The revised Toyota Land Cruiser 200 and Lexus LX ranges for 2016 were launched in Clarens, Free State, this week. Featuring substantial design revisions and a marked increase in luxury features for the Toyota specifically, the duo is hitting the super-luxury SUV segment with what are great efforts from the Japanese brands.
New Toyota Land Cruiser 200
With a brand new face and other exterior design tweaks, the updated Toyota Land Cruiser 200, which in its current form initially appeared back in 2007, is available in two model grades. Both GX and VX models feature a 4.5-litre turbocharged diesel V8 engine (173 kW and 615 Nm), 6-speed automatic transmissions and are the last word in enormous proportions and off-road ability. The GX model is aimed more at the less-sophisticated agricultural/off-road markets and features far fewer fancy extras, a snorkel and a split-opening tailgate, while the VX is targeted squarely at the rich and pompous who just can’t stop believing in that Toyota badge.
Luxury features abound inside the VX, where a new, large touch screen interface is framed by a modern centre stack and a smorgasbord of buttons – some of which relate to the four-wheel drive system. Smart safety-related extras fitted as standard include lane-keeping assistance, blind spot information, rear cross traffic alert, pre-crash collision mitigation, bi-LED headlights with auto high beam assistance and radar-guided adaptive cruise control for the first time on a local Toyota.
A wireless charging pad for QI-enabled devices is also a new feature on the VX, and it works well.
The full-time four-wheel drive system continues to feature a centre locking differential, as well as an adjustable crawl mode, a multi-terrain selection system and a new 360-degree camera system which includes an ‘underfloor view’ whereby the ground in front of the ‘Cruiser is photographed before the vehicle travels forwards, the resultant image being displayed when the car moves over the spot ahead.
To drive, the new Land Cruiser 200 is of course rather grand. Ride quality is good, despite the ladder frame chassis, and power delivery can go from lazy and lethargic to immediate and punchy at the touch of a button. Having driven the LC200 through Golden Gate Highlands National Park, both on- and off-road, it remains a very comfortable and capable mode of transport, regardless of the existence of a tarred surface. My only real bugbear was that, at speed, the steering is far too light and almost completely devoid of feel, which can catch the driver off-guard when entering a corner as the nigh-three-ton vehicle’s weight shifts to the outside.
New Lexus LX in diesel and petrol
To try and find an SUV which can shovel other vehicles out of your lane on the freeway better than the new Lexus LX is going to be difficult. Featuring the largest and most outrageous interpretation of Lexus’ spindle grille ever, the new LX really has immense presence on the road. And, thankfully, the updated design now separates the Lexus from its Toyota sibling better than ever before, the new face and angular, elongated tail lights definitely giving the LX its own sense of purpose.
Inside, the Lexus interior design formula has been exceptionally well-applied, and the enormous 12.3-inch central display screen is extremely classy.
Available for the first time with the same – albeit slightly more powerful with 195 kW and 650 Nm – diesel V8 and 6-speed automatic ‘box as the LC200 (LX 450d) or the existing 5.7-litre petrol V8 (270 kW and 530 Nm, mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox in the LX 570), the Lexus is more supple on the road and feels less fidgety compared to the Toyota. The light steering remains a niggle, however.
Interestingly, the Lexus is not available with radar-guided adaptive cruise control, which according to Toyota SA in its Lexus form is not yet compatible with South African frequencies. Also, the diesel LX forfeits the two extra seats in the boot – standard on the LC200 – in favour of an extra fuel tank (148 litres in total), while the petrol LX features seven seats and a single, 93-litre tank. Interesting choices, there.
Regardless however, the Lexus is a pure poser’s car, what with its enormous 20-inch wheels and bling-bling design. The Toyota remains exceptionally good in almost every respect, and will continue to appeal to the brand-loyal customers who just refuse to spend a bit more and buy a Range Rover. It’s smart and extremely well-kitted, without the badge-snobbery so common in the market today.
Ranges overview
Toyota Land Cruiser 200 GX R850 000
Toyota Land Cruiser 200 VX R1 141 700
Pricing includes a 3-year/ 100 000 km warranty and a 5-year/ 90 000 km service plan.
Lexus LX 450d R1 393 000
Lexus LX 570 R1 435 100
Pricing includes a 4-year/ 100 000 km full maintenance plan.
