GearCulture

At $78,255 it's by no means a cheap option, but, you got a hell of a lot of bang for your buck starting with its ferocious 4x4 381hp 5.7 liter V8 Dual Independent VVT-I engine that gets you to 60mph in a shade over 6 and a half seconds and produces 401 pounds per feet of torque. Its fuel economy is superior to that of the Dodge Durango and Chevrolet Tahoe, giving you 13 miles to the gallon in town and on the highway, 18. The transmission is a 6 speed automatic sequential shift, plus a 5 speed Crawl control and off-road assist system that makes this one of the finest performers in the dirt on the market and even on the tarmac it has few peers.

You can pick from seven colors for your Land Cruiser - Classic Silver Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Salsa Red Pearl, Sonora Gold Pearl, Amazon Green Metallic, Blizzard Pearl and Black and in the back a DVD entertainment system comes as standard so need to worry about keeping the kids amused. Other standard features include a premium navigation system with Entune and JBL Synthesis, USB, Bluetooth, HD radio, rain-sensing windshield wipers, 4 exterior cameras, 360 degree multi-terrain monitoring, heated seats and a keyless start and entry. It also fits eight instead of the usual seven for vehicles in this class and the third seat row folds for extra storage. It's an incredibly comfortable design.

Safety, as always, is paramount with Toyota, and regardless of the security of the SUV's body-on design and sheer size and bulk, it's full of airbags and boasts other high-tech safety systems such as stability control, anti-lock brakes, tire-pressure monitor and a very, very clever pre-collision system which will sense any imminent fast approaching objects - such as a wall or out of control car - and adjust the seatbelts accordingly.

But what really stands out is the Land Cruiser’s ruggedness and trail capabilities. Its towing capacity surpasses even that of the Land Rover HSE Lux at 8,200 pounds and the trailer sway mode further enhances stability. Its clever suspension will automatically adapt when you leave a sealed surface and the rear springs then allow for nearly ten inches of movement over those rocks. A regal, weighty, beast of a vehicle that makes you feel king of the road, both on, and off. 

Prices for the Regular Cab model, depending on which engine, drive and options you go for range from $25,355 to $30,880, for the Double Cab you’re looking at $27,710 - $41,260 and for the Crew Max expect to pay between $30,535 and $48,070. The Crew Max’s cab is also the largest of all half-tons on the market and the 5.7 liter version is one of the finest engines out there too. All are available in a range of nine colors: Barcelona Red Metallic, Radiant Red, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Pyrite Mica, Spruce Mica, Nautical Blue Metallic, Super White, Silver Metallic and Black. Cargo bed lengths are available in lengths of between 6.5 to 8 feet.

Inside the trucks, with the workman in mind, all controls have been designed to be easily handled even while wearing gloves and there are bags of storage along with dual-zone air conditioning, two 12V power outlets and a choice of bucket or bench front seats. Optional extras include leather interior, a back-up camera and navigation and Entune multimedia systems.

The Tundra’s huge grille, sculpted hood and bulging bumpers offer a real air of macho menace and the brake override technology and anti-locking front braking system offers awesome stopping power equivalent to Dirty Harry’s smoking Magnum. Furthermore, the optional TRD off-road package includes Bilstein shocks, front tow hooks, skid plates and customized 17, 18 or 20 inch wheels. A power sliding rear window and funky Moonroof can also be added.

The body-on frame design is mounted on a Prado platform that incorporates high mounted double wishbone front suspension and four link rear suspension for extra comfort, strength and handling either off road or on and the vehicle’s trailer sway control system means that whether you’re towing a weekday workload, jet-skis for that weekend jaunt, or a space shuttle, the Toyota Tundra will always have your back.

The first model, the SR5 comes with a 5 speed automatic shift as standard along with an integrated towing receiver harness and powered rear lift-gate window. The rear two-wheel drive costs $31, 340 and the four-wheel will set you back $33,215.

The Trail, a 4x4 as standard, comes with an electric locking rear differential system, water resistant seating surfaces and multi-terrain controls. Optional extras include a hood scoop, unique 17 inch alloy wheels, front and rear bumper guards and stylish smoked head and tail lights. The transmission is a 5 speed sequential shift and it costs $37,005.

The Toyota 4 Runner Limited is priced at $38,845 for the 4x2 and for the 4x4 $40,880. It too boasts a 5 speed automatic sequential shift and its mightily impressive engine is a 4 liter V6 Dual VVT-i. The wheels are 20-inch 6 spoke alloys and inside the upholstery is leather and dual zone automatic climate control comes as standard.

Five colors are available throughout the range, imaginatively titled, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Salsa Red Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Black and Blizzard Pearl, which costs extra and roof racks are fitted as standard. Inside there’s a CD player with iPod connection, 12 airbags and room for seven bodies, but the 2^nd and 3^rd rows of seats are foldable for added storage. Roll over sensors are standard too and optional extras include a navigation system, an Entune multimedia system, dual zone climate control and a back-up camera.

