2010 Toyota Landcruiser Reviews

Toyota largely built its enviable reputation for toughness and reliability on big, lusty four-wheel drives like the Prado. Regarded as the LandCruiser's little brother, the Prado is a big wagon that is able to cope with life in town. New It can accommodate up to seven in reasonable comfort, with some space left over

The growing popularity of SUVs has seen many of the breed dilute the off-road skill set to accommodate more civilised road manners -- but not this lot.Certainly less agricultural than their forebears, these three examples still have more than enough gumption to gallop down the Gunbarrel Highway or amble along the Oodnadatta Track.The phrase “King Off The Road'' has long been associated with the Toyota LandCruiser and there's nothing to suggest it's a royal fraud.The Japanese brand has built much of its reputation on the back of this beast -- wags will joke that if you want to get somewhere, take a Land Rover -- but if you want to get home again take a LandCruiser.The Toyota's debut was as a workhorse in the 1960s, covering rough ground around the Snowy Mountains Scheme, and its legend has grown from there. The throne is currently occupied by the 200 Series, updated in late 2009.The pricing was a reflection of the demand and Toyota was charging mid-$80,000 for the entry-level GXL wagon. But for towing a caravan, horse float or a boat, there wasn't much that could touch the Toyota's 3500kg braked towing capacity.New vehicle sales figures reflected that, with the LandCruiser regularly outselling Nissan's Patrol by two to one. The Patrol has a long heritage in Australia as well, stretching as far back as the LandCruiser.In 1962, geologist Reg Sprigg and family travelled across the Simpson Desert in a G60 Nissan Patrol, the first vehicle to complete the journey. The Patrol nameplate took hold in the 1980s and has been a part of the 4WD scene ever since.The brand just launched its new model -- with no sign of a diesel engine -- so we'd be inclined to look back to when it had a turbo diesel under its squared-off snout. A left-field choice in this segment is the Jeep Commander, a model that never took off in Australia but had seating for seven, turbo diesel power and the off-road cred that comes with a Jeep badge.There were petrol six- and eight-cylinder options but the 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6, teamed with a five-speed auto, had ample torque and a reasonable thirst. Not a stellar sales performer for the US brand, it fell victim to belt-tightening brought on by the GFC, but if you're not interested in a Japanese giant it might fit the bill.HOT TIPSCheck for signs of water intrusion and rust, as serious off-road expeditions gone awry (as well as recent floods) can have rusty consequences.Diesels are generally more frugal and a lot easier to feed in the Outback, where PULP and ULP can be in short supply.Check the fine print on the towing details, as some 4WDs make big boasts but fall over in the capacity details.2010 Toyota Landcruiser GXLEngine: 4.5-litre V8 turbo dieselTransmission: 6-speed automaticThirst: 10.3L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSThe 200 Series took Toyota's full-size diesel 4WD into the realm of the turbo diesel V8, which meant lots of torque, as well as genuine off-road ability and room for eight. Cloth trim, stability control, dual-zone climate control, six airbags and money-can't-buy heritage.2012 Nissan PatrolEngine: 3.0-litre 4-cyl turbo dieselTransmission: 4-speed automaticThirst: 11.8L/100CARSGUIDE SAYSLife in the shadows of more popular 4WDs has kept Patrol prices sharp. Three rows of seating, 17-inch alloys, cruise control, airconditioning and stability control are among the features in this full-size off-roader. It was much cheaper than the corresponding 'Cruiser when new and remains a cheaper proposition in the used market.2007 Jeep Commander XH WagonEngine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo dieselTransmission: 5-speed automaticThirst: 10.5L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSThe brand has long been known for building off-roaders -- its heritage dates from WWII. Jeep is not as adept at ergonomic interiors as the Japanese but the brand's charisma tends to offset niggles. A genuine seven-seater that will get off the beaten track when asked.

