The 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser is available as a single trim variant only. Consequently, it is loaded to the brim with practical features aimed at easing the experience of the buyers. These include fog lamps, a JBL premium sound system, and four-zone climate control. The base set of features are adequate and overwhelming, but for those who possess an appetite for unprecedented luxury, the big-budget Upgrade Package carries all the bells and whistles.

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With only one trim option on offer, the base variant of the 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser is our only recommendation. Though it carries a premium brand pricing, it tries to justify its position in the market by providing best-in-class features and a brawny V8 engine that can handle off-roads with unparalleled grace.

The engine that sits under the hood of the 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser is an easy-going yet fast-moving 5.7L V8 unit that produces a mammoth 381hp of power and 401lb.-ft of torque. This engine on offer, reeks of both refinement and muscularity. It comes mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift mode and is channeled as a 4WD variant, as standard. Put your foot on the throttle and the SUV clinches to the tarmac, sprinting from 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds and completing a quarter-mile run in 15 seconds, which is similar to the segment standard.

While Land Cruisers are typically curated for the off-roads, they do not compromise on the performance when cruising in the city or on the highway. Uneven road surfaces do not transform into imperfections for the passengers and the SUV’s maneuverability is impressive even when cornering at high speeds, containing the body roll.

While each SUV makes use of a V8 engine, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class bears distinction by being the only 4WD vehicle in the segment. The 2011 Land Cruiser’s mechanical twin, the Lexus LX570, though similar in setup produces the highest power and torque output of 383hp and 403lb.-ft, yet is the slowest in the segment. While the 2011 Range Rover manages similar performance as the Toyota, the Mercedes-Benz is the quickest in the segment taking 6.2 seconds to the 60mph mark from a standstill.

The 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser may not be inefficient as per segment standards, but it is truly a guzzler that will create a little hole in your pocket. The SUV’s efficiency is rated at 13MPG in the city and 18MPG on the highway. Equate its combined efficiency of 15MPG with its fuel tank that can hold 24.6-gallons and it manages to cover a total range of 320 city miles and 443 highway miles.

All of the competitors of the 2011 Land Cruiser, manage to average 14 miles per gallon of fuel. However, with larger fuel tanks that can hold 27.6 and 26.4-gallons, the 2011 Land Rover Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz GL-Class average higher range both in the city and on the highway. The 2011 LX570 that shares its underpinnings with the Toyota is the least impressive option in the aspect.

While on the outside, the 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser may not be the most appealing SUV in comparison, on the inside it’s a true luxury vehicle that replicates its aura from the brand’s luxury division, Lexus. Step inside the cabin through the large opening doors and an air of opulence engulf you. The wooden accents that run throughout the dashboard are the first hint of plushness and the leather-wrapped steering wheel complement well the upmarket feel of the cabin. You get four-zone climate control as standard alongside leather upholstery and rear ventilation ducts for a better experience.

The 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser is a cohesive unification of practicality and comfort. It’s as leisurely at the rear as it is at the front. There is ample space on offer with the first and second row, however, the third row is best suited for kids or can be used to pack extra cargo. While the driver and passenger get multi-level heating and power adjustability, middle-row occupants can recline their seats for enhanced pleasure on long trips. The cargo space of 81.7 cu.-ft, though easy to access and squarish, is lower than its competitors, but only diminutively.

The 2011 Lexus LX570 and Toyota Land Cruiser are the only two SUVs that can seat eight passengers, as standard, while the Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz can accommodate five and seven passengers, respectively. While space upfront is maximum in the Lexus, the third row of the 2011 GL-Class can also fit small adults, making it a practical choice. It also leads the segment in terms of cargo capacity, managing a trunk volume of 83.3 cubic feet.

Some of the salient interior features include:

• 8-way powered driver and passenger seats
• One-touch power windows
• Front and rear door pockets
• Electrochromic rearview mirror
• Dual-illuminating vanity mirrors
• Manual split-folding third-row seats

How intuitive is the infotainment system of the 2011 Land Cruiser?

The 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser comes equipped with an intuitive and easy-to-use infotainment system that does not have a steep learning curve to it. It features a touchscreen unit that sits centrally on the dash and gets surrounded by several knobs for easier control. As standard, it gets AM/FM stereo, satellite radio, and a 605-watt stereo output. However, to get access to the navigation system, rearview camera, and rear-seat entertainment system, one must opt for the Upgrade Package. Some of the highlights of the infotainment system include:

• 14-speaker JBL Premium Sound System
• Diversity Antenna
• USB Connection
• Auxiliary Audio Input
• Rear Volume Controls
• iPod integration

The 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser though brawny and muscular, has lost its evident charm and shine. It now looks old-fangled, giving sharper and sleeker SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class ascendancy in the aspect. While it could use a design change or revamp, even with the dated design, there is a lot to like about the car. The front grille looks as imposing as ever and the boxy design of the SUV allows for it to look domineering.

Like its cabin, the exterior design strategy is also hinted towards luxury. The use of chrome embellishments on the grille and the doors makes it comparable with other luxury SUVs in the segment. The bulky design upfront and a rather upright rear, are typical to the class it belongs but by providing simple and minimalistic LED lights, it looks sublime.

With a ground clearance of 8.9 inches, the Toyota Land Cruiser looks off-road ready. However, it is the smallest in overall dimensions otherwise. It is almost 6 inches shorter than the longest Mercedes-Benz GL-Class that sports a wheelbase of 121.1 inches. In addition, it also is less wide than the Land Rover Range Rover measuring 77.6 inches and while the Lexus LX570 is similar in dimensions in most aspects, it is longer and taller.

Some of the exterior features include:

• Paint Protection Film
• All-season tires
• 20-inch tires
• Body Side Molding
• Hood Protector
• Rear Spoiler (available with Upgrade Package only)

The 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser is tailored made to prioritize passenger’s safety over all other aspects. While the SUV has not been rated by federal agencies yet, its extensive list of active and passive safety features makes it a viable proposition. As standard, it comes equipped with driver and passenger airbags, brake assist, and daytime running lights. The Land Cruiser also uses Toyota’s Safety telematics which increases the SUV’s reliability and dependability quotient. Other safety specifications include:

• Front and rear Ventilated disc Brakes
• Tire-Pressure Monitoring System
• Anti-theft Alarm System
• Engine Immobilizer
• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
• Rearview Camera (available with Upgrade Package only)

The 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser is multi-faceted and can switch up driving dynamics easily. It’s a serious performer that can handle uneven terrains as easily as smooth and unwinding highway stretches. It features a potent V8 engine that possesses an engaging quality and delivers blistering performance. Though less frugal, it is better than all of its competitors and sports an upmarket cabin that is filled with class-defining features. Its cargo and towing capacity are praiseworthy and its infotainment and safety system are comprehensive. The only visible drawback of the Land Cruiser is its exterior design, but those fans of classic old-school muscular and boxy SUVs will find it appealing.