2020 Toyota Land Cruiser

There is only one engine option on offer for both trims. Toyota has blessed the Land Cruiser with a massive 5.7L V8 engine that packs in quite a lot of punch, 381 horses to be precise. The V8 engine transmits power to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission and to top it all, it also has a tremendous towing capacity of 8100 pounds. Strictly utilitarian, the Land Cruiser isn't very pleasing to look at when compared to its rivals like the Lincoln Navigator. But the Land Cruiser has an upper hand with its generous pricing that sets it apart from the segment. . Let's find out how it stacks up against the competition.

The Toyota Land Cruiser has always kept itself simple and classy with fully loaded base trim. However, For 2020, it is offered in two different trims. The majority of the features are available as standard and the only thing that is available as optional comprises a rear-seat entertainment system with dual display screens that would cost you an additional $2,220. The SUV is packed with a  lot of features even in the base trim. However, there are some additional packages and important features that would amplify the overall experience of the car. Some of the features include Wireless headphones, an All-Weather Floor Liner/Mat Package, Preferred Accessory Package. Apart from that, the Toyota also offers some interesting colors for the 2020 Land Cruiser which include Blue Onyx Pearl, Midnight Black, Blizzard pearl, etc. 

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As you can see, the 2020 Land Cruiser is available with two base trim and the trim that has more value for its price is the base trim. Although the Heritage trim throws in some distinctive exterior features, the base variant is already loaded with hefty features. However, you may add a rear-seat entertainment system as an option. As standard, you get features like Kinetic dynamic suspension, Power sunroof, semi-aniline perforated leather-trimmed seating surfaces, 10-way power driver seat, Enhanced Multi-terrain Monitor with selectable front, side, or rear views, and a lot more features on offer.

“A fully independent suspension permits the generous wheel articulation required for crawling over rocks and logs, yet also endows the Land Cruiser with a stable but somewhat firm on-road driving experience.” – Kelley Blue Book

SUVs of this price bracket usually get a V8 or V6 motor as their power unit. Powering the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser is a 5.7-liter V-8 engine that churns out a maximum power of 381 hp and 401 pound-feet of torque. The engine sends power through an eight-speed automatic transmission and the power is sent to all the wheels offering impeccable off-roading capabilities rather than offering punchy performance.

Land Cruiser's old-school body design gets a hydraulic suspension system that prevents it from leaning too much into corners or driving through bumpy terrain. The standard four-wheel drive and the traction control system are capable of taking you to any terrain. Speaking of performance Weighing around 5800 pounds, the Land Cruiser accelerates quickly with the V8 under the hood. The bulky SUV manages to sprint 0-to-60 mph in 6.8 seconds and covers a quarter-mile run in 15.1 seconds

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator is the most powerful  SUV in the competition. The Lexus LX 570 shares its powertrain with its Slightly cheaper sibling, the Toyota Land Cruiser but the Lexus LX570 makes 2 more horses putting out 383 hp and 403 lb-ft of torque, and is slightly slower than the Toyota by half a second. The Land Rover Range Rover on the other hand generates the least power output of 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque which is more likely to be quite slower than the other SUVs in the segment. You do not often say that 340 horsepower is less but in this case,  it certainly is.

Braking and Handling

The Land Cruiser is an ultimate off-roader for sure. The SUV doesn’t ever compromise on the overall performance when it comes to off-roading. The ride quality offered by the SUV is smooth on uneven pavements. It is stable around the corners despite its big size and heavyweight. The brakes offer powerful grip and come to a halt at 121 feet. However, we feel that the carmaker should work on making the brake pedal a bit softer.

On the front, it gets a 13.9 inches rotor and a 13.6 inches rotor in the rear and comes equipped with some modern technology and features for enhanced braking. When it comes to braking performance, the Toyota manages to stop from 60-0 mph in 121 feet.

The fuel economy offered by the 2020 Land Cruiser is not bad, after looking into the comparison chart. The SUV returns 13 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. It is one of the least fuel efficient vehicles in the segment considering its weight and performing engine. Other contenders offers a bit better fuel economy in this regard.

