Used 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser

After 60 years, the Toyota Land Cruiser continues to define the standards of off-road prowess. Over the decades, the Toyota Land Cruiser adopted the latest comfort and convenience features one would expect from a high-end luxury vehicle, and the 2013 Land Cruiser is no exception. For 2013, Toyota raises the bar once again by adding an abundance of high-tech gadgetry to its flagship SUV. Despite the technological upgrade, the Toyota Land Cruiser has not forgotten its roots. Seating for eight, an 8,200-pound tow rating and unrivaled off-road capability make the Toyota Land Cruiser a capable family mover. However, the Land Cruiser’s legendary capability and advanced technology do not come without a hefty price. Since everything is now included as standard and there are no options or packages, the 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser will carry a seemingly inflated base price, which might place it out of reach for all but the well-off.

The 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser’s rugged ladder frame ensures off-road survivability plus outstanding towing capability. Despite the Land Cruiser’s rigid body construction, ride quality is impressively smooth, even over broken pavement. Body roll and lean seem to be kept in check with help from the Land Cruiser’s Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, and the steering response is precise and confident. Despite its nearly 5,700-pound weight, the Land Cruiser can accelerate and pass with confidence. The Land Cruiser’s international reputation for off-road capability is almost legendary, but the 2013 model does not rest on its laurels; off-road traction is improved even further, thanks to the Land Cruiser’s superior wheel articulation and 4-wheel Active Traction Control system. Within city limits we found that parking and maneuvering the king-sized Land Cruiser in tight quarters was a challenge, even with the sonar proximity-warning system and rearview camera.

The 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser’s spacious interior can seat up to eight passengers, or as few as one person and a mountain of gear (or any number of combinations in between.) Oddly, where most of the Land Cruiser’s competitors offer a fold-flat third-row seat, Toyota decided to stick with an outdated split-bench design in which the two halves flip up and stow at the cargo bay’s sides. The design isn’t just awkward; it actually eats up quite a bit of cargo space. The new interior colors, Black and Sandstone, are complemented by the addition of perforated leather-trimmed seating surfaces and high-gloss wood-grain trim. The Land Cruiser’s updated navigation system features Entune, Toyota’s new infotainment offering, and includes advanced voice recognition to create a user-friendly multimedia experience.

The 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser continues to rely on the simplistic and functional design that helped make the original a timeless classic. Exceptional ground clearance and short front and rear overhangs allow for steep approach and departure angles for traversing irregular terrain. Due to the sheer size of the Land Cruiser, one might expect a power rear liftgate for effortless access to the cargo area but, unlike its competitors, the Land Cruiser does not offer a power rear liftgate and access to the cargo area can be troublesome for the vertically challenged.

Multi-terrain Monitor
A brand-new feature for the 2013 Land Cruiser, the Multi-terrain Monitor utilizes four cameras to provide a near-360-degree view of the vehicle’s surroundings. This feature is particularly advantageous when navigating narrow trails where clearance is extremely limited. The camera’s views are visible on the new 8-inch navigation system display (the largest display offered on a Toyota vehicle).

Kinetic Driving Suspension System (KDSS)
During serious off-road driving, the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System maximizes suspension travel in order to keep the tires on the ground. On pavement, the KDSS helps alleviate body roll thanks to the system’s massive anti-roll bars.

Highlights of the Toyota Land Cruiser’s standard features are full-length side-curtain airbags, which deploy in side impacts or rollovers. They account for two of its 10 airbags. To help prevent the need for airbags, the Land Cruiser has full-time 4-wheel drive, vehicle stability control, 4-wheel traction control and a multi-terrain anti-lock brake system (ABS) designed to produce shorter and more controllable stops off the pavement. A front and rear sonar proximity warning system alerts drivers of hidden objects and structures. The 4-zone climate control system’s 28 outlets should help all passengers stay comfortable. The Land Cruiser’s adaptive cruise control system employs radar to detect the speed of and distance to the vehicle ahead of it, alleviating part of the stress associated with extended road trips.

The 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser is available in one trim level and does not offer stand-alone options or packages.

The 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser’s 5.7-liter double-overhead cam V8 produces 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque, helping it tow loads up to 8,200 pounds. The capable 6-speed automatic transmission utilizes a low first gear for powerful acceleration from stoplights and two overdrive gears for enhanced fuel economy. The Land Cruiser’s full-time 4-wheel-drive system has a Torsen torque-sensing center differential that sends engine torque to the axle with the most traction.

5.7-liter V8
381 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
401 lb-ft of torque @ 3,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/18 mpg