RE: All-new Toyota Land Cruiser launched

[LimaDelta]

biggbn said:

NomduJour said:

TheJimi said:

I've only watched the Carwow review by Mat Watson, and felt a bit underwhelmed. I really wanted to be blown away by it, but I wasn't.

Anyone else feel the same?

I suppose it’s just a Land Cruiser that looks better than it did before, there’s not much new or novel about it.

If it ain't broke....

Exactly, it is already near-perfect for what it does. There aren't many ways to really improve it without compromising it's authenticity. I know people keep banging on about the engine, but if you want a faster, more road-focussed large SUV there are plenty of other big-engined options out there. 200bhp in such a large car is never going to feel fast, but honestly as someone who owns the current model with the 2.8, it is quick enough. More power means more compromises, and more road tuned handling, bigger brakes, wheels etc. which all move it away from it's intended use.

The reviews are all honest enough - unless you actually need the off-road dependability, then most people will be better off with an X5, XC90, Disco 5, etc. Coming from that sort of SUV, the LC will feel very agricultural and a bit unrefined.

I imagine Toyota will be doing a lot of test-drives for new to brand customers, but I'm not sure how many of those will translate into sales.

[Hereward]

Shame there is no V8.

I have run a 2003 Touareg V8 for 17 years and now just starting to think about its replacement. I am thinking of a Nissan Patrol V8 imported from Australia or South Africa (not sold in the UK). 5.6 litre V8, 400 bhp, 140 litre fuel tank, 18-inch alloys. Perfect.

[Wadeski]

NomduJour said:

TheJimi said:

I've only watched the Carwow review by Mat Watson, and felt a bit underwhelmed. I really wanted to be blown away by it, but I wasn't.

Anyone else feel the same?

I suppose it’s just a Land Cruiser that looks better than it did before, there’s not much new or novel about it.

Depending on the specs you are comparing, since LC ranges differ around the world, but the differences can be pretty huge:

- its vastly cheaper than a 200 series, which by the end were priced like Range Rovers. In the US, the 300 will only be a Lexus.
- the MPG is improved by dropping the V8
- it finally has apple CarPlay / Android Auto

[LimaDelta]

Wadeski said:

- it finally has apple CarPlay

This is literally the main reason we are replacing our older one. (the nav/infotainment system in general feels very dated)

[Snow and Rocks]

NomduJour said:

I suppose it’s just a Land Cruiser that looks better than it did before, there’s not much new or novel about it.

Going by the Autocar review that you shared they've done a great job with some pretty serious sounding improvements in almost every area.

The road manners and interior in particular seem to have been completely transformed - I'm not really sure what else you would expect? It was never going to have air suspension or a monocoque because Toyota don't believe they're durable enough in the long term. The engine is well proven and more than up to the job.

I'm not a particular fan of the launch edition styling but I think a lower end model in a more restrained colour will do me nicely. If I can get hold of one next year, the ten year warranty should see me through until 2035 when hopefully some sort of genuinely viable alternative powertrain options will be on the table.

[Smint]

My Landcruiser is 19 years old now and still on its original rear air suspension and electrically adjustable dampers (only the top spec had rear air), the Amazon range 100/200 have been on hydraulic suspension (Citroenesque) since 1998 ish.

Both systems are reliable competent and robust, its usually the result of neglect and/or corrosion of pipes or sensors that leads to the retrofitting of steel springs all round.

[Mikebentley]

Would those of you considering one get the underside treated for extra longevity? I will look at them when I can get a proper look at one to maybe replace my Defender. I’m having difficulty visualising the size from video reviews.

[biggbn]

LimaDelta said:

biggbn said:

NomduJour said:

TheJimi said:

I've only watched the Carwow review by Mat Watson, and felt a bit underwhelmed. I really wanted to be blown away by it, but I wasn't.

Anyone else feel the same?

I suppose it’s just a Land Cruiser that looks better than it did before, there’s not much new or novel about it.

If it ain't broke....

Exactly, it is already near-perfect for what it does. There aren't many ways to really improve it without compromising it's authenticity. I know people keep banging on about the engine, but if you want a faster, more road-focussed large SUV there are plenty of other big-engined options out there. 200bhp in such a large car is never going to feel fast, but honestly as someone who owns the current model with the 2.8, it is quick enough. More power means more compromises, and more road tuned handling, bigger brakes, wheels etc. which all move it away from it's intended use.

The reviews are all honest enough - unless you actually need the off-road dependability, then most people will be better off with an X5, XC90, Disco 5, etc. Coming from that sort of SUV, the LC will feel very agricultural and a bit unrefined.

I imagine Toyota will be doing a lot of test-drives for new to brand customers, but I'm not sure how many of those will translate into sales.

This. Land Cruiser isn't an 'aspirational' SUV in the way some of its 'competitors' are, it seems to now inhabit a class of its own, well made, relatively utilitarian, owners have them a long time and, well, nothing else will do.

