Used 2014 Toyota Land Cruiser

For decades the Land Cruiser name has been on a continually progressing series of extremely capable Toyota vehicles, from the original Jeep-like versions to the current contender for SUV King of the Hill. It seats eight, can tow a trailer of 8,500 pounds and has almost-unbelievable capabilities off the pavement – and is also one of the most thoroughly luxurious and fully equipped SUVs on the planet. But magnificence is not to be found in the bargain basement, and the Land Cruiser’s rivals now include Land Rover’s Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz’s GL. And, since everything is included as standard equipment, there is no “base” version. The only choices are exterior and interior colors. The Cruiser is for healthy bank accounts and strong credit ratings.

In the interest of durability and trailer-towing capability, Toyota builds the Land Cruiser with an extremely robust body-on-frame construction. This might seem archaic, but the Cruiser’s fully independent suspension, with control arms in front and a multilink arrangement in the rear, provides exceptional articulation for the most severe off-road situations and compliance for a smooth highway ride. Body roll in extreme conditions is managed with Toyota’s Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which hydraulically adjusts the resistance of the front and rear anti-roll bars. In off-pavement situations the KDSS allows the wheels on each side to move with a large degree of side-to-side independence, thus keeping the tires on the ground but, during pavement cornering, the anti-roll bars operate conventionally to help reduce body lean. And, even though it weighs over 5,700 pounds empty, the 5.7-liter V8, with 381 horsepower, moves the big Land Cruiser with easy and smooth response and grace.

Whether it’s eight people sitting comfortably or just the driver and cargo, or any mix thereof, the 2014 Land Cruiser deals with all of it. But there is one glitch: Instead of folding flat into the floor, the two halves of the 3rd-row seat flip up and attach to the sides of the vehicle – it’s not only awkward to operate, it wastes cargo space. Otherwise, for the passengers, the Land Cruiser is luxuriously wonderful. The seats are supremely comfortable, the features are user-friendly and comprehensive, the layout/design is pleasing to the eye and the fit-and-finish is impeccable.

The 2014 Toyota Land Cruiser’s exterior is as straightforward and functional as its mission in life: ruggedly dependable capabilities in any weather, over any terrain, and the ultimate in refined luxury. There is ample ground clearance and short front and rear overhangs for the rough stuff, and an upscale look from front to back that would be completely acceptable at a high-end restaurant’s valet parking. It’s not the most stylish of the luxury SUVs, but there is no doubt of its status in the off-road pecking order.

5.7-LITER V8 ENGINE
A vehicle like the 2014 Land Cruiser needs an engine to match its capabilities, and the big V8 under the hood is as unobtrusive as a good waiter and as dependably competent as a Secret Service bodyguard. Smooth, quiet, powerful – it gets all parts of the Cruiser’s jobs done.

KINETIC DRIVING SUSPENSION SYSTEM (KDSS)
During serious off-road driving, the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System maximizes suspension travel in order to keep the tires on the ground. On pavement, the KDSS helps alleviate body roll thanks to the system’s massive anti-roll bars.

On the 2014 Land Cruiser, everything is standard equipment: full-time 4-wheel drive, vehicle stability control, 4-wheel traction control and a multi-terrain anti-lock brake system (ABS) designed to produce shorter and more controllable stops off the pavement. A front and rear sonar proximity warning system alerts drivers of hidden objects and structures. The 4-zone climate-control system’s 28 outlets should help all passengers stay comfortable. The Land Cruiser’s adaptive cruise control system employs radar to detect the speed of and distance to the vehicle ahead of it, alleviating part of the stress associated with extended road trips.

The 2014 Toyota Land Cruiser includes everything as standard equipment. The only choices left to the buyer are exterior and interior color selection.

The 5.7-liter V8 of the 2014 Toyota Land Cruiser makes 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque, with 90 percent of that torque available at just 2,200 rpm. It’s matched to a 6-speed automatic transmission and, altogether, the powertrain is the definition of smoothness, refinement, quiet and readily available power at an instant’s notice. Not only will it easily deal with the Land Cruiser’s weight which, with only a couple of passengers, will be over three tons, it will also tow a trailer of 8,500 pounds. The power goes through a sophisticated full-time 4-wheel-drive system that includes a Torsen limited-slip locking center differential and directs power to the wheels with the best grip. The Land Cruiser is one of the most capable vehicles on the planet.

5.7-liter V8
381 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
401 lb-ft of torque @ 3,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/18 mpg