2010 Toyota Land Cruiser: Road Test
2010 Toyota Land Cruiser ▼
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- MSRP: $65,970 -
- Invoice: $58,382 -
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Our road test for the 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser includes a full evaluation of the 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser help you decide if a 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Base w/navigation system | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 6 | 5.9 |
The powertrain results in strong off-the-line punch and good passing power, helped by the transmission's quick kickdowns and smooth shifts.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Base w/navigation system | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 4 | 2.5 |
In Consumer Guide testing, we averaged a respectable 16.2 mpg. Toyota recommends regular-grade gas.
RIDE QUALITY
| Base w/navigation system | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 7 | 6.2 |
The suspension smothers bumps with little disturbance or undue bobbing. It certainly ranks among the best large SUVs with any kind of off-road prowess.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Base w/navigation system | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 4 | 4.2 |
Body lean is fairly well controlled, though the high seating position amplifies what tipping there is in fast corners. The variable-ratio steering has good feel and "quickens" the farther you get off-center, and that, combined with a fairly tight turning radius, results in good maneuverability for such a large vehicle.
QUIETNESS
| Base w/navigation system | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 8 | 7 |
Wind, road, and engine noise are well controlled, even at highway speeds, making the Land Cruiser as quiet as some luxury cars. The mufflers have a valve that opens under full throttle to reduce back pressure and increase power, and the exhaust note changes to a muted growl when it does.
CONTROLS
| Base w/navigation system | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 6 | 6.2 |
Only navigation-equipped models have been made available for testing. Large gauges are clearly marked and easy to see. The turn-signal and wiper levers move with typical Toyota smoothness, as do other switches. All audio, climate, and navigation controls are mounted high on the dashboard within easy reach. The navigation system absorbs the radio-station-select buttons and some of the automatic climate-control functions, though temperature and fan speed are separate. Although this complicates some adjustments, the virtual buttons for both systems can be easily called up on the dashboard touchscreen, and they're simple to decipher and use. Also, redundant station-select and volume buttons are on the steering wheel.
DETAILS
| Base w/navigation system | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 8 | 7.6 |
Virtually every surface that can be is richly padded except the console, and most materials would look at home in a luxury sedan. Workmanship is likewise impressive.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Base w/navigation system | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 9 | 8.6 |
Large, comfortable seats with lots of adjustments combine with a tilt and telescopic steering wheel and ample headroom and legroom for first-class accommodations. Visibility is OK except to the rear corners, particularly with the 3rd-row seats stowed. Standard rear-obstacle detection helps, as does the optional (with navigation system) rearview camera. Ingress and egress are easy enough, though the lack of available running boards might make it more difficult for shorter folks.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Base w/navigation system | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 8 | 7.1 |
Accommodations are impressive here, too, with plenty of headroom and legroom on comfortable seats that can fit three across in a pinch. However, foot space is tight unless the front seats are raised. Passengers get their own audio and climate controls. As in front, the step-in height is reasonable, thanks to newly standard side steps. Second-row seats slide fore and aft about 3 inches; they need to be forward if 3rd-row passengers are to have much legroom. The 3rd row is fairly easy to access and there's good headroom, but foot space is scarce and the low cushion forces anyone but small children into a knees-up position.
CARGO ROOM
| Base w/navigation system | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 8 | 8.5 |
A sore spot. It isn't as easy to go from eight-passenger seating to maximum cargo space as it is in most SUVs. Oddly, Toyota retained the Land Cruiser's inconvenient side-stowing split 3rd-row seat, the halves of which can't be easily removed and are quite heavy. If left in place, each half can be stowed against its respective side wall, but that requires removing the headrest, folding the seat, and then swinging it up against the wall. That leaves only a narrow cargo area in the middle, and the folded seats block visibility to the rear corners. Second-row seats fold easily. Interior storage is quite good, with large, two-tiered glove and console boxes, a pair of covered console cupholders, and large map pockets with cupholders.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Base w/navigation system | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 5 | 5.4 |
Land Cruiser blends legendary off-road capability with impressive on-road manners and luxurious accommodations. Inconvenient passenger-to-cargo conversion and steep pricing make it a good value only to high-rolling off-roaders and Land Cruiser loyalists.
Total Score
| Base w/navigation system | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 73 | 69.2 |
Total Score: 73
Scores for all Premium Large Sport-utility Vehicles
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