2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Review

Detailed Review

The first generation of Land Cruisers went on sale in 1951. Land Cruiser body styles included convertible, hardtop, station wagon, and cab chassis. The Land Cruiser’s durability and longevity have contributed to its global appeal as the best-selling body-on-frame four-wheel drive vehicle.

Toyota divided the Land Cruiser into three models. The ‘heavy-duty’ series is the most basic, with practicality, durability, and off-road capabilities taking precedence above comfort or technology. The BJ, FJ, 20, 40, and 70 series are among Toyota’s ‘heavy-duty’ models.

The Land Cruiser’s’station wagon series prioritizes comfort and interior capacity. It was created as a four-wheel drive leisure vehicle capable of transporting a complete family. The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is the smaller “light duty” variation of the Toyota Land Cruiser. It is not the same as the full-size model.

The Toyota BJ prototype was created in 1951. The reason for this was the huge demand for military-style utility vehicles. In 1955, the second generation Land Cruiser, known as the 20 series, was introduced. It had a more stylish body and a more comfortable ride. It was intended to have a more civilian appeal than the BJ for export purposes.

In 1960, the 20 series was modified to the now 40 series, designated J40. Seven years later, the J50 series was introduced. It was the first Land Cruiser with fully encased box frame members. The J60 series was produced from 1980 to 1990. It’s a four-door wagon that seats five to eight people. The 60 boasted many creature comforts, including air conditioning, a rear heater, and a redesigned interior.

The J70 had its public debut in 1984. It used a four-wheel coil spring solid-axle suspension to increase the ride quality. The Land Cruiser J80 series debuted in 1990. This entry-level model was later upgraded with cloth upholstery, standard air conditioning, and a driver seat with a motor.

The J100 series Land Cruiser was introduced in 1998 as a replacement for the J80 series. The 100-series consists of two models; the 100 and the 105. The two models appear identical, yet there are significant differences behind the bodywork. Despite their differences and official model names, the 100 and 105 are frequently referred to as the 100 series. The suspension system on the J100 was a hybrid of active height control and Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension (TEMS).

The Lexus LX 470, also known as the Toyota Cygnus in Japan, was based on the 100 series. The 100 series was still produced until late 2007, with minor updates like headlights, taillights, front grille, rear spoiler, and specification modifications introduced.

In 2007, the J200 series superseded the 100 series, and it is still in production today. The 200 Series improved on its predecessor in a variety of ways, including cosmetic upgrades to the body and interior.

In 2015, Toyota produced an enhanced facelift version of the J200 Land Cruiser. The new model comes with an 8-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, larger front disc brakes, and a higher axle ratio, in addition to the original 5.7 L V8 petrol engine.

The J300 series made its debut in 2021. The frame was modified to conserve weight and increase rigidity on the body-on-frame platform. The vehicle’s entire weight was reduced by 200 kg as compared to its predecessor. Other alleged enhancements include a lower center of gravity, improved weight distribution, and a superior suspension structure.

The 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser comes with a single-engine option: a 5.7 L (Petrol) engine linked to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Grades

1. Land Cruiser AX- This entry grade comes with adaptive cruise control, a keyless start, a digital signal processor, an Audio theft deterrent, a Real-Time traffic display, 1 LCD monitor in the front and 2 LCD row monitors in the rear, and a rear entertainment system.
2. Land Cruiser AX  G- This grade comes with a panoramic sunroof, power windows, Bluetooth connectivity, an anti-lock braking system, an LCD monitor, a reverse camera, and power mirrors.
3. Land Cruiser GX- This grade features power door locks, heated mirrors, driver-illuminated vanity mirrors, a premium sound system, and smart device integration.
4. Land Cruiser ZX- This grade comes equipped with a real-time traffic display, a keyless entry, an electronic tailgate, a central door lock, an AM/FM Radio, and an anti-lock braking system.

Interior

Legroom & Space

The 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser is a spacious car with the capacity to comfortably carry 8 people in a 3-row configuration. It boasts a nicely furnished interior and leather touches.

