Spy Shots: 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser
by Dan Roth on Jun 28th 2007 at 4:37PM 
We've all been on the edge of our seats since the Lexus LX 570 dropped its (XXL) wraps at the New York auto show, waiting to see how its lesser cousin, the Land Cruiser has turned out. Well, no, we haven't, but Jalopnik has spilled the beans on the newest Bruiser from Toyota. None of Toyota's trucks are what some might consider "attractive," and this latest Cruiser looks like a Highlander with gigantism.From what we can see, the interior is sufficiently luxed-up to keep you air conditioned, leather swaddled, and your $5 coffee-style confectionary swilling till your heart's content. This is the interior that should have gone into the Tundra -- all woodgrain, contrasty and dressed up. The LC's have always had a level of offroad prowess, and this latest revision of the breed will likely be able to head into the softwoods with the proper tires, but we doubt most Land Cruiser consumers will exploit its off-road ability. Since these things are going to be used like station wagons, it's what's inside that counts and this'll be just the thing for riding bumpers and making smaller cars wet themselves from intimidation.
[Source: Jalopnik]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
AfterGasoline 5:02PM (6/28/2007)
I agree, this interior should at least be offered in the Tundra. Maybe they should do like GM; offer the current Tundra interior for people who actually use their truck for working, and offer the interior from the new LC for higher end models.
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EnviroBob 5:01PM (6/28/2007)
Boy, for being such a "Green" company, Toyota sure makes some gas guzzlers.
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H 5:08PM (6/28/2007)
A few comments:
1) no low range buttons or gears? Is this a mall-rated gussied up Sequoia. Where is the 4X4 hardware?
2) No xenons?
3) Headlamps extrude to far out. What happens in the bushes, this these will break
4) Looks like a XLLLL Rav 4.
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The Other Bob 7:46PM (6/28/2007)
It's kinda of silly to ask for low range gears and lower profile lights and then expect Xenons.
Xenons are too expensive to replace when broken during off road or on work duty. This is why many trucks did not offer them.
H 8:02PM (6/28/2007)
Other bob, for $70K, I expect xenons.
The Range Rover has low range, and xenon as STANDARD.
Guenther 8:27AM (6/29/2007)
Where does it say the Cruiser will cost 70k in the US? The LX570 will, and it HAS projector lamps from the picks. I thought it had gas discharge lights. As to the broths on the headlamps- Crikey!That's bloody hideous. Keeping with conventional lights ensures good servicability anywhere, however.
70series would be WAY cool to have here, even in only the wagon version.
If you've never driven a 100 series, stop crying about how s#itty you think this will be.
Jared 9:36AM (6/29/2007)
H: it sure does have a low-range. Look closely at the picture of the center stack. Just below the start-stop button is a rotary switch that is pointed straight up -- that's H4 (full-time 4wd high range). Turn that dial 90 degrees clockwise and the truck is in L4.
Andrew 5:19PM (6/28/2007)
anyone else see hyundai in that?
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Deezee 5:24PM (6/28/2007)
I like Lexus a lot. The LS, and IS are beautiful.
But I dont like this thing. It looks like a giant Rav 4 with tumors all over it.
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Viv 5:40PM (6/28/2007)
Seriously what the hell are those headlights?
You see turds being #1 is not all that easy.
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HotRodzNKustoms 6:38PM (6/28/2007)
Toyota can give the public all sorts of turds like this and Americans will scramble to buy them because Toyota's PR firm is so good at tricking people into buying something that they wouldn't normally buy. Slap a Pontiac badge on that and you would see them all parked into a wall nose first like the Aztec was always backed against a wall.
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Barney 11:17PM (6/28/2007)
"Americans will scramble to buy them because Toyota's PR firm is so good at tricking people .."
If Americans were stupid and as gullible as you suggest, they would buy only American.
Howard Hirsch 9:30AM (7/01/2007)
Actually if you would have driven a Toyota Land Cruiser 100, and were able to compare it to any other similar SUV in the world, you would not make such a comment. If we are to be objective, the Land Cruiser is an outstanding vehicle, being its most important quality, its reliability, second no none. This is perhaps the most important requirement for anybody out there adventuring in the middle of nowhere. Can your 4 year old Aztec take you to the same place and not break down? This is the question you should ask yourself and you will understand why, we prefer the Toyota Land Cruiser, if we can afford it. If someone prefers a Yukon, Patrol, Discovery, Defender, etc.. well.. smile when you see the Land Cruiser come to rescue you.
golferal 6:55PM (6/28/2007)
I'll take a Tahoe or Yukon anyday over this piece of warmed-over crapola. Yay America!
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Johnny 4:44PM (3/15/2009)
That interior looks kinda cheap, in terms of styling, IMO
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Jonathan 7:18PM (6/28/2007)
And the exterior is nothing to get excited about
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Vasili K 4:50PM (6/29/2007)
I agree, it looks like a bloated highlander, which itself looks like a giant RAV4/2000-2007 Highlander with the hidious Tundra grill slapped on it. (Shudder) And whats with new Toyotas with giant center consoles with odd shapes and surfaces (LS, LX, Highlander etc)
willem 7:27PM (6/28/2007)
Another tumorous growth from the Toy company. So much for being "green".... aside from the feeling one gets from looking at such a recall monstrosity.
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Phillip 8:57PM (6/28/2007)
Hey look! another ugly fullsizer from Toyota...
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Bryan 9:18PM (6/28/2007)
Thats it? I know bulgy head/taillights are the in thing lately but thats ridiculous. First it was making the longest most unnecessary lights to the bulgiest. They really have no clue. Guess that matches the buyers perfectly!
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