“The large door openings and chunky grab handles help people climb in and out, and they'll find lots of space once they're inside. The controls are easy to understand, but the centrally located touchscreen may require a reach.” - Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

The SUV is surprisingly comfortable and quiet if you take it for a spin on normal road condition. The best part is the interior spacing between the seat rows. There’s ample room for both short and tall passengers. There’s absolutely no hassle in getting in or out of the car. The adjustable front seats is a bliss for the driver as it provides a best forward view of the road.

Infotainment System

The infotainment comprises of a large 9-inch touchscreen that comes with in-built split screen feature. The graphics are sharp for all side visibility. It holds three buttons that work as physical controls. The standard features include:

• A 14-speaker audio system
• Navigation
• Satellite radio
• A USB port
• Bluetooth
• Wireless charging
• A rear-seat dual-screen DVD entertainment system (Optional)

Cargo volume

2020 Land Cruiser offers 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which is lease than the Navigator and Range Rover. Comparatively, the Land Rover Range Rover tops the list in terms of the cargo area.

“The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser has more curves and chrome than some ‘50s Detroit iron.” –thecarconnection

Dimension and Weight

The Land Cruiser looks pretty as always. The design looks upmarket and classy. The tailgate is power-operated and offers a clamshell design layout. The SUV offer long stance along with good ground clearance. It is one of the heaviest SUVs available in the segment right now. The Lexus LX 570 is class-leading in terms of overall weight and performance.

Both the NHTSA or IIHS have not to crash-tested the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser and we will update the rating once it arrives. Meanwhile, on the reliability front, the Toyota has covered the 2020 Land Cruiser with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Safety features

Standard Safety features for 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser include:

• Driver and front passenger active headrests
• Driver and front passenger Active Seatbelt Pretensioning System with force limiters
• 3-point seatbelts for all seating positions; driver-side Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) and Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) on all passenger belts
• Adjustable front- and second-row outboard seatbelt anchors
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) includes lower anchors on outboard second-row seats and tether anchors on all second-row seats
• Hill Start Assist Control (HAC)
• Anti-theft system with engine immobilizer
• ToyotaCare (featuring a no cost maintenance plan with roadside assistance)

Toyota Land Cruiser Vs Lincoln Navigator

The Lincoln Navigator is slated high in the full-size luxury SUV segment. The V-6 engine churns out more horsepower than most in the segment and it also has the highest towing capacity. The Navigator also provides more space in all the three rows than the Toyota Land Cruiser. The Navigator costs $10,000 less than its Toyota rivals but it is not an off-roader. If you seek adventure, go with the Land Cruiser otherwise the Lincoln is a better pick.

Toyota Land Cruiser Vs Lexus LX 570

The Lexus LX takes many cues from the Land Cruiser, since coming out of a sole parent company. Though the LX costs a few thousand dollars more and we know the reason. There is a single trim available in both these SUVs but there’s an array of standard features. The cargo capacity and mileage are similar as well. The only thing that differentiated them is the interior. Lexus provides a more lavish and comfortable cabin compared to its elder cousin. However, Toyota Land Cruiser turns out to be a more capable SUV with higher towing capacity and impressive off-roading ability.

Toyota Land Cruiser Vs Land Rover Range Rover

Land Rover offers seating for five and you might not spend extra to get the third row. On the othr hand, the Toyota Land Cruiser holds a seating capacity for eight passengers. Apart from the seating configuration, the Land Rover leads in multiple areas. It offers a fairly low starting price and the towing capacity is also more than the Land Cruiser. It also offers better fuel economy and upmarket cabin. Overall, the Land Rover is a better deal available at a lower price.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser is a popular and highly capable off-roading SUV in the market. Toyota has been known for keeping things simple and not adding layers of the optional package. The Land Cruiser already gets featured with advanced techs and features. It offers a robust V-8 engine and nimble handling despite its size. The SUV is somehow marred by its fuel economy as it drinks fuel like no other vehicle and is marked as one of the least fuel-efficient vehicles in the class. The Land Rover Range Rover here makes a great choice as it offers similar off-roading capability and slightly better fuel economy.