Dynamic Suspension System uses hydraulic pressure between opposed

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Were not just talking electronic stability control (ESC), or HillDescent Control. Those are both standard on the Land Cruiser, alongwith Hill Start Assist, to increase stability on steep ascents,along with A-TRAC active traction control, which aids stability onlow-traction surfaces. The real news is a feature called CrawlControl, which can actually make an inexperienced off-road driverlook like a pro.

Sort of like a cruise control for low-speed off-roading ontreacherous terrain  and sounding like what you really wish youcould get for your toddler  Crawl Control keeps a very low vehiclespeed, maintaining precious momentum and traction in a delicateway, through the throttle, brakes, and traction control, that fewexperienced off-road drivers could replicate. There are three speedmodes, 1 km/h, 3 km/h, and 5 km/h (about 3.2 mph), accessed througha center-console switch. Crawl Control only operates in low rangeand can only be engaged when the vehicle is stopped.

A new Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) is also now adoptedfor all Land Cruisers. The system isnt electronically controlled;it instead uses hydraulic pressure between opposed reservoirsfront-to-back, which function together, cleverly, as astabilizer-bar system when front and rear pressure is similar buteffectively detaching the stabilizer bar when wheel movementvaries, allowing more wheel articulation and a smooth ride.

Steering has been improved as well. Its a hydraulic power-assistedrack-and-pinion system thats mechanically variable, and the systemis cooled via an oil cooler and cooling fins. Ventilated discbrakes are used on all four wheels, and the fronts use four-pistoncalipers.

The transfer case thats included in all Land Cruisers is much likethe one in the previous-generation vehicle. It provides a high orlow range, with a Torsen center differential, and the centerdifferential can be locked in either range. The diff lock can onlybe engaged from a stop, but high-low shifting is possible up to 62mph. On road, the system defaults to a torque split that sendsabout 59 percent to the rear wheels, but that ratio can vary from50 to 70 percent depending on slip.

The Land Cruisers key off-road specs, including approach,departure, and breakover angles, along with ground clearance, arealso essentially unchanged compared with the outgoing model. Theapproach angle is especially impressive, at 30 degrees.

The Land Cruisers body-on-frame construction is also tougher thanever; it employs a fully boxed frame with eight cross members, someof them using hydroformed steel, for increased resistance totwisting and flexing. The rear suspension remains a four-linkcoil-spring setup, with solid axle and Panhard rod  allowing 9.45inches of suspension travel; in front, Toyota foregoes the previous torsion-bar design  which was prone todamage in off-roading  in favor of a new coil-over shock anddouble A-arm design.




Crawl control in Big Sky

In Montanas Big Sky region, where we tested the Land Cruiser aspart of a Toyota-sponsored press event, the automaker has set upone of the most technically demanding off-road courses weve everexperienced, with some boulder-clambering, deep trenches thatbrought wheel-articulation extremes, and situations so off-kilterthat we teetered on two wheels  with nary a groan from the body.

At one time, we were left to descend a steep slope of looseboulders, with the rain starting to fall. We wondered at one timeif wed gotten ourselves in too precarious of a situation, but aswe took shallow breaths the Crawl Control system didnt flinch,operating the stability control system and anti-lock brakes  itssound oddly percussive  getting us securely through. Miraculously,the system feathered the brakes on each wheel, allowing some slipon the rocks but not too much so as to compromise stability. Ittook a lot of faith in the system, as if wed fishtailed even theslightest, a rollover would likely have been the outcome.

One of the hardest parts about using Crawl Control is that you haveto suppress conventional wisdom and keep your foot off the brakeand accelerator pedals. Youre still responsible for steering, butas we experienced the system we thought that youre actually lesslikely to get into trouble with it; as the system was maintainingmomentum and traction, we were able to focus more on taking theright path. Tap the brake pedal or bring the speed above about 6mph, and the system disengages.

When off-roading, the Land Cruisers firm ride can be jarring, yetthe suspension has very impressive articulation when needed. Thesteering rack also feels very stout, with none of the shudder ornoise that many of the newer car-based SUVs make. While, frankly, some of the crossovers were encouraged totake off-road feel close to being totaled after being pushed to theouter range of their ability, the Land Cruiser we drove on thecourse felt like it could do it again and again for years.




A top engine, finally

The other big news for this year is the powertrain. After years ofbeing saddled with a 4.7-liter V-8 that was smooth and refined but,despite recent power bumps, didnt give the Land Cruiser enoughreal-world torque to move its nearly 5500 pounds quickly, theCruiser now gets the Tundras top engine, a 5.7-liter V-8 making381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. Despite the healthybump in power, Toyota says that the new 5.7 gets better mileage  at 13 city, 18 highway than the 4.7-liter did when converted to the new 2008 standards.It also passed ULEV-II standards.

