The 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser is out for sale with no major changes at $84,315. The 381 horsepower from the 5.8L V8 engine hurdles this nearly 6,000-pound SUV from 0-60 MPH in just 6.7 seconds, which is really impressive. It also has a towing capacity of 8,100 pounds and is a capable off-roader in its segment but is a fuel-sipper.
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser three-quarter view
The Land Cruiser's interior is feature-filled and boasts high-quality materials. Although it doesn't offer some latest features, there is still a lot available in its cabin. It lacks safety ratings but Toyota's Safety Sense-P is standard on the Land Cruiser. The Land Cruiser goes against the Lexus LX 570, the Lincoln Navigator, and the Cadillac Escalade.
The Toyota Land Cruiser remains a brilliant choice for the adventurer- Carbuzz
In an era of roomy, efficient crossovers, there's still a place for a big, thirsty, expensive SUV like the Toyota Land Cruiser. The reason being it is known for its extreme go-anywhere abilities all over the globe but here in the U.S., it is also known for its ability to do so in total luxury. Very few vehicles have this kind of formula. This helps it to stand out in its segment.
Compared to many new large SUVs, the Land Cruiser is an expensive vehicle to own. It costs close to $16,580 every year for its fuel, repair, depreciation, maintenance, etc. Due to its poor fuel economy, the average cost per mile goes up to $1.1. Although the reliability ratings are not available, the Land Cruiser, like many Toyotas, have great resale values
Features
7.0/10
Though there’s little way to personalize your 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser, it is well-equipped for on- and off-road use- The Car Connection
The Toyota Land Cruiser is just a single trim that has a starting price of $84,565, excluding a destination charge of $1,295. It is the most expensive vehicle in the Toyota lineup. For similar money, there are a lot of options but the Land Cruiser seems a good deal for the off-road capabilities it offers.
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser front angle view
Even though the Land Cruiser is an old-school SUV, it comes loaded with plenty of comfort and technological features, which is really good. However, for the price you pay, it still falls a bit behind modern SUVs in terms of the latest features. The only options available for this SUV are all-weather floor liners for $323 and a cargo net for $69.
Trim
Land Cruiser
MSRP (4WD)
$84,565
Key Features
Four-zone automatic climate control
Ambient lighting
Power front seats with heated & ventilated functions
Heated second-row seats
Semi-aniline leather seats
Power liftgate
9-inch touchscreen display
14-speaker JBL audio system
Wireless display
Dual 11.9-inch rear-seat entertainment system
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Toyota made this pretty easy as the Land Cruiser is available in just one trim. Moreover, there aren't any optional packages available as well as the Land Cruiser comes packed with all the possible comfort and technological features. If you want a family hauler with extraordinary off-road abilities and great towing capacity, go for the Land Cruiser.
The Land Cruiser SUV is one of the most capable vehicles on the planet- Kelly Blue Book
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Engine and Transmission
Toyota keeps things simple when it comes to powertrain and not a lot has changed. The Land Cruiser continues to get a 5.7L V8 engine that develops 381 hp and 401 lb-ft. of torque. Power is sent to the wheels through 8-speed automatic transmission. As you'd expect you get a full-time 4WD system and a Torsen limited-slip rear differential.
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser engine
This system sends 60 percent of power to the rear wheels and 40 percent to the front but it does change the torque distribution to the individual wheel as needed. As a proper off-roader, it comes with a two-speed transfer case with a whole set of low gears much like other modern trucks. It also offers selectable off-road programs designed to suit your environment.
Models
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser
2018 Cadillac Escalade
2018 Lexus LX 570
2018 Lincoln Navigator
MSRP
$84,565
$74,695
$90,630
$72,555
Engine
5.7L V8
6.2L V8
5.7L V8
3.5L Twin-Turbo V6
Drivetrain
4WD
RWD
4WD
RWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
10-Speed Automatic
8-Speed Automatic
10-Speed Automatic
Power
381 hp @ 5,600 RPM
420 hp @ 5,600 RPM
383 hp @ 5,600 RPM
450 hp @ 5,500 RPM
Torque
401 lb-ft. @ 3,600 RPM
460 lb-ft. @ 4,100 RPM
403 lb-ft. @ 3,600 RPM
510 lb-ft. @ 3,000 RPM
The Lincoln Navigator makes 69 horses more than the Land Cruiser and moreover, it is cheaper as well. Even the Cadillac Escalade is more powerful but they are not true off-roaders like the Land Cruiser. The Lexus LX 570 houses the same engine as the Land Cruiser are they are closely related.
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Acceleration
The Land Cruiser is heavy and big. It weighs 5,815 pounds and in spite of that chunky impediment, it is shockingly quick. It accelerates from 0-60 MPH in 6.7 seconds, which is really amazing. The quarter of a mile is covered in 15.1 seconds before it hits a top speed of 114 MPH. But of course, the Land Cruiser is not a choice of vehicle for agility.
