When 13 Toyota LandCruisers were imported to Australia in 1958 to serve as workhorses on the Snowy Hydro Scheme and various mining and construction projects, the off-roader's reputation for robustness and ruggedness was born.
Today, it's still considered by many to be the 4WD benchmark, despite the latest-generation LandCruiser - the 200 series - having been on sale since 2007.
Its mighty size allows it to carry vast amounts of cargo or up to eight people in GXL, VX or flagship Sahara form. Performance comes from a choice of V8s - the more powerful 4.6-litre petrol or more fuel efficient and torquier 4.5-litre turbo diesel.
Pros
Cons
Supreme off-road ability; comfortable on the road
Vast dealer network great for spares throughout Australia
Effortless, refined V8 turbo diesel
Cavernous cabin; most versions seat up to eight people
Huge size can make it feel cumbersome in cities/towns
Expensive pricing, with top-spec Sahara above $100K
Thirsty petrol V8
200-series getting old, having launched in 2007
This is general information and should not be relied on as purchasing advice.
