New for 2015
The Land Cruiser returns for 2015, boasting a unique combination of rugged capability and premium features.
King of the Hill
The Toyota Land Cruiser has been around for over 50 years, but you wouldn’t know from looking at it. The big Toyota is not only the brand’s flagship SUV, but also one of the originators of the genre. It’s managed to stay current throughout many decades on sale, evolving into the highly-capable vehicle on sale today.
Powertrain and Performance
The 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser is a traditional body-on-frame SUV, and so it gets a traditional V8 engine, with plenty of muscle to move this big truck and plenty else besides. Said engine produces 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, with 90 percent of that torque available at just 2,200 rpm.
The V8 is coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. Unlike many of today’s SUVs, which aren’t as tough as they look, the Land Cruiser also has the hardware for real off-roading. That includes a two-speed transfer case and Torsen limited-slip center differential.
That transfer case’s low range allows the Land Cruiser to crawl across just about any surface, but if you’re not as adept off-road as it is, there’s also some technology. The Multi-terrain Select system allows the driver to adjust vehicle parameters based on the terrain, and CRAWL Control essentially works as a low-speed cruise control with five ultra low-speed settings.
To help negotiate tight off-road trails, Off-Road Turn Assist applies brake pressure to the inside rear wheel to help steer the Land Cruiser. There’s also Downhill Assist Control to help hold the vehicle at a safe speed while descending, and Hill-start Assist Control to prevent rolling back while ascending.
A towing package is standard, allowing owners to take full advantage of the Land Cruiser’s titanic 8,500-pound towing capacity. The included Trailer Sway Control works with the car’s stability control to make towing a little less nerve wracking.
Thanks to Toyota’s VVT-i variable-valve timing system, the Land Cruiser also gets acceptable EPA-rated fuel economy of 15 mpg combined (13 mpg city, 18 mpg highway)*.
Features and Trims
The 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser is available only as a five-door, eight-seat full-size SUV. It’s offered in a single trim level starting at $80,155**.
Its truck-like design and off-road pedigree may make the Land Cruiser seem like the redneck of the Toyota lineup, but it’s actually a luxury vehicle intended to take on the best from the prestige brands (it even has a Lexus twin, the LX570). To that end, Toyota makes every piece of equipment standard.
That list of equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, running boards, four-zone automatic climate control, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, leather interior, power-adjustable multi-stage heated and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed heated power tilt/telescope steering wheel, Smart Key System with pushbutton start, and 12 (count ‘em) cupholders.
The Land Cruiser has been around for over 50 years, but it’s managed to keep up with the times. That’s apparent from the standard infotainment interface, which includes an eight-inch touchscreen, SiriusXM satellite radio and HD Radio capability, iTunes tagging, and Toyota’s Entune app suite, which includes Bing, iHeartRadio, and Pandora, among other apps. To listen to all of that available music, there’s a 14-speaker JBL audio system.
Exterior/Interior
The 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser looks exactly like what it is. The blocky, relentlessly square bodywork appears to be chiseled from the same rocks this old school makes quick work of out in the wilderness. The Land Cruiser has a simple and straightforward look that’s refreshing in a world where so many cars try to look like something other than what they actually are.
The tough-truck exterior is matched by a luxurious interior. Everything is trimmed in leather, and the driver and front passenger get a commanding view from heated and ventilated power seats. The 40/20/40 split-folding second row and 50/50 split-folding rear bench make reconfiguring the interior space a breeze. There’s a cavernous 81.7 cubic feet of cargo space with all rear seats folded, or 16.1 cubic feet with the seats up.
Safety
As with the comfort, convenience, and appearance features, all safety equipment offered on the 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser is standard. That includes Toyota’s Star Safety System, which bundles stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System, front and rear park assist, Safety Connect telematics (with complimentary one-year subscription), and 10 airbags.
Bottom Line
The 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser was one of the original sport-utility vehicles, and it remains one of the best.
To learn more about the Land Cruiser, or any other Toyota model, contact us online. Better yet, feel free to stop by and visit us at Mills Toyota today.
*EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary depending on driving habits and conditions.
**Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price, excludes the Delivery, Processing and Handling Fee of $825 for Cars, $885 for Small/Light Trucks (Sienna, RAV4, Highlander Gas, Highlander HV, 4Runner, Tacoma and Venza), $1100 for Large Trucks (Tundra), and $925 for Large SUVs (Sequoia and Land Cruiser). (Historically, vehicle manufacturers and distributors have charged a separate fee for processing, handling and delivering vehicles to dealerships. Toyota's charge for these services is called the "Delivery, Processing and Handling Fee" and is based on the value of the processing, handling and delivery services Toyota provides as well as Toyota's overall pricing structure. Toyota may make a profit on the Delivery, Processing and Handling Fee.) Excludes taxes, license, title and available or regionally required equipment. The Delivery, Processing and Handling Fee in AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC and TX will be higher. Actual dealer price will vary.
Image: Toyota