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser takes 6.7 sec to reach 60 MPH
The engine has a good punch. Throw your foot down on the throttle and it moves smoothly and effortlessly while the V8 adds a raspy note to it. The gearbox shifts quickly and precisely and provides you with the right gears, depending on the driving conditions. The Land Cruiser is not fast but you won't find trouble while merging on a freeway or overtaking vehicles.
Models
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser
2018 Cadillac Escalade
2018 Lexus LX 570
2018 Lincoln Navigator
0-60 MPH
6.7 sec
5.5 sec
7.1 sec
5.9 sec
Quarter Mile
15.1 sec
14.0 sec
15.3 sec
14.9 sec
Engine
5.7L
6.2L
5.7L
3.5L
Top Speed
114 MPH
115 MPH
114 MPH
115 MPH
Despite making less power, the Cadillac Escalade manages to finish both performance tests much quicker than the Lincoln Navigator while the latter hangs at its tail. Due to few extra pounds, the Lexus LX 570 fails to keep up with the Land Cruiser in terms of performance and comes in last.
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Ride and Handling
When it comes to on-road manners, there's no denying that the Toyota Land Cruiser is a truck. When the road starts getting choppy, the suspension kind of gets wobbly and you feel those bumps reverberating through the chassis. But, overall the ride is plush and delightful. The steering may be heavy due to obvious reasons. Around the corners, the Land Cruiser feels very heavy due to its sheer size and there is also a lot of body roll. The Land Cruiser is a serious off-roader and it offers a few off-road techs to make your off-roading easier.
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser driving view
The multi-terrain system alters ABS intervention to allow the right amount of wheel slippage for a variety of surfaces. While in low range, moving forward or backward, the crawl control automatically manages vehicle speed thereby freeing the driver to focus on where exactly they'd like to crawl. The off-road turn assist brakes the inside rear wheel to help the vehicle turn more tightly in narrow confines. The kinetic dynamic suspension system hydraulically adjusts the front and rear stabilization bar resistance helping the tires on the ground during gnarly off-roading.
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Braking
Toyota has done a wonderful job in tuning the brakes of the Land Cruiser. The brakes in the Land cruiser include 13.9-inch in the front and 13.5-inch at the back, both ventilated discs. This 5,815-pound SUV decelerates from 60-0 MPH in just 121 feet. That's a mind-blowing braking distance that many modern SUVs fail to achieve.
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser brakes
The brakes are very powerful and they successfully apply appropriate braking pressure to the wheels. However, the pedal travel distance is quite long in this vehicle. You need to floor the pedal to get the brakes working. Also, there is a lot of nose-dive under hard braking. Nevertheless, these brakes are great and dose their job perfectly.
Models
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser
2018 Cadillac Escalade
2018 Lexus LX 570
2018 Lincoln Navigator
Brake Front
13.9 in
13.0 in
13.9 in
13.8 in
Brake Rear
13.5 in
13.6 in
13.5 in
13.8 in
Curb Weight
5,815 lbs
5,578 lbs
6,000 lbs
5,673 lbs
60-0 MPH
121 ft.
133 ft.
118 ft.
132 ft.
The Lexus LX 570 amazes with its braking abilities despite weighing 6,000 pounds while the second place is conquered by the Land Cruiser. The Lincoln Navigator and the Cadillac Escalade stand on the same level in terms of braking performance and their braking distances are longer than the Land Cruiser.
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Towing Capacity
The towing capacity of the Toyota Land Cruiser is rated at 8,100 pounds. It is behind the competition but still that's good for a large SUV. You can still tow a camper van or ATVs or more than one boat. If you are planning for a long interstate trip, the Land Cruiser is a perfect choice for such trips.
Models
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser
2018 Cadillac Escalade
2018 Lexus LX 570
2018 Lincoln Navigator
Towing Capacity
8,100 lbs
8,300 lbs
7,000 lbs
8,700 lbs
The Lincoln Navigator dominates this area with its extraordinary towing capacity of 8,700 pounds. The towing capacity of the Cadillac Escalade is slightly more than the Land Cruiser but that won't create much difference. On the other hand, the Lexus LX 570 has the lowest towing capacity for a large SUV.
If sipping less gas is your goal, the 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser isn’t right for you- The Car Connection
Cramming a robust V8 inside a heavy body-on-frame SUV results in less than stellar fuel economy. The EPA-estimated fuel ratings are 13 MPG in the city, 18 MPG on a highway, and 15 MPG combined. Keep in mind that the Land Cruiser comes standard with a full-time 4WD system. These fuel ratings trail the class.
