1997 Toyota Landcruiser 80 Series VX Amazon Turbo Diesel - Review, Walkaround and Test Drive!

“In this episode of the Luxury Car Report the perfect mixture of luxury and utility. Enjoy the winter special of the '97 #Toyota #Land #Cruiser!"
Our tester for this episode is a raw beast, equipped with 4.2 liter inline six turbo #diesel engine. While 170 hp and 280 lb ft of torque for pulling 5000 pounds of car doesn’t make it a spectacularly fast car, it is hard to beat its off-road performance. And additionally to its own weight, you can hook up a whopping 7.700 pound trailer to this thing! That’s another Land Cruiser and a half.
The Land Cruiser is Toyota’s longest running series and it dates all the way back to 1941. This particular vehicle series, the Land Cruiser J80, was built from 1990 to 1998 and came initially in 2 trim levels: an entry level model and the loaded VX. We’re testing the VX Amazon!
So what would best define the Land Cruiser? Is it an off-road utility vehicle, or a luxury car? It really is both, or maybe neither. It has most of the luxuries on board one could dream of in 1997, so it is far from pure utilitarian. At the same time, it isn’t really refined either and those luxuries aren’t in the way of its off-road performance.
"So the way this thing drives is… well first of all, it’s a huge diesel, so it feels sort of like a van or, more like a bus actually. And the steering is quite vague. It’s very mushy. If I steer like this, nothing really happens."
And the Toyota Land Cruiser is huuuge, which makes it hard to maneuver in tight spots.
"And now I have to turn this beast around, which is quite a challenge on itself. You hear this alarm? This is really a bus!"
On the other hand, with a tank like this Land Cruiser, you can also just opt to go straight ahead wherever you go.
“So how is more than 4 liters of diesel? Well I wouldn’t say its fast, but it doesn’t lack any power either.”
The 4.2 diesel pulls the Land Cruiser from 0 - 60 in 12.7 seconds which isn’t spectacular, but we’d say is adequate for this kind of car.
"Actually, the diesel engine is more powerful than I thought, because I forgot to release the hand brake."
Apart from posing a bit of a challenge at the mall parking lot, the big size of the Land Cruiser translates to lots of utility. You can use the enormous space to move almost anything! And not just cargo…
"Our 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser is a five plus two seater, expandable with two removable seats… that lock into place in the trunk."
With all seats moved out of the way, the Land Cruiser provides a massive 90.9 cubic feet of cargo space, equaling 2574 liters. And look at the fancy hooks they’ve created to secure all the folded seats!
The passenger area is less spacious than you’d expect from such a large car. Actually, being 6 foot 8, it was even a bit cramped for me.
We had no complaints about the plush leather seats however. These feel right in place with a luxury SUV! The driver’s seat is equipped with more luxury that you’d expect from a workhorse like this. It has adjustable seats including an adjustable lumbar support. The steering wheel is also adjustable to match each individual, small or tall. In the rear you don’t have to fight over the armrest anymore, because there are 2!
We were also impressed by the accuracy of the faux wood; the different pattern around the ash tray made it look sophisticated. Until you open it, that is.
"This car is really a man’s dream, because: so many buttons!"
The dashboard of the 1997 Land Cruiser is full of fancy gadgets like a 14-button automatic climate control, auto antenna, radio with cassette and CD player, a digital clock, the button for the diff lock, and this one also has an aftermarket DB radio built in. And look at these fancy sliding windows in the back! Our Land Cruiser also features an automatic moonroof.
The rear door can be opened in two sections, which makes it easy to load long, flat cargo, or to relax a little.
Another thing that can be opened in two sections is the front arm rest. This provides a lot of storage while keeping your stuff easy to reach.
So... What is our conclusion?
If you want a compact and economical car to get some groceries... Wait. Why would you want that? This car is the real deal, you’re going to get groceries with this car if you're throwing a party, a big party. This car is meant to be rough, in a comfortable fashion.
“I hope you got a good impression about the '97 Land Cruiser. Don't forget to subscribe and check us out on Facebook!”

[@tadficuscactus]

This is one of my dream cars.

[@briandelaney5283]

We didn’t have the deasal bit this is the best car we ever had. It did eventually need all rubber replacements which was done and we shipped it to a garage in Guatemala. We miss her here but we know when we go to Guatemala she is there waiting for us. Best “truckie” ever.

