2019 Toyota Land Cruiser

Which Land Cruiser does Edmunds recommend?

Overall rating

With its luxury appointments and on-road manners, the 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser might seem to have nothing in common with the rugged, no-nonsense Land Cruisers Toyota built for decades starting in the 1950s. But today's Land Cruiser is nearly unassailable once the pavement ends, maintaining the original version's go-anywhere reputation.

That reputation is in good hands, thanks to its stout body-on-frame construction (like a pickup truck), full-time four-wheel drive, physics-defying off-road software and a robust V8 engine. All of that go-anywhere confidence is backed up by Toyota's equally legendary reliability, not only in the United States but in nearly every country around the world.

But if the only off-roading you're likely to do is accidentally backing over a flower bed, the Land Cruiser doesn't make much sense. The EPA estimates it gets just 15 mpg in combined city/highway driving, which is dismal even by large SUV standards. The Land Cruiser also drives like a big SUV, with slow, heavy steering making it a chore to maneuver in the city and through parking lots.

And while the front passengers will enjoy a fair bit of luxury and decent ergonomics, the rear passengers will find the accommodations in rival full-size SUVs more welcoming. The Land Cruiser's second-row seat bottoms are too low, and not even the massive amount of seatback recline can make the situation better. Things are even worse in the third row. These jump seats are even less comfortable, with barely enough room for children and no easy way to reach them. The seats also don't fold into the floor — they fold up against the side, taking up valuable cargo capacity while looking like an afterthought.

Overall, we think a lot of shoppers will be happier with one of the Land Cruiser's similarly priced rivals, such as Land Rover's Range Rover or Discovery or Lincoln's Navigator. But if adventurously cruising this fine land with an abundance of luxury and creature comforts is your main priority, the 2019 Land Cruiser won't disappoint.

Notably, we picked the 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser as one of Edmunds' Best 3-Row SUVs for 2020.

2019 Toyota Land Cruiser models

The 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser is an eight-passenger luxury SUV offered in one fully loaded trim level. Every Land Cruiser also comes with a 5.7-liter V8 engine that produces 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. It is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive system.

Other off-roading components include a locking center differential, Toyota's Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS, a decoupling stabilizer bar), Crawl Control (a low-speed off-road cruise control), Multi-terrain Select (off-road vehicle settings), hill start assist, skid plates and tow hooks.

Standard exterior equipment includes 18-inch wheels, automatic LED headlights, automatic high beams, power-folding and auto-dimming mirrors, automatic wipers, a windshield wiper de-icer, roof rails, running boards, and an integrated towing hitch receiver and wiring harness.

Inside, you get a sunroof, keyless ignition and entry, four-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, driver-seat memory functions, 40/20/40-split second-row seats (they fold, recline and slide), 50/50-split third-row seats, a heated, power-adjustable steering wheel, and a cooler box under the front center armrest.

Tech features include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view parking camera system, wireless smartphone charging, a USB port, a 9-inch touchscreen interface, Bluetooth, a navigation system, voice controls, Toyota's Entune smartphone app suite, one USB port, and a 14-speaker JBL sound system with a CD player and satellite radio.

A rear seat entertainment system is the only option.

Trim tested

Driving

The aging Land Cruiser's on-road performance is average at best. Its brakes are touchy, there's a lot of nosedive, and the steering is unnaturally heavy. The engine and transmission work fine on the highway, but some drivers might find the accelerator too sensitive at low speeds, and the transmission can get too "shifty" on long grades.

But get it off-road and the Cruiser shines brightly. Its suspension allows for loads of articulation as the Multi-terrain Select also seeks out every bit of traction from the ground. Crawl Control keeps the Land Cruiser pushing through soft and rocky terrain. If you want a seriously off-roadable full-size SUV, then this dinosaur may fit the bill.

Comfort

On the inside, many competitors feature seats with fancy massaging and multi-way adjustability, but the Land Cruiser's relatively old-school seats continue to provide all-day comfort. It's also quiet, which reduces fatigue on long road trips. The four-zone climate control system works well, though accessing higher level controls, such as changing the rear seat settings from the front, requires some menu hopping.

The Land Cruiser rides well on highways and on off-road terrain, but it lacks a more advanced adjustable suspension that would help optimize the ride over more varied conditions, such as hard-edge bumps frequently found in snowy regions or pothole-ridden roads.

Interior

Most drivers will find the Land Cruiser's driving position to be comfortable, but those long of leg might wish for a little more telescoping range in the steering wheel. The large door openings and multiple chunky grab handles help people climb in and out, and first- and second-row passengers will find lots of space once they're inside. The controls are easy to understand, but the reach to the centrally located touchscreen will be a tad long for most.

The large windows allow for generally good visibility, but the third-row seats cut into the rear view when in use. And though the standard surround-view camera has a helpful off-road overlay, its low resolution makes it hard to see fine details.

Utility

To ensure the Land Cruiser has a decent departure angle, the area behind the third row is small in size. You can stow the third row for more cargo space, but the seats fold up to the sides, making the cargo space narrow and restricting your view. The door pockets are narrow, and wider insulated bottles will be a tough fit. And even though the Land Cruiser is great on the highway, the shallow cupholders might not hold your favorite beverage. The second-row seatbacks can fold forward and match the height of the third-row seatbacks. But if you have a child safety seat in the second row, it will limit access to the third row.

On the flip side, the Cruiser's high 8,200-pound towing capacity puts it on par with many full-size trucks, while its split rear hatch provides a handy tailgate that acts as a cargo fence, bench or baby-changing station.

Technology

The Land Cruiser's tech play lies in its standard active safety systems since its infotainment system is far less modern than some of its competitors'. But its expert terrain-handling system is a true detective for traction, blowing many other off-road-capable SUVs out of the water. And its strong audio system features an easy-to-use rear-seat entertainment system.

As for smartphone integration, the Land Cruiser is limited to Bluetooth for audio and phone and USB for music sharing. Toyota's smartphone integration system, Entune, is fiddly to use, though it provides navigation, streaming media and destination-searching support.