New 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser Debuts Online, With Pricing
- Competes with: Land Rover Range Rover
- Looks like: The big fish that would swallow a RAV4
- Drivetrain: 381-hp, 5.7-liter V-8 with six-speed automatic; four-wheel drive
- Hits dealerships: October 2007
Car companies usually release new models at major auto shows to get the most exposure possible. Supposedly, today’s online reveal of the all-new 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser is in advance of an auto show in Australia next month, but we’re guessing Toyota just didn’t want to unveil its behemoth SUV in the U.S. right now, when it’s seen as such a green-friendly company.
We’re not slighting this new Land Cruiser, though. The outgoing model had plenty of fans, and we’ve gotten quite a few emails in anticipation of the 2008 version. Nearly everything has been redesigned, from the chassis to the suspension to the bruising 381-hp, 5.7-liter V-8 that we loved in the new Tundra pickup. It takes regular gas and tows up to 8,500 pounds. There’s a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual mode. Mileage is rated at 13/18 mpg city/highway, compared to the aging 2007’s 275-hp V-8 and its 13/17 mpg using less-stringent EPA testing standards, meaning mileage has actually gotten even better than the numbers suggest.
Both the exterior and interior have been retooled nicely, though they’re still a bit on the boring side, and the price gets a bump too — up 12% from last year to $63,200, not including destination charge. The new Land Cruiser is longer, as well, to make more room for the three rows of seats that fit eight people. More photos below.
