The Toyota Land Cruiser enjoys an everlasting popularity and a huge market share in the UAE, owing to its preference both as a family vehicle and an off-roading SUV. Though it faces tough competition from rivals such as Nissan Safari and Range Rover, it’s the impressive performance, both on-road and off-road, that makes the Land Cruiser the most established SUV brand in the UAE.
The 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser was officially unveiled in August 2015 and is available in three variants EXR, GXR and the range topping VXR. I got a chance to test drive the 5.7L GXR trim and below are my findings.
Walk Around
Toyota has genuinely updated the overall look of the 2016 Land Cruiser to make it appear more masculine and athletic than the preceding model. You can clearly see in the video and pictures how skillfully the front fascia has been designed featuring a much wider and staunchy grille combined with elegant LED headlamps and day time running lights. Going towards the back, there’s a rear bumper spoiler installed in the 5.7L GXR trim that improves the aerodynamics and adds to the overall sporty persona of the Land Cruiser 2016. The standard wheels are 18-inch alloy, however 20-inch wheels are also available.
Cockpit Impression
”Luxury” is the perfect word I would like to use to describe the cabin of this extravagant SUV. The combination of black and beige is exceedingly attractive, plus it also extends a touch of wooden trim on the front dash and the steering wheel for a true opulent feel. The leather seats are ventilated and fully powered and of course, they are truly comfortable. I didn’t have any problem sitting in the second row seating either, however, the third row seats are a little cramped and lack enough leg room.
The cargo space with the third row seats down is 1,218 litres, but if you have some extra luggage to store, stow down the second row seats too to extend the storage to almost 2,322 litres.
Engine Specifications of 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser
The 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser is available in three engine options:
- 0L V6 Dual VVT-I engine with 271 horsepower and 384 Nm of torque paired to 5 speed automatic
- 6L V8 Dual VVT-I engine producing 304 horsepower and 440 Nm of torque paired to 6 speed automatic
- 7L V8 Dual VVT-I engine generating 362 horsepower and 540 Nm of torque mated to 8 speed automatic. (The one I tested)
Driving Dynamics
I took it for a spin down the highway to check the acceleration and ride quality. Although, it did feel like driving a huge truck due to the remarkable power plant, nevertheless, the performance was pretty smooth. The around view camera helped turning the Land Cruiser on sharp roads. The Acoustic Control Induction system (ACIS) manages the torque according the engine speed thereby improving the performance.
After a drive on the highway, I headed towards the Desert to test its off-road capabilities. The multi-terrain select mode features mud and sand modes, which are perfect for off-roading as they alter the ideal traction needed according to the road surface. Undoubtedly, the performance on the sand dunes was also impressive, thanks to the 4-wheel Active Height Control Suspension System and Crawl Control technology.
Technological Overview
In terms of technology, the 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser is fully loaded with some amazing amenities which should be found in a modern luxury SUV. It features a dual zone auto air conditioning system and9-inch navigation display with USB, AUX, Bluetooth support along with 6 speaker’s audio system. The rear seat passengers can also enjoy HD movies through the rear 9-inch entertainment screens. I also charged my phone through wireless charger and made calls directly through the steering wheel column, absolutely fantastic isn’t it.
Safety
You would find some of the finest safety facilities, in addition to the standard features, in the new Land Cruiser 2016 such as Crawl Control, Turn Assist function, Multi-terrains Select system, Vehicle Stability Control, rear view camera, SRS airbags, Cruise Control and Parking Sensors.
Dislike
The only downside is its lethargic nature owing to its heavy size. Comparing it with Nissan Patrol, it lacks the agility to get up and move forward.
Price
The base EXR trim of 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser equipped with a 4.0L engine starts at AED 209,000, while the top of the line VXR grade featuring a 5.7L engine costs AED 325,000. The GXR trim which I was test driving is priced at AED 278,000.
Verdict
The 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser may not be the most affordable SUV you could find in the UAE, but it is definitely worth its price. If you require a combination of luxury, comfort and brilliant performance, then the 2016 Land Cruiser is a must buy.