Used 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser bears little resemblance to the Jeep-like military transport that debuted so many decades ago. Today, it’s a luxurious transport for up to eight, a single model that, while pricey, can do just about anything you ask of it. And we do mean anything, because there is one thing today’s modern, luxurious Toyota Land Cruiser shares with its ancestors: an uncanny off-road ability. Because, you see, unlike rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GL or Cadillac Escalade, this luxury SUV isn’t afraid to get its shoes dirty. With a low-range transfer case, and a Multi-terrain Select system that’s smart enough to know when to allow wheel slip and when to prevent it, there’s little the 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser can’t handle.

Strip away the luxury trappings, and you’ll see that the 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser remains one tough SUV. Its body-on-frame construction may be archaic by today’s standards, but the stiff body allows incredible articulation from the fully independent suspension, perfect for tackling those severe off-road situations. However, the Land Cruiser handles on-road activities with equal aplomb, thanks to Toyota’s Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS). This hydraulically adjusts the resistance of the front and rear anti-roll bars, allowing the wheels on each side to move with more independence off road, but preventing body lean in on-road corners. Do you need to tow? No problem, as the big 5.7-liter V8 under the hood offers up 381 horsepower, enough to haul both the 5,700-pound Land Cruiser and an additional 8,500 pounds of trailer. All the while, you’ll be ensconced in silence, coddled by luxury befitting a Lexus.

The 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser offers up seating for eight passengers, with acceptable cargo space behind the third row. From behind the wheel, you’ll enjoy plenty of power, a comfortable ride, exquisite seats and quiet running, thanks to the Land Cruiser’s luxury-levels of sound deadening. However, the Land Cruiser’s not the best cargo-hauler, thanks to 3rd-row seats that fold up against the sides of the cargo area, reducing how much you can carry inside. At least the interior is awash in luxury touches, like soft leather and Toyota’s Entune audio system.

There’s not a lot of flair to the 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser exterior, but then again, there doesn’t need to be. The exterior reflects the Land Cruiser’s purpose in life, that is, to be ruggedly dependable in any weather, over any terrain, while offering the ultimate in refined luxury. The look emphasizes the capabilities of this luxury SUV with ample ground clearance and short front and rear overhangs for the rough stuff, while adding enough chrome and flourishes to get the front spot at a high-end restaurant’s valet parking.

5.7-LITER V8 ENGINE
The 2015 Land Cruiser is a lot of luxury SUV. Good thing it has a lot of engine under the hood. The 5.7-liter V8 may not be a fuel-economy leader, but it has what the Land Cruiser needs: lots of power, plenty of torque and a quiet and calm demeanor.

KINETIC DRIVING SUSPENSION SYSTEM (KDSS)
The Toyota Land Cruiser SUV gives you maximum off-road ability without sacrificing on-road comfort thanks to its Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System. It hydraulically adjusts the lean resistance from the anti-roll bars to allow better suspension articulation off-road, or a smoother ride around town.

The standard equipment list for the 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser is surprisingly long, as there’s no optional equipment. That means you get the V8 engine, full-time 4-wheel drive with a low-range, traction and stability control – both optimized for off-road capability – plus the multi-terrain select system. Then there’s the luxury, like a 4-zone climate-control system, standard leather upholstery, and an adaptive cruise-control system that 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.

None. Seriously, we weren’t kidding about everything being standard on the 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser. Your options are limited to the color of paint on the outside and the tone of leather inside.

The only engine available for the 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser is a 5.7-liter V8 with 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. Toyota says that 90 percent of that torque is available at just 2,200 rpm, meaning you don’t have to rev this engine to get moving. It’s matched to a 6-speed automatic transmission and standard 4-wheel drive. When you put it all together, you have a drivetrain that’s worthy of a luxury car…literally, as the exact same drivetrain is in the Lexus version of the Land Cruiser, the LX 570. Not only does it deal with the Land Cruiser’s weight with aplomb, but it can also tow 8,500 pounds. The Land Cruiser SUV is one of the most capable vehicles on the planet.

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