Toyota's LandCruiser is a genuine 4WD, not just a people mover dressed up to look tough, but which is nothing more than a car underneath that supposedly rugged body. Highly capable off-road, the big LandCruiser is a longtime favourite with those on the land, in the mines or wanting a hard working tow vehicle.Cruiser has seating for up to eight people, though it is best if the occupants of the rearmost, fold-down seats aren't over large. With all passenger seats in place luggage room becomes relatively restricted. Toyota LandCruiser is unashamedly a large vehicle and can be a real handful at times in tight suburban running, particularly in undercover carparks. It’s not only the size of the LandCruiser, but also its large turning circle, that can cause hassles. It has been improved over the years.But try one for yourself if you've never experienced the potential parking hassles. Despite this, quite a few are used as family wagons, thanks to the spacious cabin and big luggage area. The LandCruiser has been around for years, but really took off in the sales race with the introduction of the 80-Series in 1990. It was replaced in March 1998 by the 100-Series then the 200-Series arrived in November 2007.LandCruiser 200 is a major evolution of the 100 Series rather than a completely new model. Its styling is slightly softer than that of the 100, but its genuine 4WD capability remains under that smoother skin.The LandCruiser 70-Series workhorse and LandCruiser Prado share little in common with the 80, 100 and 200, so will be the subject of separate articles. The added refinement and comfort of the 80-Series compared with its truck-like ancestors made it easier to live with, but even the 80 is getting on in years now so be sure of its condition before handing over the folding stuff. The LandCruiser is relatively simple for the inexperienced owner to take into the bush. Naturally with all the usual provisos of preparation and driver knowledge that apply to all who drive in off-road conditions. Interestingly, the LandCruiser 100-Series reverted to part-time 4WD in its more basic models. Most engines on used LandCruisers are straight sixes, though V8s became more common in later years. The petrol unit was originally a somewhat ancient 4.0-litre six-cylinder unit that was thirsty and not particularly quick.A 4.5-litre, twin-cam, multi valve engine was installed in the topline models late in 1992 and subsequently spread to the rest of the petrol range. It’s a modern unit with tremendous torque and impressive smoothness. A petrol V8 of 4.7-litre capacity, as used in the Lexus LX470, was offered as an option in the LandCruiser 100-Series from 1998 until 2000. It's quite thirsty, but beautifully smooth and torquey.Later developments of that 4.7-litre V8 engine were used in the LandCruiser 200, with the latest being a 4.6-litre unit introduced early in 2012. A petrol V8 with 5.7 litres is also on offer in the LC200. Diesel sixes are relatively common on older 80-Series and came with displacements of 4.0 and 4.2 litres. From 1990 the 4.2 litre diesel used a single overhead camshaft and two valves per cylinder. In 1995 it received a four-valve cylinder head, though it still had a single camshaft. Much better is the 4.5-litre V8 turbo-diesel used in the LC200 – it's reasonably economical, smooth and provides plenty of grunt. The turbo-diesel V8s are big grunt powerplants, making them particularly suited to heavy-duty towing.Five-speed manual gearboxes are offered in some LandCruisers, but most later models use automatic transmissions, with four speeds in the 80 series. There are five forward speeds in the 100 series, and either five or six ratios in the LC200 depending on the model. The LandCruiser has plenty of underbonnet and under-vehicle space so the knowledgeable home mechanic can do a lot of their own repairs. There are Toyota dealers in all areas of Australia, thanks to the company arguably having the most widespread of all networks.Servicing and spare parts are generally reasonably priced, though some parts cost a lot more than they should. Remember that these are heavy-duty, commercially-oriented vehicles so even things like tyres can cost considerably more than they do for a passenger car. Insurance is unlikely to cause real hassles as the working nature of the vehicle means most companies have favourable experiences with the vehicle, letting them keep prices relatively low.WHAT TO LOOK FORLandCruisers that have had severe off-road use – and plenty have – will probably have underbody, door-sill and bumper corner damage. Even those which have only had gentle use away from sealed roads are likely to have scratches in the paint on the doors.Look for dust in the cabin and boot. This may be caused by windows-down driving, but could also mean leaks around the door seals. Maybe even a twisted chassis due to off-road damage and/or a crash.Be wary of the engine’s condition if it has done harsh off-road driving and/or heavy-duty towing. Engines are generally long lasting but watch for a smoking exhaust when the engine is under load that may indicate it is near the end of its life. An oil light that’s slow to go out when the engine is started is another indication of engine wear. Manual gearboxes on older models are relatively heavy, even when new. The 100 Series and 200 Series are better than the older units. Crunching during downchanges to second and first gears is usually the first sign of problems. Transfer boxes are often stiff in operation even when they are working correctly. Be wary of one that’s too tight as they can be expensive to repair.Check for signs of salty sand as it can cause real rust troubles. Look for rust in the floor, especially if the Cruiser has had a lot of beach use. Have a professional inspector follow up your initial examination as a hard used example could cost big bucks to be put back together again.CAR BUYING TIPWhile we usually think of off-road use being tough on 4WDs, life in the suburbs with a mob of rough kids beating up the back area isn’t all that easy either. 

