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April 17th, 1998
 LandCruiser GXV : you might as well be comfortable |
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 At the official launch
of the100 Series LandCruiser, it was hard to disagree with Toyota's claim that this
vehicle "set new benchmarks for safety, comfort, space, performance and
features".Most certainly an all-new Cruiser with improved suspension, stronger chassis and a more aerodynamic body, and it seemed even newer when I finally got into one for a few days. Especially since the test vehicle was the top-spec GXV, powered by the Lexus-derived V8.
It's significant that GXV `Cruiser is literally the basis of the recently announced Lexus LX470 4WD, because its first - and strongest - impression is the quietness. Wind rustle, road rumble and engine noise are all very subdued, to the point of being able to enjoy the excellent stereo in a 4WD that feels more luxury saloon than rugged offroader. There's a pleasant ambience inside, with ample space and attractive velour trim, and the niceties of climate control air, power windows/mirrors, a 6-disk CD stacker and leather wrapping for the steering wheel and shift lever. Which does make it seem strange that leather trim is not available even as an option. Something extra for the LX470?
The 100 Series has front seatbelt pretensioners as standard equipment, with dual airbags and ABS brakes an additional standard fitment in GXV. The driver gets a very comfortable seat with manual adjustments for everything - except the power lumbar adjuster. Odd choice… but GXV is a true seven-seater that carries (confirmed after an hilarious cup-counting expedition) an impressive seven cup-holders. To avoid spillages we stayed on bitumen, where the majority of GXV `Cruisers are likely to spend most of their lives anyway, and found it very civilised in its handling and general demeanour. This vehicle could become a favourite component of many retirement packages. Aware of the rack and pinion steering, its response initially seemed a bit lazy - until it was remembered that we were not in a luxury saloon, or a nimble little sports coupe, but a 4WD wagon weighing over 2.25 tonnes.
The anti-lock brakes are a factor in that, so it was encouraging to find that the ABS worked equally well on gravel. Its sensors cope admirably with the sudden traction-loss induced by all those little ball-bearings under the tyres. But the GXV's strongest point must surely be its V8 engine, a silky-smooth device that delivers its healthy power and torque with barely a murmer unless the throttle is pressed harder. Then it begins emitting a purposeful growl and can make the big wagon seem almost light-weight. The V8 delivers seamless acceleration through its exceptionally smooth 4-speed auto, and returned an average consumption on test of 15.5 L/100km (18mpg). Bigger, quieter and more refined than the model it replaced, the 100 Series LandCruiser is described in Toyota market-speak as "King Off The Road". Refraining from any `serious' offroading in deference to the nice shiny paintwork, we kept the GXV Cruiser firmly on the bitumen apart from one or two forays onto gravel, so we'll take their word for that at this point. But regardless of where you take it, there's going to be precious little discomfort involved.
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A high-tech 4.7
litre quad-cam unit, the V8 is only one of the differences between GXV and its
stablemates.The first LandCruiser with independent front suspension (using torsion bars),
GXV is also the first with rack and pinion steering. 
All controls are
located for ease of use, just where any Toyota driver expects them to be, yet the
dashboard has somehow managed to escape much of the generic `family-look'. And the double
sunvisors get top marks for simply doing their job so well.
It was noted that
the big `Cruiser might heel over a bit if asked to change direction rapidly at speed, but
the overall feeling is one of assured handling, especially on wet roads.
Nuts-N-Bolts
: 100 Series LandCruiser GXV