Six Months with the Toyota Land Cruiser: Why It Became Top Gear's Favorite SUV

[ultane]

After 2 years of ownership, this is the first vehicle I have owned that I NEVER get tired of driving and have to hold back from making pointless "trips" here and there just to drive it. I could easily rack up the mileage but I try to refrain. It is that fun and easy to drive this LC250.

I concur.

 

[supernova]

Get the windshield tinted, doesnt need to be dark, it makes a big difference with good tint. Helps at night with headlight glare too.

No, I was just wondering if anyone else has noticed it, or if it’s just me. Maybe it’s just 25 years of smoking in my old vehicle that has put a heat-blocking film on the windshield and is protecting me from the sun — something my LC250 does not have.

 

[BoredomFestival]

Yep. After two years and 35k+ miles, I still love this car. I want to drive it till the wheels fall off.

 

[alkioth]

Yep. After two years and 35k+ miles, I still love this car. I want to drive it till the wheels fall off.

One of the biggest surprises was how enjoyable the Land Cruiser was to drive every day. Despite its traditional body-on-frame construction and serious off-road capability, it proved to be quiet, comfortable, and relaxing on long highway trips while remaining exceptionally capable on rough roads and trails.

I sometimes feel guilty for not driving my Camry more I absolutely love my LC!

 

[cvx5832LC]

I sometimes feel guilty for not driving my Camry more I absolutely love my LC!

I sometimes feel this way since I have a dedicated commuter. But damn it feels so good to drive so whatever.

 

[Jack_]

It's an incredibly satisfying vehicle to drive, and that wasn't even something I expected or required. I went into it assuming it would be somewhat harsh and Bronco-like but a worthwhile tradeoff for its capability. Instead, it has continued to impress me with its composure and overall driving experience.

 

[Sugarloafer80]

No, I was just wondering if anyone else has noticed it, or if it’s just me. Maybe it’s just 25 years of smoking in my old vehicle that has put a heat-blocking film on the windshield and is protecting me from the sun — something my LC250 does not have.

Beat me to it. Resin absorbs heat well hehe

I just woke mine back up after a 3 month hiatus. Long and short of it, wife had a hip replaced (thanks Prednsone) and didn't get back to Maine an extra month.
Day 1: Mountain bike loaded in back and off I went to do some downhill riding. took about 1 minute to settle right back in to the LC. PERFECT vehicle for living on side of mountain on dirt roads and having plenty of room to do anything I wish with it
day 2 Kayak loaded on top (yea it is high but will keep me in shape) and drove out of driveway. Hit Rte 27 and set cruise at 65. So smooth and comfortable on the secondary (state) roads....... again I am thinking perfect vehicle for my chosen lifestyle. My beemers would be inappropriate and the new ones basically are butt ugly. I had 3 Range Rovers of different models and I just like the LC better. Everything works first try, including the touch screens when needed. That ship sailed and I learned what too much $$$ was.......This just feels like the kind of vehicle you keep to get you through years and years of conditions, miles, fad changes etc without caring about anything.

 

[TheMightyGoose]

I realized something recently. It is not new thought, but came up in conversation. Not long ago, I was admiring a good friend's brand new 79 series double cap pickup. Sweet looking thing. Sitting inside, it felt like familiar territory; switches, door handles, locks, lockers dial, many other things.... it is all exactly the same as my 30 year old 80 series. As in the exact same hardware....... This is Toyota, nothing new and sexy, no wind tunnel designed interior gadgetry.... Just get you from A to B when there is a whole lot of hate and discontent in-between, then get you back without drama.

Then I think about those who bought a new 250 and cant stand them, sell them fast. I cant help but wonder, did they know what land cruisers are designed for? A lot of disappointment could have been avoided, maybe, with some research. The engine is harsh, loud, I hear noises, rides bad on the road, doesn't do this, doesn't do that, too much gas, hard to get into, etc, etc...... yeah, it's a Land Cruiser. It is not like it is a secret club or cult, Toyota hasn't changed that much in design philosophy.

Anyway, just random thoughts after reading the Top Gear original article.

They wanted it to look like a badass off-roader but drive like a Grand Highlander. They told themselves they wanted to off-road, but deep down they should have known their lifestyle had no need for a purpose-built off road vehicle.

They just wanted to look cool.

Thank God Toyota doesn’t cave to them.

 

[roadventure]

but I do have two homes that are 120 miles and two mountain passes apart where I have to drive in weather conditions often beyond my control.

Are there times when the weather conditions CAN be controlled by you?