The body-on frame design is similar to that endorsed by trucks, mounted on a Prado platform that incorporates high mounted double wishbone front suspension and four link rear suspension plus the stability and traction control further enhance the vehicle’s off-road capabilities. The A-TRAC system even distributes power to a certain wheel if the other three are slipping and the terrain selection system enables the driver to align drive train settings to off-road conditions. All of these things with the addition of the crawl mode and Downhill Ascent Control mean that the Toyota 4 Runner will make the very lightest of work in the very toughest of driving environments.

The Regular Cab version is priced between $17,325 and $22,505, depending on the options. It comes with a 2.7liter 4 cylinder engine as standard and is available in a two and four wheel drive. It has side and seat mounted airbags, a tire monitor system and a choice of a 4 speed automatic shift or 5 speed manual.

The Access Cab comes with power windows and door locks, fold-up rear seating and a large rear hinge access door. Again, both two and four wheel drive options are available, with 4-6 speed manual and automatic transmissions and either a 2.7 liter 4 cylinder engine or a 4 liter V6. Will cost $20,315 - $26,585.

The Double Cab boasts the same choice of gears and engine sizes as the Access and likewise a two or four wheel option. The front seats have a center console, there are power windows, locks and mirrors along with a full rear 60/40 split bench seat and this one’s priced from $22,425 to $28,085.

The X Runner, costing $26,675, is a 4x2 as standard with a 4 liter V6 under the hood. It’s a 6 speed manual transmission and comes with x-brace tunnel suspension, 18” alloys, Bridgestone Potenza tires and color keyed exterior and body kit.

The models are available in a range of 8 colors: Super White, Barcelona Red Metallic, Pyrite Mica, Black, Silver Streak Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Spruce Mica and Nautical Metallic Blue. There’s a 115V power outlet and as for the cargo bed, be as rough with it as you please – it’s fitted with a dent-resistant liner.

Inside there’s a back-up camera with a rear-mirror mounted screen and a tilt and telescopic steering wheel frame for further comfort. Optional extras include power windows, climate control and a leather steering wheel grip.

The TRD off-road package offers progressive-rate front springs, Bilstein shocks, B F Goodrich Trail Tires and 16” alloys. For those less concerned with dirt-track antics, the Sports Package supplies street-tuned suspension, low profile tires and 17 inch rims. A further Limited Package is up for grabs too with simulated leather upholstery, heated seats and chrome wheels, grille border and bumpers.

As with all of Toyota’s toughies, the body-on frame design fixed upon a Prado platform with high mounted double wishbone front suspension and four link rear suspensions offer the smoothest ride over all terrains. This, along with the Star Safety System as standard, which includes automatic limited-slip differential, stability control, anti-locking assisted brakes and traction control, makes the Toyota Tacoma also one of the safest, surest drives there is and perfect for both work and play.

It certainly proves that there’s more to Toyota than the Prius, who are keen to highlight that they’re capable of doing off-road as well as anybody and the Cruiser’s short base handles all terrains, no matter how rocky, sandy or steep the hills. It’s available in three models, the 4x2 AT is a five speed automatic rear wheel drive and costs $26,880 and two 4x4 models, the MT and AT, with the manual priced at $28,060 and the automatic transmission $28,470.

All come equipped with a 4 liter V6 280 HP engine that can hit 60 miles per hour in a not-so-shy seven and a half seconds. It boasts 272 pounds per feet of torque and beneath the hood you’ll find a cyclone pre-air cleaner that traps the dirt and sand – especially handy when you leave the safety of those tarmacked roads.

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is designed with wraparound rear quarter windows for optimum visibility and the front windshield even has three wipers. At the back there’s rear-hinged access doors and a swing gate with a spare tire. The power side mirrors come with turn-signal indicators as standard. You can pick a from a choice of six colors, all ruggedly named: iceberg, army green, magma white, quicksand, cavalry blue, and good ol’ black, and all with a cool contrasting white roof.

Inside you’ll find climate control technology and water-resistant seating surfaces - especially handy when you hit those off-road bumps. Your ears are in for a real treat too with the top notch stereo and the hands-free Bluetooth enables calls and music streaming.

For ultimate attitude, available with the 4x4 models only, the Trail Teams Special Edition Package boasts a mean cement gray exterior with a unique color-coded roof, a blacked-out grille, bumpers and door handles. It features Active Traction Control, Crawl Control and 16 inch off-road wheels with a matt black finish. The trail-tuned Bilstein shocks, rock rails and electronically controlled locking rear differential will make light work of all of your off-road endeavors.

That aside, all models will still hold their own in the dirt. The body-on frame design is similar to that endorsed by trucks, mounted on a Prado platform that incorporates high mounted double wishbone front suspension and four link rear suspension. Air disc anti-lock brakes, an electronic stabilizing system and Toyota’s star safety system means that you’ll be in very good hands and its 5,000 pound towing system ensures that your fellow off-roaders in lesser vehicles will be very glad of your presence if they get stuck.