Mated to the 5.7-liter engine is a six-speed automatic transmissionwith variable torque-converter control and improved engine brakingresponse versus the previous Land Cruiser. Curiously, the increaseddownshifting not only helps throttle response and safety, but italso aids fuel economy by helping to keep the fuel injectors shutoff.

The 5.7-liters character suits the Land Cruiser well; theresplenty of torque for easygoing part-throttle acceleration, rapidpassing, and yet the throttle is linear enough so that its easy tomodulate when creeping ahead just off idle. Even on ourhigh-altitude driving route, we found plenty of pep, and thetransmission shifted smoothly and confidently.

On road, the HDSS system helps the Land Cruiser corner flat,increasing its stability especially in the sweeping mid-speedcanyon curves we encountered on a driving route in the vicinity of Yellowstone National Park . The suspension was hardly absorbent; its quite a bit firmer thanthat of the Range Rover , but the benefit is more precise handling, especially at highspeed. Furthermore, wind and road noise are remarkably absent,despite the big, boxy side mirrors. With its burly powertrain,sturdy hardware, and good roadholding, we imagine the Land Cruiserwill be well suited to towing as well. Its rated to tow up to 8500pounds.

The Land Cruiser gets seating for eight in three rows; the50/50-split third-row seats easily fold and swing around to theside, while the 40/20/40-split second row folds and tumblesforward. The seat leather is sturdy and looks like it will wearwell, but its not at all plush, and while heated seats arestandard in front and available for the second row theres nocooled or ventilated-seat option, unlike in the Land Cruisers Lexus sibling, which will be called the LX570.

Those prioritizing safety will be pleased to know that the LandCruiser has the most airbags of any current Toyota model. There are knee bags and frontal bags for driver and frontpassenger, side thorax bags for the first two rows, androll-sensing side-curtain bags for all three rows.




Far from plush

While the Land Cruiser pulls out all the stops in terms of off-roadability, safety, and solid truck duty, it doesnt do so for itsinterior, which is nicely appointed but not especially fashionableor luxurious  sort of in the same way that the Avalon compares toother luxury cars. Positively, its laid out quite simply andshould stand up nicely to off-road knocks, with no major rattlesand no especially delicate breakables.

Several features are unusual within its class, though, including apowerful four-zone climate control system (a boon for the modelsMiddle East and North African customers& Texas , too) and variable-speed power window controllers. All the usualpremium SUV features are either standard or available, including asonar backup aid and rearview monitor; pre-collision system;navigation system; rear-seat entertainment system; Smart Key entry and ignition; remote start; satellite radio; and a605-watt, 14-speaker JBL audio system. A cooler box is alsoavailable for the center console.

The Land Cruiser will start at a MSRP of $63,200, and Toyota Motor Sales anticipates that a fully loaded one will come in atjust under $70,000. Thats a significant price jump from the 2007model, but it does have increased standard equipment, the trickCrawl Control system, and more power and torque to offset thesticker shock.

The only lingering question now is, why not get the Lexus version, the LX570, which expected soon? Its anticipated that theLX570 will have much of the same hardware, with a more lavishinterior and more standard luxury features. Plus you get the farsuperior Lexus dealership experience.

Toyota says that the type of customer is entirely different, with theLand Cruiser tending more toward the gearhead adventurer crowd andthe Lexus bringing the running-board-and-flashy-wheels crowd, but among theformer, how many do you know who can afford one new?

That aside, we can say for certain, for those who can afford it,that the built-to-last Land Cruiser really feels worth it.


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2008 Toyota Land Cruiser
Base price: $63,200; est. $68,000 as tested
Engine: 5.7-liter V-8, 381 hp/401 lb-ft
Drivetrain: Six-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive
Length x width x height: 194.9 x 77.6 x 74.0 in
Wheelbase: 112.2 in
Curb weight: 5690 lb
Fuel economy (EPA city/hwy): 13/18 mpg
Safety equipment: Electronic stability control, active traction control, CrawlControl with Downhill Assist Control (DAC), and Hill Start Assist;driver and front passenger active front headrests; driver and frontpassenger knee bags, first and second-row outboard thorax sideairbags, three-row roll-sensing side-curtain airbags; multi-terrainanti-lock braking with Electronic Brake-force Distribution andBrake Assist, Intuitive Parking Assist
Major standard equipment: Automatic climate control with independent rear system; powerheated front seats; leather-trimmed upholstery; running boards; foglamps; moonroof; Smart Key system; garage door opener; power windows/locks;tilt/telescoping steering wheel; cruise control; rear wiper anddefogger; 605-watt, 14-speaker JBL sound system with six-discchanger
Warranty: Three years/36,000 miles