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser front angle view
A 24.6-gallon fuel tank is fitted in the Land Cruiser and requires regular gas. It can deliver up to 381 miles in mixed proportions, which is really less for a large SUV. The city and highway ranges include 320 and 443 miles, respectively. Therefore, get ready to dig a hole in your wallet as you may have to visit gas stations regularly.
Models
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser
2018 Cadillac Escalade
2018 Lexus LX 570
2018 Lincoln Navigator
MPG (City)
13
14
13
16
MPG (Highway)
18
23
18
23
MPG (Combined)
15
17
15
19
Fuel Tank Capacity (Gallon)
24.6
26.0
24.6
23.0
Range (City/Highway/Combined; Miles)
320/443/381
364/598/481
320/443/381
368/529/448
For a large SUV that makes 450 horsepower, the Lincoln Navigator has the best fuel estimates in this segment. The gas mileage of the Cadillac Escalade is better than the Land Cruiser. Housing the same engine, the MPG figures of the Lexus LX 570 and Land Cruiser are equal. However, fuel economy might not be a concern for someone who can buy an 84 grand SUV.
Inside, there's the ambiance of old-world opulence- Left Lane News
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Seating and Comfort
The cabin of the Toyota Land Cruiser is totally luxurious with a pleasing fit and finish. The seats are treated with semi-aniline leather, the same leather you're going to find in a Lexus LS sedan. The front seats are perfectly comfy with good bolstering. The seating position is so high that you feel like you're sitting in a truck. Both the front seats can be adjusted electronically and are heated and ventilated.
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser dashboard
The steering wheel is power-adjustable, so it's easy to find a comfortable driving position. The second-row seats offer abundant passenger space and feature a flat floor, goof for the middle-seat passenger. These seats can be slid fore and aft as well as recline. Even here, the seats are soft, cushy, and heated, just like the front ones. Move to the third row and if you are an adult, you'll probably feel a bit cramped.
Models
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser
2018 Cadillac Escalade
2018 Lexus LX 570
2018 Lincoln Navigator
Passenger Capacity
8
7
8
7
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
38.3/61.0/42.9
42.8/64.9/45.3
38.3/61.0/42.9
41.8/65.2/43.9
Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
38.9/61.1/34.4
38.7/64.4/39.0
38.9/59.1/34.4
40.0/65.1/41.5
Third Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
35.8/62.3/28.3
38.1/62.6/24.8
35.8/62.3/28.3
37.3/64.2/40.9
The Lincoln Navigator offers the best passenger space in all three rows but it can seat only seven passengers. The Cadillac Escalade is also a seven-seater SUV but its third row is smaller than the Escalade. Built on the same platform, the Lexus LX 570's interior space is equal to the Land Cruiser.
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Infotainment System
A 9-inch touchscreen dominates the dashboard that functions on Entune infotainment system. The graphics are good but the screen takes time to respond. It gets Entune App suite which runs through your phone but as far as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are concerned, they are not available. Below the screen, you will see a CD player, which is very rare in modern vehicles. The Land Cruiser gets an old-style navigation system which means over-the-air updates and live traffic are not available.
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser infotainment system
The Land Cruiser gets a standard rear-seat entertainment system which includes dual 11.6-inch screens for entertaining the rear passengers. You also get a 14-speaker JBL premium audio system and the sound quality of this system is top-notch. There are audio, climate and off-road controls laid down below the screen and around the gear shifter. The instrument cluster has two big dials, four separate gauges out on the outskirts, and in the middle is a 4.2-inch multi-function display that can be controlled using the steering wheel buttons.
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Interior Features
Some main cabin highlights of the Land Cruiser are mentioned below:
Power tilt & telescopic multi-function steering leather heated wheel
Four-zone automatic climate control
Moonroof
Ambient lighting
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Refrigerated storage
Power liftgate
Power front seats with heated & ventilated functions
9-inch touchscreen display
14-speaker JBL audio system
Wireless charging
Rear-seat entertainment system
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Cargo Capacity
The Toyota Land Cruiser offers decent cargo capacity for its size. You get 16.1 cubic feet behind the third-row seats. The Land Cruiser is old-school and unlike any modern SUV, the third-row seats do not fold flat. Instead, they flip up and they are not power-folding as you would find in the LX 570. On flipping the third-row seats, the space expands to 43 cubic feet.
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser cargo space
Maximum cargo space of 81.7 cubic feet is available if the second-row seats are folded. The second-row seats fold flat, which allows storing larger items. A power tailgate is standard on the Land Cruiser. Once in action, you are going to notice a two-part tailgate design, a signature for the Land Cruiser. The liftover height is high but the flat loading lip helps to loads items into the trunk easily.
Models
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser
2018 Cadillac Escalade
2018 Lexus LX 570
2018 Lincoln Navigator
Cargo Space (cu-ft.)
