2007 Toyota Land Cruiser Wagon (610)

Overview:

This week we’re looking at the 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser Wagon. Bravo Toyota for last weeks FJ experience but this week is Ho-hum week. After the exciting experience of a well priced fun and exciting sporty SUV this luxury SUV is sure to put me to sleep. The difference between the two parallels the difference between a guy who climbs to the top of the mountain and meets a guy at the top who was dropped off from his helicopter. Depending on your view point you may consider the first guy is ‘alive and exciting’ and the other is ‘married to Anna Nicole Smith’.

For every ass there is a seat, it is said, and this Land Cruiser is obviously made for those who live in the lap of luxury and want all the comforts of home in the car their chauffeur drives. Leather seats, dash board and steering wheel are all nice and go well with the plush carpet. The desire for luxury is the other side of reality, necessity and need. This Land Cruiser is yet another ‘want’ some feel must be satisfied. But the prices in this category of SUV are obscene. Ok so I’m being a little critically sarcastic but it’s fun poking fun at the rich and famous. In any case I’m not the first and won’t be the last. Shopping places like “The Price of His Toys” or statements like “what do you buy for a person who has everything?” pokes a little fun at those who are pampered and out of touch with most of us who do in fact live in the real world.

Handling & Performance:

A big V8 captures 275 horses to do the pulling and pushing for maximum response as you press the gas pedal. Speed isn’t the intended purpose of this Toyota but it is fast, and of course very comfortable to drive as you’d expect of a well behaved well bred vehicle.

It has a height control for Hi N(ormal) and Lo settings for cruising to off roading. But no matter what goodies and gadgets they put on this truck the fuel consumption is piss poor. It is nothing short of appalling in these times. And it isn’t just the price of gas but when you can literally watch the needle move as you drive it is maddening.

Styling:

Rather plain and uninteresting and some might even say boring.

Fit and Finish:

Quite! I think these Japanese chaps attended Oxford .

Cost:

Wow. Is this really necessary? Do we live in la-la land or what. I have driven about every car ever made after 1925, and I’m more convinced than ever that we spend way too much time, effort and energy worshiping the automobile. We attribute too much value to this form of transportation because we are mesmerized by the whole marketing con game. I suggest we all get a grip and determine what it is that we really NEED and become less moved by what advertisers tell us we should want. We really need to fall in love for our own reasons – not theirs.

Conveniences:

Embarrassing don’t you think? But I guess we all enjoy climate control for automatic comfort, leather everywhere, tape deck and a multi-disc CD player in the console and plush carpet like home. And of course what would home be like without an entertainment system to shut the kids up on those long trips.

Consumer Recommendation:

Don’t grow so old so quickly. Look closely at the Toyota FJ, buy it and go hang gliding to celebrate your Independence Day decision.

Recognized Competition:

Toyota Land Cruiser $56,215, Hummer H1 Alpha $128-140,000, Mercedes Benz M-Class $40-49,000, Land Rover Range Rover $74-89,000, Land Rover Range Rover Sport $56-69,000, Lincoln Navigator $49-55,000, Hummer H2 $53,000, Lexus LX 470 $67,395, BMW X5 $43-71,000, 2007 Cadillac Escalade $54-59,000, 2007 GMC Yukon Denali $47-50,000, 2007 Chevrolet Suburban $36-48,000 and 2007 Ford Expedition $ – unavailable.

Good News:

Verrrry comfortable, lots of gadgets including an entertainment system for the children in the rear with silver spoons in their mouths.

Bad News:

Terrible fuel consumption – no economy in this thirsty beast, very pricey beyond value.

Standard Equipment:

4.7 liter 275 hp V8 engine, 5-speed auto trans, full time four wheel drive, locking differential, double wishbone independent front suspension with 4-Link coil spring rear suspension, 4-wheel ventilated ABS power assist disc brake system, transmission oil cooler, 18 inch allow wheels, vehicle skid control, dual air bags, side impact door beans, daytime running lights, moon roof / fog lights, 8 passenger leather seating, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, front and rear climate control, JBL 3-in-1 AM/FM with Cassette, 6 disc CD with 7 speakers, rear seat audio.

Gas Stats:

13 City and 17 Highway MPG
(I had difficulty getting 14 mpg on the road)

Pricing:

MSRP $55,815.