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2008 Toyota Land Cruiser: On the Street or Off the Beat
There’s no doubt about it, Toyota has been throwing out all the right weaponry in staking their claim to becoming the top dog in the U.S. auto market. Now they have added yet another menacing threat to their SUV arsenal with the all-new 2008 Land Cruiser. The big boy SUV has a long history of being a popular pick amongst SUV enthusiasts in the States and abroad. Known for its multi-tasking on and off-road capabilities coupled with style and grace, the Land Cruiser is Toyota’s longest running vehicle line, first introduced in 1957 as a go anywhere, anytime SUV for the military. We recently joined Toyota in Big Sky, Montana for the unveiling of the next generation of this road bully.
 The overall styling and design of the Land Cruiser has not changed much as Toyota has a commitment in keeping the badging of the Land Cruiser in its original and popular appearance. From an exterior look, the 2008 now has large, multi-reflector headlamps, available with an optional headlamp cleaning system. This cleaning system is ideal for maintaining clear vision to its driver when engaging in messy nighttime off-road driving. Off road moves are aided by power remote side mirrors that move downward in unison to allow the driver an enhanced view around the rear wheels. The rear combination lamps maintain Land Cruiser’s signature.
Standard on the 2008 Land Cruiser are 18-inch alloy wheels with a tire pressure system that monitors the air pressure of all tires (including the spare) by using transmitters. The Land Cruiser’s tire pressure can be displayed on the interior’s Multi-Information Display (MID). The interior design maintains Toyota’s theme of advanced style and inviting passenger comfort. The MID is located in the center of the gauge cluster providing stats like cruising range, fuel economy, average speed and distance driven. The standard leather steering wheel (also available in wood trim) is equipped with audio controls, display modes, Bluetooth and voices command switches. The telescopic steering column has a memory function that when the ignition switch is turned off, the steering wheel automatically tilts up and retracts fully for easy entry and exit. Available as part of the “Upgrade Package,” or as a standalone option is an eight-inch LCD information display that multi-tasks as a navigation screen, audio display and rear view monitor.
 The Land Cruiser’s braking system features large, four piston front calipers, which helped us to come to quick stops to avoid herds of Buffalo, Moose and even Elk while traveling from Montana into Wyoming. The Land Cruiser shares the same 5.7-liter V8 as Toyota’s full-sized Tundra pickup. The engine pumps out 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque.
Taking my turn as a backseat passenger, the Land Cruiser offers abundant rear seat roominess, capable of seating up to eight occupants with spacious second and third row seating. The Montana weather was a bit below my personal liking for this time of the year, so having heated second row seating (optional) was just what my backside needed! The second row also features a 40:20:40 split bench with an independent center seat that slides fore and aft and tumbles for cargo carrying. The passenger sides have a one-touch tumble feature that allows for easy entry to the third row.
Toyota has made some changes with the chassis by increasing the strength and size of the Land Cruiser’s frame, using a new fully boxed frame design that has increased thickness in frame cross members at junctions with the frame rail. What does this mean? Increased rigidity, which compliments overall handling and ride comfort. The Land Cruiser’s front suspension has been changed from previous models that used a torsion-bar type to a double-wish bone or double A-arm suspension. The shocks are protected inside of the control arms, which reduces the likelihood of damage when engaging the Land Cruiser off-road or smacking a vicious city pothole. The rear has a four-link coil-spring suspension. A Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) adjusts the stabilizer bars based on driving conditions.
 The maximum effect of the KDSS was felt on road with enhanced stability. The stabilizer bar requires no power source as it adjusts using hydraulic cylinders and links at the front and rear stabilizer bar mounts. Under vehicle roll, the hydraulic pressures of both the front and rear cylinders match, and the cylinders do not operate. This causes the stabilizer bars to operate similar to a traditional suspension system. I had an opportunity to discuss this with University of Toyota’s David Lee during dinner. My question was prompted when I noticed during my drive that the 2008 Land Cruiser has the ability to remain flat during sharp turns, cornering and sudden lane changes.
The off-road capabilities of the 2008 Land cruiser are phenomenal, with the introduction of Toyota’s “Crawl Control” feature. Driver activated via a center console switch, this feature operates on three speed settings (low, mid and high) reducing driver effort when negotiating challenging terrain that requires maximum vehicle speed control and driver concentration. This feature was tested along with the Land Cruiser’s “Hill Start Assist Control” on a specially designed off-road test course. Crawling over steep and rocky terrain and trudging through mud and sand presented no problems for the Land Cruiser. Experienced drivers will find these system features handy when fatigue is a concern.
Toyota says the $63,200 2008 Land Cruiser has been created to deliver appeal for the image conscious customer, while simultaneously maintaining the attributes of those desiring an active lifestyle SUV. The evolution of the Land Cruiser is one of consistent driving bliss whether on-road or off.
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