Review: 2009 Toyota Land Cruiser
07-12-09, 08:22 AM
#16
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Nice review Mike.
So, you think that vehicles like this may not be around after 4-5 years? Even though there is a niche, do you think the LC/LX will live on?
When the LC was up for a redesign, I thought that it was gonna get the ax; with the LX570 taking it's place. Surprisingly, the LC and the LX were introduced at the same time, with almost the same price tag and little differentiation other than some wood trim and luxury amenities. Was that a good move on ToMoCo's part? Should they just have stuck with the LX only in the U.S?
So, you think that vehicles like this may not be around after 4-5 years? Even though there is a niche, do you think the LC/LX will live on?
When the LC was up for a redesign, I thought that it was gonna get the ax; with the LX570 taking it's place. Surprisingly, the LC and the LX were introduced at the same time, with almost the same price tag and little differentiation other than some wood trim and luxury amenities. Was that a good move on ToMoCo's part? Should they just have stuck with the LX only in the U.S?
Thanks for the nice, detailed review as usual mmarshall
Just hypothetically, if you need such a vehicle, would you pay more to get the LX instead ?
I personally like the exterior appearance of the LC more than the LX, but I prefer the more plush interior of the LX, though not necessarily the interior design.
07-12-09, 08:29 AM
#17
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I think Toyota could sell the Land Cruiser in Canada. There is a big gap between a full loaded Sequoia $68k and a fully loaded Lx570 at $98k....Toyota Canada could price the Land Cruiser right in there at $81k right where the Range Rover sport starts.
07-12-09, 09:54 AM
#18
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Sure...Anytime.
Like most of my reviews, I did this one by specific CL member request.
Probably because some people think that if you're going to spend the kind of money a Land Cruiser costs, you might as well just add a few K more (not that much) and get the Lexus.
there is not too many reviews around for the new Land Cruiser,
it's interesting to see more LX570s out on the road than the Land Cruiser.
07-12-09, 10:07 AM
#19
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Sure. Anytime.
Well, to some extent, a moot point, because even though I could probably afford a more expensive car, I personally, for a number of reasons, wouldn't put more than about 35K or so into a new vehicle, which is half of what an LC runs.
But, to answer your question directly, if I did, I'd probably go with the LC. Its interior is plenty plush for me (though, as I said in the review, the seat leather could be a little smoother), and I like its light-blue dash lights as much or more as the typical Lexus white electroluminescent lighting. I also see little or no need for the LX570's trick electronic height-adjustable suspension (something the LC lacks) except for some of the toughest off-road conditions, which of course, most drivers never see.
Just hypothetically, if you need such a vehicle, would you pay more to get the LX instead ?
But, to answer your question directly, if I did, I'd probably go with the LC. Its interior is plenty plush for me (though, as I said in the review, the seat leather could be a little smoother), and I like its light-blue dash lights as much or more as the typical Lexus white electroluminescent lighting. I also see little or no need for the LX570's trick electronic height-adjustable suspension (something the LC lacks) except for some of the toughest off-road conditions, which of course, most drivers never see.
07-13-09, 07:17 PM
#20
Lexus Fanatic
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Next planned Review, by CL member request: Volvo XC90
The other planned, CL-requested reviews: 2010 Ford Taurus, BMW 550i, Buick LaCrosse, Lexus HS250, and (possibly) BMW 750i are on hold awaiting local availability.
The other planned, CL-requested reviews: 2010 Ford Taurus, BMW 550i, Buick LaCrosse, Lexus HS250, and (possibly) BMW 750i are on hold awaiting local availability.
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-13-09 at 07:28 PM.
07-14-09, 09:35 AM
#23
Lexus Fanatic
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Thanks.
When you look at how this vehicle is designed, constructed, and the level of equipment it provides, you can (perhaps) understand the MSRP, though, granted, it is far more than I would ever spend on a new vehicle.
When you look at how this vehicle is designed, constructed, and the level of equipment it provides, you can (perhaps) understand the MSRP, though, granted, it is far more than I would ever spend on a new vehicle.
07-14-09, 05:30 PM
#26
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07-14-09, 06:43 PM
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Long story short, gasoline engines are becoming more and more efficient, but those efficiency gains are being negated by increase power output to a level it does not need to be at.
07-14-09, 10:18 PM
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But is the need really there?
The 4.7 and 5.7 are about the same MPG and are both Ultra Low.
07-14-09, 10:19 PM
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07-15-09, 06:20 AM
#30
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Car/Truck classifications are rather complex, but done by regulations at three Government organizations....EPA, DOT, and NHTSA (consult their web sites for details). And vehicle size (compact, mid-size, full-size, etc....) is done by measuring INTERIOR volume, not exterior size. That is why the Prius, a small car on the outside, is legally a mid-sized car.