

Four-zone climate control with directional vents will keep you cool (or warm) wherever you are seated. The front seats are ventilated and heated with the option to heat the second row, too.

The split tailgate is really useful when you have the boot packed to capacity and need to reach in to grab the snack bag that a certain husband was meant to leave up-front, while the sidesteps were invaluable to help the kids hoist themselves in or to strap surfboards to the roof.

The LandCruiser was ANCAP tested in 2011 and then more recently in 2015 with the maximum five-star rating carrying over to this model.

Safety inclusions number 10 airbags, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, lane-departure warning, a 'pre-collision safety system' (Toyota-speak for AEB) with pedestrian detection, radar cruise control and multi-terrain monitor.

There are ISOFX points on the outboard seats of the second row and three top-tether anchor points. Fitting a car seat is uncomplicated but does restrict entry to the third row.

The LC200 doesn’t come cheap and expect the Sahara to set you back $124,396, excluding on roads.

Judging by how many LandCruisers I noticed on the roads while we were in ours, that is a premium many people believe is a more than fair exchange.

The LandCruiser is backed by Toyota’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and three years/60,000km capped price servicing (first six services) is offered.

Costs for those services are $300 each with intervals at six months/10,000km. Toyota will increase the warranty from five to seven years if the service schedule is met.

The LandCruiser has a 138-litre fuel capacity (93L main tank and 45L sub tank) and the turbo-diesel V8 delivers surprising fuel economy.

We got close enough to the claimed combined cycle fuel figure of 9.5L/100km during our almost 1800km in the seat, returning 10.9L/100km with 70 per cent highway driving.