2003 Toyota Land Cruiser: Road Test
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2003 Toyota Land Cruiser ▼
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- MSRP: $53,955
- Invoice: $47,209
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Our road test for the 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser includes a full evaluation of the 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser help you decide if a 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 5 | 4.4 |
Previous models clocked 9 sec in our 0-60 mph tests--good for big SUVs. We haven't yet tested the '03s, but they may do slightly better with their new 5-speed automatic transmission. V8 is always smooth and refined, even by car standards.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 2 | 1.9 |
Dismal--and Toyota recommends premium fuel. Test LX 470 averaged just 11.8 mpg in a mix of city/highway driving. Land Cruiser should do about the same.
RIDE QUALITY
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 7 | 5.4 |
Absorbent and quite comfortable. But LX 470's standard variable shock-absorber damping is ineffective; soft setting only increases wallow, while firm mode gives the jitters over bumps.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 3 | 3.3 |
Fast turns induce expected body lean and slight tipsy feel. But the AWD and antiskid/traction system provide ever-sure grip. Simulated panic stops stable, relatively short for weighty SUVs, despite marked nosedive.
QUIETNESS
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 8 | 5.2 |
Among the most refined full-size SUVs. With luxury-grade sound deadening and silken engines, Cruiser and LX are quieter than many passenger sedans.
CONTROLS
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 7 | 5 |
Busy-looking dashboard proves user-friendly; only a few switches hard to find. Navigation system not intuitive to operate, complicates too many audio adjustments, and has fingerprint-prone touchscreen. Toyota or Lexus, first-rate cabin materials and workmanship.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 8 | 7.4 |
Plentiful space on wide, cosseting seats. High stance makes entry/exit awkward for shorter people, though running boards are available for Cruiser, standard on LX. Drivers have commanding views, though headrests are minor obstructions aft.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 8 | 6.4 |
Expansive, and wide enough for comfortable 3-adult seating in 2nd row. Third-row seat is just kid's stuff. Again, awkward entry/exit, especially for 3rd-row occupants.
CARGO ROOM
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 8 | 6.9 |
Inefficient seat stowage betrays somewhat elderly design. Space behind 3rd row is suitcase tight. And even with those seats lifted and strapped against the side walls, the expanse doesn't match that created by the fold-down arrangement in newer SUVs. Removing 3rd-row seats helps. Good 2nd-row passenger comfort demands thick seat cushions that eat up about 16 inches of luggage space when folded forward.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 8 | 3.4 |
They're expensive, but these are true premium SUVs: highly capable off-road, quick and comfortable on-road, and built to a high standard. Within the luxury-SUV class, Land Cruiser is the Best Buy of the two, thanks to better dollar value, though the costlier LX 470 boasts Lexus's longer warranty and superior customer care.
Total Score
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 64 | 49.3 |
Total Score: 64
Scores for all Premium Large Sport-utility Vehicles
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