Toyota Land Cruiser 2008 Review

A price premium of $10,000 stands between the petrol and turbodiesel models of the new 200-Series LandCruiser range. While other companies charge the same for equivalent petrol and diesel models, in some cases even less for the diesel, it makes a decision between the two big Toyotas more complex.

I've driven the Sahara turbodiesel V8 and loved the torque, liked the tricky kinetic suspension but felt a little miffed at some equipment omissions compared with its predecessor.

I'm back in a LandCruiser, this time the GXL petrol V8 version. It sounds nice, which is why a lot of people buy V8s, but how does it stack up against the diesel?

Claimed fuel consumption figures of 14.5 litres/100km for the petrol versus 10.3 litres/100km for the diesel are lab numbers.

The petrol engine delivers 410Nm of torque - down from the diesel's 650Nm - and in real-world driving conditions the power difference is apparent.

It's not a bad engine but to keep up with the diesel's level of performance it has to work harder and, as a result, fuel use increases.

Also working against the GXL is the fact that V8 petrol models retain a five-speed automatic, while its diesel brethren get an extra ratio.

Combine that with the petrol's higher engine revolutions for peak torque and the petrol V8 is handicapped by comparison. The GXL features list looks comprehensive, although for $70,000 you might expect a few more toys.

But with front and side airbags, as well as curtain airbags for the first two rows, anti-lock and stability control systems, there is ample safety gear.

The cloth-covered seats have only manual adjustment and there's no automatic headlights or rain-sensing wipers. You do get 17 inch alloys, reach'n'rake adjustable steering, cruise control, front and rear climate control, and power windows and mirrors. For the same money, there are other Japanese and U.S.-built SUVs that have leather trim, trip computers, electric seats, auto-dimming mirrors and seat-heaters on their extras list.

Buyers will need to ask themselves what price to put on clever suspension and the badge reputation that the brand has built.

Snapshot

Toyota Landcruiser

GXL petrol V8

Price: $69,990.

Engine: 4.6-litre 32-valve DOHC petrol V8.

Transmission: Five-speed automatic, constant four-wheel drive, lockable Torsen limited-slip centre differential.

Power: 202kW at 5400rpm.

Torque: 410Nm at 3400rpm.

Fuel consumption: 14.5 litres/100km (claimed), tank capacity 138 litres.

Emissions: 341g/km.

Suspension: Independent double wishbones, dampers, coil springs, hydro-mechanical semi-active anti-roll bar (front). Live axle, trailing arms, coil springs, Panhard rod, dampers, hydro-mechanical semi-active anti-roll bar (rear).

Brakes: Four-wheel ventilated discs with four-piston calipers (front). Single-piston rear calipers.

Dimensions: Length 4950mm, width 1970mm, height 1905mm, wheelbase 2850mm, track fr/rr 1640/1635mm, ground clearance 220-225mm, cargo volume 700 litres, weight 2555kg.

Wheels: 17in alloys.

Class competition:

Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 5.7 Hemi, from $70,990.

Nissan Patrol ST-L, from $61,440.

Mitsubishi Pajero Exceed V6, $70,990.

Volkswagen Touareg V6 FSI, $74,990.