16.1
15.2
9.1
19.3
The Lincoln Navigator offers class-leading cargo capacity in this segment. The cargo space of the Cadillac Escalade is slightly more than the Land Cruiser. The Lexus LX 570's cargo space is nearly half of what the Land Cruiser offers. Therefore, it is kind of disappointing for a large SUV.
The exterior reflects the Land Cruiser’s purpose in life, that is, to be ruggedly dependable in any weather, over any terrain- Kelly Blue Book
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Dimension and Weight
The Toyota Land Cruiser is not the kind of vehicle that gets redesigned frequently. The last time it was refreshed was 2016 and since then nothing has changed. It still has the same burly look with a large chrome grille that extends into the chunky LED headlights. Headlamp washers are also included and so are LED fog lights at the bottom. As for ground clearance, you get 8.9 inches. You also have excellent approach and departure angles of 32 and 24 respectively.
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser three-quarter view
Moving to the wheels, the Land Cruiser gets just 18-inch high gloss alloy wheels. They are wrapped on snow and mud-rated all-terrain tires. As far as the rest of the styling, it continues to be as subdued as something this big can be. At the back, Toyota keeps things simple with a small piece of chrome across the back and large taillights clusters. Overall, the Land Cruiser is a handsome-looking traditional SUV that certainly appeals to a different crowd than its sibling, the Lexus LX.
Models
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser
2018 Cadillac Escalade
2018 Lexus LX 570
2018 Lincoln Navigator
Curb Weight (lbs)
5,815
5,578
6,000
5,673
Length (in)
194.9
203.9
200.0
210.0
Width (in)
78.0
80.5
78.0
83.6
Height (in)
74.0
74.4
75.2
76.4
Ground Clearance (in)
8.9
8.0
8.9
9.7
Wheelbase (in)
112.2
116.0
112.2
122.5
Track Width (in) F/R
64.9/64.74
68.7/68.7
64.8/64.6
67/67.2
The Lincoln Navigator has the highest ground clearance in this segment. It measures 0.8 inches higher than the Land Cruiser but it is not as a capable off-roader as the Land Cruiser. At 6,000 pounds, the Lexus LX 570 is the heaviest vehicle in this segment and that affects its on-road performance. The Cadillac Escalade's wide wheelbase translates for good legroom in the first two rows.
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Exterior Features
Some main noticeable exterior features of the Land Cruiser are:
Toyota Safety Sense-P is standard on all 2018 Land Cruisers- MotorTrend
Neither of the safety agencies (NHTSA and IIHS) has crash-tested the Toyota Land Cruiser for the sake of safety ratings due to its high-end price tag. Therefore, safety ratings are not available. However, that's not much of a concern as the SUV packs enough safety features to keep its passengers safe at all times.
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser front driving view
On that note, the Land Cruiser gets 10 airbags installed in its cabin. These include dual front, front side, side curtain (including the second row), and knee airbags. Toyota also offers all the latest safety technologies as standard in the Land Cruiser. All the available driver aids in the Land Cruiser are listed below:
The Lexus LX 570 and the Land Cruiser are built on the same platform and house the same engine. Therefore, its fuel economy, driving behavior, interior dimensions, and cargo capacity are similar to the Land Cruiser. Both the SUVs also have outstanding off-road abilities. But, the LX 570's cabin is more luxurious inside. However, the Land Cruiser benefits from low ownership costs and better cargo and towing capacity.
2018 Lexus LX 570
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2018 Cadillac Escalade
With a difference of at least $10,000, the Cadillac Escalade offers swift acceleration despite its heavy curb weight and its MPG figures are also better than the Land Cruiser. The Escalade's cabin is handsome and luxurious but its infotainment system isn't straightforward as the Land Cruiser. Also, its third-row feels cramped and unsuitable for adults. The Escalade has earned decent safety ratings but most of its safety techs are optional.
2018 Cadillac Escalade
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2018 Lincoln Navigator
The Lincoln Navigator is the cheapest option in this competition. It houses the most powerful engine and also has a class-leading towing capacity. However, the latter is the sole choice for off-roading purposes. The Navigator also has the best fuel economy for a large SUV and its interior feels roomier and luxurious than the Land Cruiser. It is also the most practical SUV but most of its driver aids are optional.
2018 Lincoln Navigator
Final Verdict
Packed with creature comforts and the latest off-road technology, the 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser is a true example of a brand that is honoring its roots. But let's be honest, this isn't the next evolution of automobiles and it's not a part of a growing trend. Drive the Land Cruiser, especially off-road and there is a lot to like. It's a capable and accommodating SUV but it is not a value. Provided that you are wealthy enough that value doesn't matter, the Land Cruiser should make you very happy.
