In production since 1951, the Land Cruiser is the longest running nameplate in Toyota's history and one of the most popular and capable (upper-class) 4x4s in the market. Following the release of the refreshed and slightly more luxurious North American cousin of the Land Cruiser Prado, the2014 Lexus GX, on Friday, it’s time for Toyota to do the same for its model.
The facelifted, standard wheelbase Land Cruiser, which in some markets carries the Prado moniker to tell it apart from the longer and bigger Land Cruiser 200 (or V8 in other regions), debuts with a number of exterior and interior styling revisions, plus safety and technology upgrades, while keeping the same range of 4.0-liter petrol and 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engines.
The biggest and most noticeable change is the redesigned front end with new teardrop-style headlight clusters that may be equipped with either halogen or new LED headlamps, the latter incorporating LED daytime running lights, a wider grille with big chrome fangs, and re-worked hood and bumper designs.
Toyota says that the new front end increased the length of both the 3-door and 5-door models by 20mm (0.79 inches) to 4,335 mm (170.7-inches) and 4,780 mm (188.2-inches) respectively, without changing the 4x4's 32 degree off-road approach angle and minimum turning circle. Both the 25 degree departure and 22 degree ramp breakover angles also remain identical to those of the outgoing model.
Moving on to the rear, there are new tail lamp clusters with clear and red lens and a more prominent license plate garnish. A new selection of 17-inch and 18-inch alloy wheels (the latter also available in steel), along with a four new body colors named Attitude Black Mica, Bronze Mica Metallic, Dark Green Mica and Dark Blue Mica, complete the exterior revisions.
Beneath the metal skin, Toyota says the facelifted Land Cruiser (Prado) gains a new center console upper panel, a new off- and on-road driving control switch panel, a new Optitron meter design with a 4.2-inch colour TFT multi-information display on the instrument binnacle, enhanced dashboard and door trim and ornamentation, improved second and third row seat designs with new fabrics, and new interior color schemes (Black and Ivory).
In regards to the seats, the forward folding angle of the second row seats has been increased from 33.8 degrees to 46 degrees to improve ease of entry and exit for third row seat users, while seat heating is now available for the outside second row seats as well.
Added safety upgrades across the range include a trailer sway control and emergency brake signal.
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