2016 Land Cruiser – Toyota Updates a Classic

The 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser gets some new technology.

In one form or another, Toyota has been selling its LandCruiser in the U.S. since 1957. Once, a utilitarian off-road Jeep from Japan the eight-passenger Land Cruiser has morphed into the image of a Range Rover, but with Toyota’s legendary value and reliability. For 2016, the exterior is changed, but it is the changes under the skin that really matter.

Toyota is in the process of rolling out the industry’s most affordable active safety equipment. Toyota is the brand with the most 2015 Top Safety Pick Plus-rated vehicles, and also the company with the most models with zero driver deaths in IIHS’ analysis. The 2016 Land Cruiser will now be one of the safest large SUVs available due to its standard safety suite. Toyota will include its Safety-Sense-P package for 2016. That means the vehicle will have a Pre-Collision System, Frontal Collision Avoidance and Pedestrian Protection. Since there are no options on the Land Cruiser – everything is included, the Safety Sense package will not cost buyers more and won’t be left off any models. Blind-spot monitoring, a back-up camera, lane departure alert, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are also standard.

Toyota’s V8, with 381 hp is still standard, but now it will have an eight-speed automatic transmission (a first for Toyota). Max tow rating is 8,500 pounds. Trailer brake control and a trailer anti-sway syetm is standard. Fuel efficiency is now 15 MPG combined.

Most of the other updates are cosmetic on the 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser.