The Toyota Land Cruiser is among the best vehicles in the global market, so the fans should know whenever something changes. For 2018, the Land Cruiser will come with the slightly modified exterior as well as the cabin. The vehicle was presented at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show and here is what we know about the improved model.
Competitors
The main rivals of the new Land Cruiser are Land Rover Range Rover and the Infiniti QX80. Both vehicles are priced above $85,000, and they come with a breath-taking design, a wide range of engines which deliver a tremendous amount of power and a lot of tech goodies. What does the 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser have to beat its competition? Let’s see.
Engines
There are no changes under the hood which means that the 2.8-liter D-4D four-cylinder turbodiesel, the 2.7-liter gasoline four-cylinder unit, and the 4.0-liter gasoline V6 powerplant will be offered. No longer will there be the gasoline V6 in Australia due to the popularity of the D-4D engine. It produces 128 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, and it is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The six-speed manual is offered as well, but if you choose that one know that it has reduced torque to 309 lb-ft of torque.
Meanwhile, the 2.7-liter unit delivers 118 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, whereas the V6 returns with the same output like before – 180 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. You should know that unique engine lineups are offered in different parts of the world. For instance, a 2.8-liter turbodiesel is a sole option in Australia and Western Europe, whereas the Eastern Europe and other markets have two gasoline engines.
A big part of the Land Cruiser is the full-time 4WD system. A Torsen limited-slip differential splits power between half-shaft axles up front and the solid axle in the back. Torque is split 40/60 to the front and rear in normal operation, but if the wheel starts slipping, the system automatically routes power to the wheels with traction.
Just like in the previous version, the 2018 model will come with CRAWL Control, A-TRAC, and Multi-Terrain Select systems. The CRAWL control allows the driver to set a constant speed when this vehicle is driven under ten mph, which is especially useful off-road. Meanwhile, the A-TRAC uses individual brake inputs to control wheel spin. In the meantime, it feathers throttle input from the driver’s right foot. Last but not least, Multi-Terrain Select provides drivers with Mogul, Rock, Mud and Sand, Loose Rock and Rock and Dirt settings.
Interior
The cabin has changed, and the buttons and switches are better organized. To be more precise, they are placed in three categories – drivetrain, comfort, and driving. Some of the new items you can find inside are the infotainment screen, gauge cluster, HVAC vents located at the top, the HVAC controls and 4WD controls. A new 4.2-inch TFT display for vehicle information and a nice 8.0-inch infotainment screen are both making the interior more beautiful and provide useful information to the driver. Some of the luxury elements are leather seats, a wood-capped steering wheel wrapped in leather, thick elbow pads, tri-zone climate controls, etc.
Also, the 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser is a large vehicle with its 2+3+3 configuration. There is a lot of space inside the cabin, but unlike most SUVs in the United States, the Land Cruiser’s third-row seats fold unconventionally. None of the rear chairs nestle into the floor, and instead, the 50/50-split bench actually folds against the walls, whereas the second row has 60/40 split and each side tumbles forward and rests against the front seatbacks.
Exterior
There are changes to the exterior as well. For instance, the front grille and lower fascia are higher than before which aids the vehicle’s water fording ability. The headlights are further inboard and safer from trail damage whereas the hood has a functional purpose and because of the center crease, the driver can see the road better. Meanwhile, the front fenders have taller edges, but these physical improvements and features are aided by the 360-degree camera system and new Multi-Terrain Monitor with its Under-Floor View.
The rear end of the Land Cruiser received new taillights and a revised liftgate. The lights are now vertically oriented, whereas the wide swath of chrome is removed and in its place, you can find a chrome piece which is tasteful, right above the license plate. Toyota offers 17-, 18- and 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in street-biased tires, but off-car aficionados can choose all-terrain or mud tires if they want.
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Pricing
Even though the 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser debuted in Frankfurt, pricing isn’t released. In Australia, the new model will cost from $54,000 to $86,000 whereas, in the US, the current model starts at $83,665 and goes up as you add options. The slight increase in price is expected in the States for the updated 2018 model, but don’t expect it to be over $500. Follow us for more details.