Some fall for the high-riding visibility, many feel safer, and a vast majority realise a versatile wagon is the best way to meet the changing and demanding needs of a 21st century lifestyle.Large four-wheel drives were easy to dismiss as high-priced Toorak Tractors less than 10 years ago, but today's SUVs have flooded every area of new-car showrooms. They come in every size and most price ranges, from compact $20,000-somethings right through to Range Rovers and Porsches with showroom stickers in the $200,000 range.Women with families were originally forced into suburban work with four-wheel drives which were bought as weekend escape machines, but nowdays there are dozens of SUVs which have been designed to meet the real needs of women.Nissan even created a virtual woman — 50-something, independent and successful, kids away from home — when it was developing its latest  Murano SUV. The result is a car that's fine for blokes but ticks the boxes for females.  So, what do some regular Australian women think about a range of the most popular SUVs sold in Australia today?Claire Heaney road-tested the Subaru ForesterMum of Hannah, 10; Patrick, 8 and Lucy 5.There was much excitement when I told the kids we were getting a new car - for the weekend.  That was tinged with horror when they learned I, and not their father, would be in the driver's seat.They think I am a candidate for one of the ‘worst drivers’ shows on telly. And they also hate the fact that when they start clobbering each other I pull over to the side of the road until they promise to stop.  Nonetheless, they waited with anticipation when I left to collect the new car - a Subaru Forester AWD wagon.First impressions were pleasing. It was lovely - black, sleek, not too big and fitted with roof rails.  Then, as I was handed the key, I was told it was a manual. I was struck with fear. Once I got it reversed, I kangaroo hopped home.The kids gave the car the once over, giving it the thumbs up. Although the eldest thought the black duco looked a bit "Goth". Seating negotiation was finalised. Our own car is a Toyota Avensis, a small seven-seater that fits the three kids easily. It also means they are separated over two rows of seating. No fighting over window seats.We popped the bulging booster seat in the middle and I turned myself inside out to buckle them in. Their dad reluctantly slid himself into the front passenger seat. White knuck led, it reminded me of my Dad trying to teach me how to drive.Fairly soon, I was working my way up through the gears with ease. There were a few hiccups such as when we stalled on the Westgate Freeway. "Hey, this isn't a carpark," my eldest advised.  But once we were out of town and headed for Torquay it came into its own. We noted what a smooth and quiet ride the Subaru offered.I experimented with the cruise control but the dual range, providing for low gear if you are driving in sand or up a steep hill, wasn't needed.  The seating, once I remembered it did not have armrests, was really comfy.   There were upsides about only have three seats on offer. We avoided the usual badgering about whether a friend could accompany us on our outing. "It's just us today, guys, we can't fit anyone else in," I told them, barely able to suppress my delight.Sitting side-by-side there was a bit of elbowing and poking going on but the upside was the great wagon space. We had no trouble fitting a picnic, beach bags, boogie boards and other things that would normally be tricky.Although we are getting to the end of child seats, the clever child restraint attachments would have been welcome not so long ago. I also loved the ease in which one or both the back seats could fold down to create a very big space at the back.While we may have outgrown such a car, we could see why they are so popular. Two kids at the back, with the armrest and drinks holder and easy on the fuel would be in heaven.Likes:Great fuel efficiency.Armrests and drink holders in the back.Stylish design.Dislikes:Bit cramped for three kids in the back.I'd go crazy trying to keep a black car clean - so bear that in mind when choosing the colour.Wendy Tuohy road-tested the Toyota LandcruiserMum of Angus 11, Lachie 10 and Eliza, 6This car is not a runabout.  