[NomduJour]

[Snow and Rocks]

Smint said:

My Landcruiser is 19 years old now and still on its original rear air suspension and electrically adjustable dampers (only the top spec had rear air), the Amazon range 100/200 have been on hydraulic suspension (Citroenesque) since 1998 ish.

Both systems are reliable competent and robust, its usually the result of neglect and/or corrosion of pipes or sensors that leads to the retrofitting of steel springs all round.

The comment about the vulnerability and increased maintenance requirements of air suspension in general came from an interview with a Toyota chassis engineer on YouTube I watched a while back. I also read somewhere years ago that was why Toyota opted for hydraulics instead on the 100 series.

[NomduJour]

AHC failure seems like one of the most common problems, looking at the forums. As for air, I’ve got an old Range Rover that was on what appeared to be all-original working air (bags, compressor, lines etc) at 25 years old.

[Snow and Rocks]

Mikebentley said:

Would those of you considering one get the underside treated for extra longevity? I will look at them when I can get a proper look at one to maybe replace my Defender. I’m having difficulty visualising the size from video reviews.

Absolutely - I treat the underside of my Hilux every year with lanoguard and it's definitely worth it if you plan on keeping it for the long term. Mechanically they just on going so it's usually the underside that eventually spells the end of them. Our old family 80 series made it to it's 30th birthday before finally needing rust repair work underneath. It was in daily use on salt laden roads of rural Aberdeenshire too - mechanically it was still spot on with no significant repairs from new.

[Snow and Rocks]

NomduJour said:

AHC failure seems like one of the most common problems, looking at the forums. As for air, I’ve got an old Range Rover that was on what appeared to be all-original working air (bags, compressor, lines etc) at 25 years old.

Without wanting to reduce this to a LR vs Toyota argument - all variable height suspension systems are complex with lots of moving parts in vulnerable and exposed places by necessity. The engineer interviewed said durability was Toyota's reason for discounting air and going with coils on the 300.

I also hope that you're not suggesting that LR air suspension is a reliable and durable system? It was an absolute liability on our nearly new P38, it was only rivalled by the engine for repair costs and failures. It was thankfully replaced by an 80 series which I only sold recently.

[NomduJour]

Had experience of probably 15 LRs on air - only problem has been on my old LSE, which was caused in the process of preventative maintenance…

[Snow and Rocks]

NomduJour said:

Had experience of probably 15 LRs on air - only problem has been on my old LSE, which was caused in the process of preventative maintenance…

Life's too short to argue online but I'll take your word for that, sounds like you've been very lucky indeed.

[Smint]

Mikebentley said:

Would those of you considering one get the underside treated for extra longevity? I will look at them when I can get a proper look at one to maybe replace my Defender. I’m having difficulty visualising the size from video reviews.

Absolutely, rust is the killer of all ladder chassised 4x4's not just Toyotas, otherwise a well serviced LC/Hilux can outlast its owner.

As the other poster i treat mine every year, its still rock solid underneath at 19.
As well as cavity waxing body and chassis, i've taken to painting the outside of the chassis and the high wear areas of the inner sills (they can perforate if left) in marine grease, and i spray the underbody generally with ACF50 every year, this method does indeed make for a filthy vehicle to work on underneath but the product creeps into all nooks and crannies.

I think all of us with ageing 4x4's have our own rustproofing methods which work for us, whatever one does its got to be better than the neglect which most vehicles of this type suffer from day one, its usually only the used buyers down the line who start rustproofing so someone who acts from day one will have a gem on their hands.

Edited by Smint on Wednesday 10th April 16:13

[Frankychops]

politeperson said:

Sounds Familiar.
Sharp boxy tall 4WD with a commanding driving position
Physical buttons and switches
Ladder Chassis
2.7/3.0 diesel 200 bhp
Manual or Auto, Lo/Hi Range
30mpg
3,500kg towing
5 or 7 seats
Cloth or leather seats
2.5 tonne Kerbweight

Sounds like a Land Rover Discovery3!
Does it have air suspension too?
Probably a bit more reliable I would think.

1 day late for april fools?

[Frankychops]

fizz47 said:

TheJimi said:

I've only watched the Carwow review by Mat Watson, and felt a bit underwhelmed. I really wanted to be blown away by it, but I wasn't.

Anyone else feel the same?

Same here - I was all ready to go for the top spec car and planned to keep it for the next 10 years but after looking at the reviews I’m changing my mind but I think it’s down to the engine choice… I honestly don’t want the diesel and if it came with the Lexus engine options then I think I would be happy to order one now .. even the mild hybrid isn’t exciting me…

it seems better in every way? the reviews about the ride comfort seem very very positive. Also the engine feeling better and a decent gearbox.

I see JLR defenders with those terrible plastic lunchbox things and people with lip fillers/white tracksuits everywhere. Maybe thats what the lunchboxes are for?

[NomduJour]

Frankychops said:

1 day late for april fools?

Fifteen years too late.

[NGK210]

The Throttle House fellas took an LC250 on a 'desert adventure'. Fun film, impressive vehicle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDcOOoDqcto

They recently experienced the latest Range Rover, too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuUaXXNgZFI&t=...