Wednesday, 16 March 2011

2011 Toyota Land Cruiser Review

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About this Vehicle

Trim: 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser Base
MSRP: $68,020
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Automatic
Drivetrain: 4X4
Fuel Type: Gas
Curb Weight: 5,765 lbs.

Review

With an MSRP that starts right around $65K, it almost goes without saying that the 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser is packed to the gills with exciting features and topnotch engineering. Its 5.7-liter V8 engine provides ample amounts of power, while its 6-speed automatic transmission glides along with ease. Full-time four-wheel drive allows the Land Cruiser to segue seamlessly from off-roads to city streets. Throw in the fact that its interior is sumptuously appointed and boasts plenty of high-tech gadgetry, and it’s plain to see that Toyota has a winner on its hands.
MSRP: $65,970
Engine: 5.7L V8
Drivetrain: AWD
Transmission: Automatic
Fuel Type: Gas

Review

Whether you intend to use your sports utility vehicle to traverse the great outdoors or you just plan to lug the kids to the beach, the 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser allows you to do it in style. With comfortable seating for 8 passengers, the ability to tow 6500lbs, and a heavy duty suspension system, the Land Cruiser is truly an elite off road vehicle.

Overview

Go off road much?? The Land Cruiser’s low gearing range and skid plate protected suspension system ensure that off-road, rough terrain or even streets with potholes and road hazards never slow the sports utility vehicle down. The 5.7 liter, V8 engine boasts 381 horsepower and a nine cross member reinforced suspension system. With the ability to go from 0 to 60mph in less than 10 seconds, the Land Cruiser’s engine is proficient but also very quiet. The six speed automatic transmission is equipped with all wheel drive. The Land Cruiser gets 13 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway.

Under the Hood

The 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser’s 5.7-liter DOHC V8 engine packs a real wallop. It gets 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. Its 6-speed automatic transmission knows just what to do with that torque, too, and is a perfect match. The Land Cruiser’s Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, or KDSS, is among the best off-road technology being offered today. Full-time full-wheel drive really ups the ante, too, making the 2011 Land Cruiser a true joy to drive.

On the Road

Most people will buy the 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser in order to take it off-roads. That’s smart, because it performs like a champ in such conditions. Its body-on-frame design lets it roll with the punches, while its gas pressure shock absorbers make for a smooth ride just about anywhere. Crawl Control is also back, allowing drivers to set their speeds with ease. In the city, the 2011 Land Cruiser is just as capable - its cornering abilities, for instance, are absolutely mind blowing. On roads or off, the Land Cruiser truly excels.

Exterior Features

Although the 2011 retains much of the same body shape as previous Land Cruiser models, new headlights, tail lights, grille and rear hatch privacy glass give the model its own distinctive look. The 2011 Land Cruiser comes equipped with 18 inch alloy wheels and a power sunroof. Other exterior features include fog lights, daytime lamps, and rain sensing windshield wipers. Exterior upgrades for the Land Cruiser include a roof rack, rear spoiler and running boards.

Interior Features

The 2011 Land Cruiser has all the bells and whistles associated with luxury vehicles including heated leather front seats and separate climate controls buttons for the two front rows. The vehicle, which offers seating for 8, has a 60/40 split rear seat that folds down for extra storage space. It also has cruise control, power telescopic steering column, and steering wheel mounted audio controls. The Land Cruiser also boasts a JBL music system that features AM/FM radio, a 6 disc changer, and 300 watt speakers. Other interior features include storage of up to 97.5 cubic feet, front and rear door pockets, and a huge glove compartment box. Available interior upgrades include a navigation system with a rear view camera and blue tooth connectivity.
Despite its rugged and impressive capabilities, the 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser boasts an interior that is refreshingly sophisticated and comfortable. The Safety Connect telematics system is sure to be appreciated by drivers of all stripes - simply pressing the SOS button puts help on its way. Twenty-eight air vents ensure that all passengers are comfortable; they are helped along by the four-zone climate control system. Rear privacy glass is included on all models, enhancing the passenger experience, and heated power front seats add a nice dose of luxury.

Safety and Specifications

Safety features for the 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser include anti-lock disc brakes, traction and stability controls, and driver and front seat passenger airbags with dual stage deployment. The front and second row seats feature seat belt height adjusters, emergency fuel shut-off, and outboard locking retractors for the second and third rows. The Land Cruiser also offers accident protection in the form of front and rear crumple zones, side guard door beams and 4-wheel automatic braking system.
A synopsis of the 2011 Toyota Lane Cruiser’s specs is provided below.
  • Car pricing: MSRP $65,970
  • Engine: 5.7-liter, 381-hp, 401 lb-ft of torque V8 engine
  • Transmission: 6 speed automatic with standard overdrive
  • Acceleration: 0-60 mph in fewer than 10 seconds

Upgrade Options

Available upgrades include 19-inch wheels, running boards, roof rack, rear spoiler, navigation system with rear view camera, bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and iPod interface.
How the 2011 Land Cruiser Compares to Other Luxury Sports Utility Vehicles: The Land Cruise can definitely hold its own in the class of luxury SUVs and comes with a cheaper price tag than the similarly situated Range Rover.

Pros

Whether you’re looking for topnotch off-roads capabilities, a luxurious ride or an abundance of high-tech features, the 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser is sure to thrill. Better still, it has a towing capacity of 8,200 pounds, making it extremely useful in a number of situations. Indeed, the 2011 Land Cruiser is a workhorse, a recreational vehicle and a slick city cruiser all rolled into one exciting package. If you have the means to buy it, you will not have any regrets.

Cons

There is one big, glaring con associated with the 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser: its price. Its MSRP starts at $65K; while that includes a whole lot of goodies, that price is still without extra options. Considering the fact that the Land Cruiser boasts the features and capabilities of several cars in one, though, most people who can afford this price range will have no problem with its cost.

Conclusion

Is the 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser a Smart Buy? With comfortable seating for 8 and the ability to cover rough terrain easily, the 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser stands out as a superb luxury sports utility vehicle. For a luxury SUV the Land Cruiser is reasonable priced and because of the great resale value of Toyota’s, owners will easily recoup their investment in this vehicle.

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