Feature

New cars: 2009 Toyota Land Cruiser

What the critics say about the $64,755 Toyota Land Cruiser

The New York Times
The 1954 Land Cruiser was the vehicle that “saved Toyota,” after its first sedan proved “crummy.” The vehicle now has a devoted cult following; it’s indestructible and has a high resale value. But this redesigned “temple of tumescence” is 3 feet longer, 2 feet wider, and a full ton heavier than the original. It also comes saddled with a high price, low mileage, “monolithic size, and amorphous shape.”

Edmunds.com
This upscale but rugged SUV sets the bar for durability in “the world’s most extreme environments.” The 5.7-liter V8 churns out 381 hp, and a six-speed automatic transmission channels that power into all four wheels, allowing the drivetrain to maintain “ultra-slow velocity for hard-core trail-busting.” The “decadent” all-leather interior includes a 14-speaker audio system, four-zone climate control, and three rows of seating.

Consumer Reports
The Land Cruiser earned the highest rating in a comparison test with the Porsche Cayenne S, Range Rover Sport HSE, and Hummer H2. It’s “quick, plush, and refined,” and the interior offers high-quality ambience. But the SUV gets only 14 mpg overall. Though a capable off-roader, it “lacks agility,” and braking takes longer on wet pavements.

Recommended

A summer to remember
An inflatable pool ring
Feature

A summer to remember

6 picture-perfect homes with great views
House
Feature

6 picture-perfect homes with great views

The Check-In: Flight bans in France and traveling along the Artichoke Trail
Planes release smoke in the colors of the French flag
Feature

The Check-In: Flight bans in France and traveling along the Artichoke Trail

The Week contest: Dog accomplice
Dog in the driver seat of a vehicle.
Feature

The Week contest: Dog accomplice

Most Popular

Disney hits back against DeSantis
Entranceway to Walt Disney World.
Feature

Disney hits back against DeSantis

What the shifting religious landscape means for American politics
Ballot box
Talking point

What the shifting religious landscape means for American politics

South Korean man facing prison time after opening airplane door in midair
An Asiana Airlines flight that had its emergency door opened midair.
Problems in the Sky

South Korean man facing prison time after opening airplane door in midair