 

[Altitude]

Are there times when the weather conditions CAN be controlled by you?

Ha, no. But there are times when I can wait them out and times when I can’t.

 

[Jack_]

Are there times when the weather conditions CAN be controlled by you?

When I'm in the garage and things aren't going my way, I've had outbursts so intense I'm pretty sure I've caused at least three thunderstorms.

 

[fairleighs]

Six Months with the Toyota Land Cruiser: Why It Became Top Gear's Favorite SUV​

After living with the Toyota Land Cruiser for six months and more than 21,000 miles, Top Gear concluded that it is one of the finest vehicles the magazine has tested in decades. Rather than dazzling with speed or luxury, the Land Cruiser won over the editors with its rugged engineering, everyday comfort, and confidence-inspiring reliability.

One of the biggest surprises was how enjoyable the Land Cruiser was to drive every day. Despite its traditional body-on-frame construction and serious off-road capability, it proved to be quiet, comfortable, and relaxing on long highway trips while remaining exceptionally capable on rough roads and trails.

The editors praised Toyota for staying true to the Land Cruiser's heritage. Design cues from the legendary FJ40, including the upright stance, excellent visibility, and simple, functional interior, give the vehicle a timeless character that many modern SUVs have lost.

Reliability was another standout. Throughout six months of use by multiple journalists, the Land Cruiser completed every trip without mechanical issues. The editors also noted Toyota's long-standing commitment to supporting older Land Cruisers with replacement parts, reinforcing the vehicle's reputation for durability and longevity.

The only notable criticism was performance. The European-market 2.8-liter diesel engine isn't especially quick, but the reviewers concluded that outright speed misses the point. The Land Cruiser is designed to take its occupants comfortably and confidently almost anywhere, and it excels at that mission.

Perhaps the strongest endorsement came midway through the test when the lead reviewer wrote that the Land Cruiser was "the finest car I've driven in over 25 years." Even after six months, that opinion hadn't changed. By the end of the evaluation, the editors admitted they would happily own one themselves and found themselves browsing classic Land Cruiser listings after returning the test vehicle.

For anyone looking for an SUV that prioritizes durability, capability, comfort, and long-term ownership satisfaction over flashy technology or sports-car performance, the Toyota Land Cruiser remains one of the automotive world's benchmark vehicles.

Six Months with the Toyota Land Cruiser: Why It Became Top Gear's Favorite SUV​

After living with the Toyota Land Cruiser for six months and more than 21,000 miles, Top Gear concluded that it is one of the finest vehicles the magazine has tested in decades. Rather than dazzling with speed or luxury, the Land Cruiser won over the editors with its rugged engineering, everyday comfort, and confidence-inspiring reliability.

One of the biggest surprises was how enjoyable the Land Cruiser was to drive every day. Despite its traditional body-on-frame construction and serious off-road capability, it proved to be quiet, comfortable, and relaxing on long highway trips while remaining exceptionally capable on rough roads and trails.

The editors praised Toyota for staying true to the Land Cruiser's heritage. Design cues from the legendary FJ40, including the upright stance, excellent visibility, and simple, functional interior, give the vehicle a timeless character that many modern SUVs have lost.

Reliability was another standout. Throughout six months of use by multiple journalists, the Land Cruiser completed every trip without mechanical issues. The editors also noted Toyota's long-standing commitment to supporting older Land Cruisers with replacement parts, reinforcing the vehicle's reputation for durability and longevity.

The only notable criticism was performance. The European-market 2.8-liter diesel engine isn't especially quick, but the reviewers concluded that outright speed misses the point. The Land Cruiser is designed to take its occupants comfortably and confidently almost anywhere, and it excels at that mission.

Perhaps the strongest endorsement came midway through the test when the lead reviewer wrote that the Land Cruiser was "the finest car I've driven in over 25 years." Even after six months, that opinion hadn't changed. By the end of the evaluation, the editors admitted they would happily own one themselves and found themselves browsing classic Land Cruiser listings after returning the test vehicle.

For anyone looking for an SUV that prioritizes durability, capability, comfort, and long-term ownership satisfaction over flashy technology or sports-car performance, the Toyota Land Cruiser remains one of the automotive world's benchmark vehicles.

AI posts should be banned

 

[ultane]

AI posts should be banned

X

 

[RideWithYanu]

Or at least disclosed transparently.

 

[wpage]

Agree, 6 months is not nearly enough time to make judgement calls on this TLC...
It takes about a year to really start to understand and appreciate the features and bennefits of this fine machine.