2005 Toyota Land Cruiser: Road Test
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2005 Toyota Land Cruiser ▼
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- MSRP: $55,325
- Invoice: $48,408
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Our road test for the 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser includes a full evaluation of the 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser help you decide if a 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 5 | 5.1 |
Expect about 9 sec 0-60 mph--good for a sumo-size SUV. V8 works with 5-speed automatic transmission to furnish ready power for most situations and is always smooth and refined, even by car standards.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 2 | 2 |
Dismal--and Toyota recommends premium fuel. Test Land Cruiser averaged 12.5-13.1 mpg in mixed driving, test LX 470 just 11.8 mpg.
RIDE QUALITY
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 7 | 5.8 |
Absorbent and quite comfortable in Land Cruiser. 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 | 3.4 |
Fast turns induce expected body lean and slight tippy feel, but 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 | 6 |
Among the most refined full-size SUVs and quieter than some passenger cars, thanks to luxury-grade sound deadening and silken engines.
CONTROLS
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 7 | 5.6 |
Busy-looking dashboard proves user-friendly, but navigation system takes learning, complicates some audio adjustments, and has fingerprint-prone touchscreen. LX 470's exclusive Night View option uses light sensors and a special camera to project a black-and-white image onto the windshield ahead of the driver. It works as advertised, but is useful mainly in dark, low-traffic areas--and can be distracting. Toyota or Lexus, first-rate cabin materials and workmanship.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 8 | 8.1 |
Plentiful space on wide, cosseting seats. High stance makes entry/exit awkward for shorter people, but 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 |
|---|---|
| 6 | 6.7 |
Adequate room for adults, but short seat cushion and limited foot space make longer trips fatiguing. High step in and narrow door openings complicate entry/exit. Third-row seat is just kid's stuff. Again, awkward entry/exit, especially for 3rd-row occupants.
CARGO ROOM
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 8 | 7.8 |
Clumsy seat stowage betrays elderly basic 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 in newer SUVs with more convenient folding seats. Removing 3rd-row seats adds space, but is a real chore. 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 |
|---|---|
| 7 | 4.6 |
Aged they may be, but these SUVs are true premium products--capable off-road, comfortable on-road, built to a high standard. A Best Buy in this class, Land Cruiser offers better dollar value than its costlier cousin, though the LX 470 benefits from Lexus's longer warranty and reputation for superior customer care.
Total Score
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 61 | 55.1 |
Total Score: 61
Scores for all Premium Large Sport-utility Vehicles
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