In fact, employing its 2.5 tonne, V8 grunt for the school run or supermarket is like saddling up a stallion for the St Kilda pony rides.  Not that driving it isn't a heap of fun.With awe-inspiring power and excellent suspension -- and much better cabin stability than you'd expect being so high off the ground -- tooling around in Cruiser is a driving novelty.Everything about it is big, including the gas-guzzling, 4.7 litre engine.  It seats eight, and space in the middle row is so generous it feels about like the whole interior of a smaller car.  The outsized rear vision mirrors offer panoramic views, and the storage compartment in the front console is big enough to hold a handbag -- or small gas bottle, if you are using this as the luxurious bush tractor it so obviously is.And you could almost fit a Smart Car in the boot.  But for all its size, the LandCruiser is surprisingly easy to handle.Thanks to a range of new high-tech features, steering is light and agile, and stopping is unexpectedly smooth.  Though in the city, you find yourself riding the brakes a lot.The five-speed auto engine takes off and effortlessly gathers speed as if itching to head straight for the open road -- not the next set of lights.  Because of its ample space and many creature comforts (leather seats, four temperature zones, sun roof, 10 air bags) you can understand why these took off as people-mover alternatives.But given its power, weight, and the fact its impact zone with a normal car would be at their head-height, it's also understandable why many disapprove of urban Cruiser use. Let alone the carbon cost.  And reverse parking is a drag.Sure, reversing cameras help but the LandCruiser just isn't an easy vehicle to back between two normal cars outside the local shops.But try one for the fun. Men will look at you like they want to jump in -- women like they'd rather shoot the tires out.Likes:Interior spaceDriver and passenger safety featuresExcellent power steeringDislikes:Hard to reverse parkBlocks other drivers view of the roadToo much power for townRuth Lamperd road-tested the Kia Carnival GrandMum of Joe, 10; Daniel, 8 and Charlie 5Moving three children and their friends around the suburbs means practicality overtakes image on the freeway of life.  While diesel people mover, the Kia Carnival Grand, looks a lot like any other uninspiring longish-nosed van from the outside, its high-end versions on the inside offer luxuries that make the grown-ups feel a little like royalty.Buttons operate nearly everything and dual air conditioning with personal vents stop squabbles among the passengers.  There are no more heaving on sliding doors or swinging off upward opening boot doors. Power operation makes entering and exiting simple enough for even five-year-olds to manage.  That means far less work and bother for the big people.The steady flow of childrens quizzing from the back seats are easily heard by the driver thanks to good insulation from road and engine noise.  This is in spite of the diesel engine making it sound more like a truck from the outside than an eight seater van.A power lag from a standing start like pulling from a side street into a space in a busy road is nearing danger levels if not in reality, at least in driver perception.  Stick your foot to the floor and about a second will pass before you feel any real power and then it comes on so strong that you are pushed firmly back into your seat from the delayed acceleration.It can provide some scary moments in traffic and belies the ample power otherwise under the bonnet. Hitting the speed limit on a freeway happens deceptively easily and ensures the cruise control albeit a bit shaky in its sensitivity gets a good workout.  There are airbags at every turn and in the event of a head-on crash, manufacturers reassure the nose collapses downwards, ideally leaving drivers legs intact.Good driver vision of surrounding traffic is impressive.  In the child-friendly stakes (although we didnt test what happens when slow-closing power doors if a kids finger is in the way) its right up there.A pop-down fish-eye mirror affords the driver a view of little passengers in the back two seat rows. Anything which gives mum a mythical set of eyes in the back of her head has got to be good.Likes:Power doorsEase of folding down seatsDislikes:Weak airconditioningLag on take-off

