Have you ever been left yearning for a car with ultra comfort, unbelievable off road ability, and a ridiculous road presence? No? Me either. But wouldn’t it be nice if you had a car that could do all these things anyway? Introducing the new Toyota Landcruiser.
Let's get the obvious out of the way first: this isn't exactly a ballet shoe. It's a hulking great beast of a machine, a four-wheeled metaphor for unchecked enthusiasm. Under the bonnet lies a 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel engine, a powerhouse that coughs up a respectable 227 kilowatts and a stonking 700 newton metres of torque. Translated into layman's terms, that means this thing can tow a small house and outrun most existential dread.
Now, some might scoff at a diesel engine in 2024, but listen closely. This unit is smooth, remarkably quiet for a diesel, and happily chugs along at a claimed rate of 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres. That's impressive for a vehicle that weighs more than a small apartment building. The 10-speed automatic transmission doles out the power with a seamless efficiency that borders on the telepathic.
On the road, the LandCruiser 300 Sahara isn't exactly a sports car. Let's be honest, it wouldn't win a slalom against a Porsche. But for a large SUV, it handles surprisingly well. The steering is precise, there's a newfound sense of composure compared to previous LandCruisers, and it corners with a surprising amount of grace – given its size, of course.
But here's the thing: nobody buys a LandCruiser to carve canyons. They buy them to conquer them. And that, dear reader, is where the magic truly happens. Flick the switch into four-wheel drive low, and the LandCruiser transforms into an unstoppable force.
The Multi-Terrain Select system allows you to tailor the car's response to whatever madness you plan on encountering, from crawling over rocks to wading through rivers (up to a stock depth of 700mm, by the way). The plethora of cameras gives you a 360-degree view of your surroundings, so you can see exactly what precarious ledge you're about to teeter off.
Speaking of ledges, the LandCruiser boasts a phenomenal approach, departure, and breakover angle, which means you can clamber over some truly obscene inclines and declines without scraping the undercarriage. The improved suspension soaks up bumps and jolts with a satisfying aplomb, leaving you feeling more like a seasoned off-roader and less like a ragdoll flung about the cabin.
Now, let's talk about the interior. The Sahara trim level bathes you in a luxurious ambience that I’ve come to expect from Toyota recently. The leather seats are as comfortable as your favourite armchair, and there's more than enough space to seat seven adults in absolute comfort. The 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen is a breeze to use, although I confess a yearning for a proper volume dial – but that's a minor quibble.
The pièce de résistance, for me, is the head-up display. It projects vital information like speed and navigation right onto the windscreen, allowing you to keep your eyes firmly fixed on the ever-changing terrain ahead.
Is the LandCruiser 300 Sahara perfect? Well, perfection is a pesky ideal that tends to elude even the most accomplished automobiles. The fuel tank capacity is a touch on the small side, but that's a fair trade-off for the increased efficiency of the engine. The price tag? Let's just say it won't exactly win any budget car of the year awards.
But here's the crux of it: the LandCruiser 300 Sahara isn't just a car, it's an invitation. An invitation to explore the unbeaten path, to conquer any obstacle that nature dares throw your way. It's a luxurious chariot that can handle the chaos, a machine that seamlessly blends refinement with rugged capability. So, if you're after a vehicle that can tame the urban jungle and devour the wilderness in equal measure, then the LandCruiser 300 Sahara might just be your perfect automotive companion.
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