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Premium large SUV; Built in Japan
  • 4-door wagon
  • longitudinal front-engine/all-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $9,000 – $32,500*


1999 Toyota Land Cruiser


1998 Toyota Land Cruiser


1998 Toyota Land Cruiser interior


2000 Toyota Land Cruiser


1998 Toyota Land Cruiser

Pros:
  • Build quality
  • Cargo room
  • Passenger room
  • Quietness
  • Ride
Cons:
  • Entry/exit
  • Fuel economy

Though less expensive than its Lexus mate, Land Cruiser is not cheap and has less space than some less-costly rivals. Nevertheless, it’s highly capable off-road, and as fast and comfortable as any competitor on the road. Built better than most, Land Cruiser delivers.

Overview

Toyota’s full-size sport-utility vehicle earned new styling for 1998, as did its Lexus cousin. That upscale Lexus wagon got a name change from LX 450 to LX 470, to mark the switch from V6 power to the SUV’s first-ever V8 engine (with 4.7-liter displacement). Toyota stuck with the Land Cruiser designation for its new V8 sport utility. The V8 evolved from the engine installed in Toyota’s Lexus-division luxury cars. The 4-door wagon came with permanent 4-wheel drive and a 4-speed automatic transmission. A 2-speed transfer case provided low-range gearing for off-road use, and a locking rear differential was optional. A Land Cruiser could tow up to 6500 pounds. Antilock brakes were standard. Land Cruisers were fitted for 5-passenger seating as standard, but a 3-place third-row bench seat was optional, boosting capacity to eight occupants. Rivals included the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, and GMC Yukon/Denali.

Yearly Updates

1999 Land Cruiser
Rear air conditioning became optional this year, as the only notable change. Featuring automatic temperature control, that system was independent of the front-seat air conditioner. Rear air was available only when ordering the third-seat option.
2000 Land Cruiser
Land Cruisers gained standard equipment, including a new Active TRAC traction control system with integrated vehicle skid control. Using data from the 4-wheel antilock brake sensors and other sources, this system directed power to the wheels with best traction. Formerly optional, a power moonroof and leather upholstery became standard. Automatic rear air conditioning, independent of the regular system, now came with the optional third-row bench seat.
2001 Land Cruiser
An optional navigation system featuring an in-dash screen with map display via DVD was new for 2001.
2002 Land Cruiser
Toyota’s luxury SUV got standard instead of optional 3rd-row seating, plus rear-seat automatic climate control for 2002.
2003 Land Cruiser
Side airbags were a new option, a 5-speed automatic replaced the 4-speed, and the V8 got an additional 5 horsepower.
2004 Land Cruiser
An optional rearview TV camera is the only 2004 addition to the Land Cruiser.
2005 Land Cruiser
Standard wheel size increases from 17 inches to 18 as the only 2005 change to Land Cruiser.
2006 Land Cruiser
No new changes for 2006.
2007 Land Cruiser
Land Cruiser carries over unchanged.

Engines

longitudinal front-engine/all-wheel drive

Land Cruisers now were powered by a 4.7-liter V8 engine that developed 230 horsepower, driving a 4-speed automatic transmission. In ’03 the V8 gained 5 horsepower and a 5-speed automatic replaced the 4-speed.

dohc V8
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 4.7/285
Engine HP 230-5
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 320
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic
5-speed automatic 		13/16
13/17 		12.0
11.8

Road Test

Though less “trucky” than in the past, both the Land Cruiser and the LX 470 are not really carlike, either. Even so, they’re the most refined big SUVs to be found, more powerful than before and boasting additional sound insulation.

Despite the Land Cruiser’s still-hefty curb weight, its V8 engine is muscular enough to deliver brisk acceleration, helped by prompt, smooth shifts from the automatic transmission. A test model accelerated to 60 mph in a surprisingly swift 9 seconds. Wind and road noise in a Land Cruiser can be noticeable–mainly because the V8 is so well-muted–whereas the LX 470 is quieter, in keeping with its luxury mission. We averaged 12.3 mpg in an early Land Cruiser, using the recommended premium fuel. A later edition returned 13.6 mpg.

Ride comfort and control are good, both on-road and off. Though high-built, this wagon does not feel ponderous around town. It also handles confidently except in fast corners, where marked (though predictable) body lean is the rule, coupled with a slight tipsy sensation. Four-wheel drive helps keeps the grip secure, while the Land Cruiser’s independent front suspension yields a surprisingly absorbent ride. Helped by standard antilocking “panic” braking, distance and control are excellent for a vehicle of this type and weight.

Head room and rear leg room are good, in contrast to prior models. There’s also enough cabin width for three grownups in the middle bench seat. The available third-row seat is cramped and inaccessible for all but a preteen couple. Middle-row entry/exit isn’t easy either, thanks to a tall step-up and narrow door bottoms. On the other hand, that high stance gives a commanding view of the road, though headrests impair vision out back. The user-friendly dashboard has simple new rotary climate controls, though a few other switches aren’t so easy to see. Space behind the third seat is sufficient for grocery bags but not much more. That seat folds or removes fairly easily for generous maximum cargo room.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2001 Toyota Land Cruiser

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 5
50%
Fuel Economy - 2
20%
Ride Quality - 8
80%
Steering/Handling - 4
40%
Quietness - 8
80%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Front - 8
80%
Room/Comfort Rear - 8
80%
Cargo Room - 8
80%

Other

Value - 5
50%

Total: 63

Specifications

4-door wagon
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
112.2 192.5 76.4 73.2
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
97.5 25.4 5/8
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
40.6 39.8 42.3 34.3
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2000 Land Cruiser 4-door wagon

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Front Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision 117
Injury 50
Theft 239

Trouble Spots

Air conditioner
Description: The air-conditioner expansion valve makes a buzzing noise. The valve and an attached tube must be replaced to remedy the problem. (1998-99)
Brake noise
Description: Rear brake squeaks are corrected with revised brake pads. (1998-99)
Hard starting
Description: The engine may fail to start if: the engine immobilizer system key’s ring is over the top of the key; a Mobil-type transponder is on the key ring; or if another immobilizer key is on the same key ring. (1998-2001)
Transmission noise
Description: The transmission makes a chattering noise when shifting from reverse to neutral or park. An additional check ball installed in the valve body will fix the problem. (1998)
Vehicle noise
Description: Numerous squeaks and rattles from the glovebox and center console. (1998)

Recall History

2004
Description: The vehicle capacity weight on the tire and loading information label and the GVWR on the certification label is insufficient for certain vehicles. Some vehicles were accessorized through vehicle processing centers and had accessories installed that caused the vehicle to exceed the GVWR value. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, “Tire Selection and Rims,” and 49 CFR Part 567. Toyota will exchange the certification label and the tire and loading information label.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 30, 2014.
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