Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition Review: A Lexus By Any Other Name
Tough, rugged, and well-appointed, the Land Cruiser Heritage Edition lives up to the hype, but why can’t Toyota make a modern radio?
I know, I know, ClubLexus isn’t a Toyota site. But given the quality of the vehicle, not to mention a near-$90,000 MSRP, when Toyota sent us the Land Cruiser Heritage Edition, it felt like we should cover it here too. So, with that out of the way, head over HERE to our sister site, YotaTech, for the FULL REVIEW. But here’s everything Lexus owners need to know when cross-shopping a Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition.
How does the Toyota Land Cruiser Compare to the Lexus LX570?
Neither trucks (SUVs?) are new, nor have they seen massive changes since 2008. So, from a powertrain and reliability standpoint, the Land Cruiser and LX570 remain VERY similar family vehicles. The differences come down to visual aesthetics and interior amenities.
For this reviewer, I prefer the Land Cruiser’s exterior styling. It’s simple and clean and classic. The massive Lexus grille on the LX570 doesn’t work as well for me, personally, as it does on the company’s sports cars (the LC 500, for example, is PERFECT). Your tastes will likely vary.
On this inside, the LX570 offers a more refined experience, one that I prefer, with the Land Cruiser favoring cheaper materials on various touchpoints. The LX570 also boasts a quiet and floaty ride, paying homage to its luxury sedan siblings. The Land Cruiser, by contrast, is bouncier and more tuned for the backcountry action. Still, even though it’s not quite Lexus-luxury, it’s a pretty fancy truck regardless.
And both SUVs are absurdly capable. You can’t go wrong with either truck.
Why Can’t Toyota Make a Modern Radio?
That said, both SUVs suffer in the infotainment department. Yes, it’s low-hanging fruit at this point. And I’m sure everyone who buys one of these trucks learns to live with what they have. Still, it boggles my mind that the LX570 sticks with that late-90s laptop mouse controller interface. Toyota manages a genuine touchscreen, but the whole system lags and pauses and generally stinks at even basic menu navigation. To be very clear, I LOVE both trucks… but, I recently reviewed a $500 aftermarket Sony radio that puts the Land Cruiser’s infotainment system to shame.
Is it the worst thing in the world? No. The 14-speaker JBL system genuinely sounds terrific (that’s coming from an audiophile guy with the 13-speaker Dolby Atmos home entertainment surround sound system). But, for $90,000, Toyota needs to setup up its radio game.
But Overall
Still, despite a wonky infotainment system. Despite the fact that it’s not a Lexus. Despite the fact that it’s an aging powertrain that gets horrible fuel economy. And despite the fact that the Heritage Edition deletes options like the side running boards and third-row seating…
It’s a WONDERFUL truck.
Hands down, the Land Cruiser is a blast to drive. In the city. On the back roads. And from everything I’ve read and watched, it’s also an off-road monster. (We were hoping to test its capabilities for our review, but alas, our local trails were closed during our loaner period due to various state and federal restrictions. #2020)
Should I Buy the Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition?
Given its lack of extra-space, pricing, and off-road pedigree, the Land Cruiser Heritage Edition is ideal for singles, couples, and even families-of-four who blend urban or suburban life with backcountry adventures. Yes, this beast is at home on the trails, diving through mud, and crawling over rocks. But it’s also a sublime city commuter.
It’s peppy, but not fast. Plush, but not fancy. Smooth, but not top-heavy. This truck is simply a joy to drive, soaking up the bumps of the world with ease.
If you can afford it. If you prefer the looks over the Lexus. Buy one today. Highly Recommended!
Photos by Michael S. Palmer
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