The first row provides plenty of legroom and headroom with reclining seats. The second row is impressive as well with enough space for knee room and headroom. The third row of seats is suitable for kids only as it has limited space for headroom and legroom.

Cabin Storage

The 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser contains a lot of storage space for items such as beverages, soft drinks, keys, and other accessories.

A center console, a glovebox compartment, door panels, and two cupholders are included in the first row. The second row contains jacket and door pockets, as well as two cupholders on the armrest.

Boot Space

The cargo space in the 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser is 16.1 cubic feet with the third row put up and expands to 43 cubic feet with the third row folded. When the second and third rows are folded, 81.7 cubic feet of space is created. It also features a split tailgate.

Exterior

The front end of the 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser is fairly conservative. It has a new chrome strip running across the headlights. LED headlamps, LED high and low beams, and daytime running lights are standard on all models. The front fascia features excellent approach and departure angles, making it ideal for off-roading.

A running board is located on the side profile to assist passengers when boarding or exiting this vehicle. There are roof rails and a sunroof at the top. The back has a lot of chrome highlights as well as the traditional V8 emblem. LED tail lights and turn signals are also prominent.

2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Safety Features

The 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser features SRS Airbags, Curtain airbags, DCS and TCS, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Pre-crash Safety System, Radar Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Pedestrian Warning, Lane Departure Alert, Frontal Collision Warning, Automatic High Beam, Run Flat tires, Active Roll Stabilization, and Electronic Damping Control.

2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Fuel Consumption

2018 Toyota Land Cruiser 5.7 L petrol engine consumption- 6.2 km/l on average

2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Acceleration

2018 Toyota Land Cruiser 5.7 L petrol engine accelerates from 0-100km/h in 6.6 secs

2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Fuel Tank Capacity: 138 liters

Ground Clearance

The 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser has a ground clearance of 8.9 inches.

Service Intervals

Minor Service: At 5,000 km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil.

Major Service: At 10,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil.

Spare Parts and Availability

Spare parts for the Toyota Land Cruiser are much more affordable compared to the Range Rover and the Nissan Patrol. In the long term, it’s the cheaper car to own. On average, body parts and sensors are expensive and some are not readily available in the market. Service parts are well-priced and available in all major towns across the country.

Stability And Handling

The V8 engine in the 2018 Land Cruiser easily propels this large SUV. There’s also enough low-end torque, which helps with acceleration and towing.

While this Toyota is a full-size car with significant body lean at corners, it feels stable on the road. The ride is hard, as is typical of body-on-frame SUVs, but the suspension absorbs road imperfections effectively enough to keep the ride pleasant. The Land Cruiser excels at off-roading, and few SUVs can match. Multi-terrain select, crawl control, a limited-slip differential, adjustable suspension, and four-wheel drive are standard.

The engine and transmission system work in tandem with the transmission system to deliver a smooth start and good acceleration. The braking system is very robust so it can bring the Land Cruiser to a complete stop in a matter of seconds which helps in averting possible accidents.

Reliability

Because of Toyota’s endurance in automobile manufacturing, which allowed for revisions, re-designs, and refinements, the 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser is recognized as a reliable vehicle. However, despite its iconic position, the Land Cruiser is yet to achieve perfection. The most generally reported problem in this SUV by several owners is fuel pump failure.

Refer to the Toyota Land Cruiser buyer guide for a thorough dependability report. We also urge that you always follow the instructions in the owner’s manual.

Resale Value: Good

Toyota Land Cruiser Competitors:  Land Rover Range Rover, Lexus LX 570, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, Nissan Patrol, and Mercedes Benz GLS.

What we like about the 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser

Off-road capability

Plenty of power

Excellent visibility in all directions

High-quality interior materials

What we don’t

Poor fuel economy

Cumbersome seat-folding process

Conclusion

The 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser remains loyal to its roots as a big, luxurious, and well-equipped off-road SUV. Availability of the third-row seats makes it ideal for people with big households. Its luxurious fittings make it a better choice to be used as a hauler for VIP’s. Individuals on a tight budget, on the other hand, may be unable to not only purchase this car but also service it regularly.