The 70-Series is a seriously rough and tough vehicle that will cope with the roughest conditions in the country, but it's really out of its depth in town.  It is a big and cumbersome vehicle that needs to be driven with a large amount of common sense in traffic.  But if you want a reliable vehicle for the round-Australia dream drive that won't cost you an arm and a leg, then it's worth considering.MODEL WATCHThe 70-Series is one of the last uncivilised Landcruisers. That's not to put it down. It was simply designed to work hard.  Built on a ladder frame, the 70-Series came in a range of models in short and long wheelbases with ute, hardtop and troop carrier body styles.Back when four-wheel-drives were driven by men in hard hats, blue singlets and Blundstone boots, Toyota's Landcruiser was the king.  Underneath it had solid axles slung from leaf springs front and back. It was great for going bush, with plenty of ground clearance and good articulation, but it made for a hard ride.Toyota offered a choice of petrol and diesel engines. The 4.0-litre overhead valve six-cylinder petrol engine boasted 111kW and 284Nm, and the 4.0-litre overhead valve diesel six had 72kW and 229Nm.A five-speed manual gearbox was standard, with high ratio two-wheel-drive, plus low ratio four-wheel drive able to be selected via a transfer case. The front hubs had to be locked manually.The 70-Series Landcruiser didn't have many creature comforts. The seats were trimmed in a hard-wearing cloth, the plastics were simple and basic, and the floor was covered in vinyl mats.IN THE SHOPTHE first and most important thing to understand is that the Landcruiser is often used by serious offroaders.  Though it is perhaps the toughest vehicle around, it needs proper and regular maintenance to help it survive.  It won't survive if it isn't serviced, so it's important to see a service record. If there isn't one, get a check by an acknowledged specialist.Rust is a problem. The most common places to see rust are around the windscreen and the side windows, but you might also see it around the roof where it joins the body sides.It's also important to check underneath. Running for hours on dirt roads can be like sandblasting the underbody, stripping the paint and protection right back to the bare metal, which can then rust.Caring owners will have moved things such as diff breathers higher to minimise the chances of water entry in river crossings, but even then it's almost impossible to eliminate it.The 70-Series is generally a hardy vehicle and little goes wrong with its engines, gearboxes and diffs if they're regularly serviced.  Some petrol-engined Landcruisers have been converted to LPG, but be wary of them because they add load to the cooling system.A regular problem that Dragan Vasic of All Terrain 4x4 has seen is failure of the seal on the transfer case input shaft.  Replacing the seal can be an expensive exercise, but there's a less expensive fix which is often employed and doesn't involved stripping the transfer case.Vasic recommends repacking the front axle bearings every 40,000km minimum, earlier if you're regularly driving through water, and replacing the swivel hub seals and gaskets as well.Window regulators are a common failure, but the cause is usually found in the window channels which are often pinched, making it hard to crank the glass up and down.OWNER'S VIEWNICK Bywater bought his 1985 70-Series Troop Carrier three years ago to do just that.  As a scout leader, he uses it to transport the boys and their gear as well as go on the occasional serious four-wheel-drive adventure. He knew of the 70-Series' reputation for toughness and reliability in rough and rugged conditions.A check by All Terrain 4x4 identified a few minor problems that needed attention, but it was otherwise in quite good condition.  It has clocked 327,000km and shows no sign of tiring.CRUNCH TIMESAFETY wasn't a high priority for the designers. Their brief was to design a vehicle to stand up in the harshest conditions on earth. Safety simply was not critical.  Mass and a rigid chassis are the keys to the old Landcruiser's safety performance.THE BOTTOM LINEROUGH but reliable wagon. The 70-Series is generally a hardy vehicle and little goes wrong with its engines, gearboxes and diffs if they are regularly serviced.