[@rawdyrider]

Best 4x4 ever made

[@user-yr4yd9iv9t]

This 4.2litre desiel is the best of all time,they created a Legend,all respect to Toyota

[@turbocompound]

Best 4x4 ever ....👍⚡️❤️....!

[@hamza89868]

Man this inline sounds better than these days v8's

[@user-yr4yd9iv9t]

It's just a fantastic SUV of all time

[@LostandFoundTravel]

Huge by 97 standards. I feel like a Suzuki Sidekick next to Super Duty pickups.

[@LCR]

True, the super duties are massive, especially the dually ones.

[@LostandFoundTravel]

Legit - safe travels@@LCR

[@NKPGarage]

I'm not a huge fan of too much wood in a vehicle. But those door panels with the all wood strips at the top actually look really great.

[@luxembourgtbonbon4376]

Believed it or not !. It is the best of the best powerfully powerful one !.. I liked it Specifically the manually one !..

[@yaaserfarjar8071]

Best car in the world

[@luxembourgtbonbon7190]

Great performances like you've been said!. It's a Land Cruiser and 1/2!..

[@alvineff]

I had a 100 series, but no doubt this one is the most capable one

[@scotteppers]

80 series, 40 series 45 series The beautiful lady, the Iron Pig 55 series. With respect, I disagree with your comment sir. 100 series is definetly very good. It's just not the above, in my opinion. 😊

[@scotteppers]

I read your comment wrong friend.

[@Queensizemusic]

My favorite car of all time, the FZJ80 ticks all the boxes.

[@LCR]

Hi Larry, we found this to be a really great car too. And this generation still looks very tough, like a real terrain vehicle. The only downside is its mileage; we got around 20 mpg on diesel.

[@Queensizemusic]

Coming from the America, I can only dream of diesel FZJ80! We only received the petrol version, which gets an abysmal 11-13 mpg!!

[@LCR]

We did not even get 20 mpg with the diesel, but 12 mpg on average really sends your money down the drain. I must say I was pleasantly surprised by the Ford Expedition, which did >24 mpg on average (on regular gas).

[@sexynamesmiff5917]

larry the diesels are not called FZJ80 they are called HDJ80 in

[@bikerman6907]

Luxury Car Report your car cannot be in top nick with a millage like that..... 20mpg is like 14l pr 100km...... my LC HDJ 80 does around 9/10l pr 100km, it has been tuned with 3 inch turbo back exhaust, Safari intercooler, more boost, adjusted pump, new injectors..

[@danielmagdziarz7440]

Very professionally made video, enjoyed watching it!

[@danielmagdziarz7440]

Great reply!

[@LCR]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@teodorgrajdian8211]

@@LCR name of the song please!

[@LCR]

@@teodorgrajdian8211 The song is called 'Modern Challange' and was released by Music 2 Hues.

[@teodorgrajdian8211]

@@LCR I can t find it!

[@user-rf4mz6rd3g]

Very nice film about TLC 80👍👍👍🇯🇵💯. Beauty Cruiser⚙💪. Good luck!🤝

[@LCR]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@user-rf4mz6rd3g]

@@LCR Hi🤝. When els will film about toyota? We are wait.👍

[@LCR]

@Сергей Булатошкин We currently have no new Toyota videos planned. If a new Toyota report is made, it will show up in the Toyota playlist! Please subscribe and watch the playlist to be the first to see new Toyota videos as soon as they are published! Thank you.

[@alexanderrosales7675]

My dream car

[@kaisdz8211]

super video merci toyota hdj 80 king of the road and offroad

[@LCR]

+moutik scania Thank you for watching!

[@jetstream454]

Great video. If you haven't already I'd consider replacing the viscous fan clutch, as it is spinning up through the whole rev range.

[@LCR]

Thank you for watching! Thank you for the advice, but I don't own the vehicle. It's a good tip for owners who may watch this video though.

[@TOYOTA.Overland]

Nice introduction, nice video. Pitty that nice LC80 are usually only RHD now. Nice LHD start to be very very rare.

[@LCR]

Thank you! We're glad you liked it! Unfortunately especially the diesels are being driven a lot of miles.

[@sankara6823]

6ft8.. you should be in the nba my friend not reviewing cars on youtube

[@TrueDaturaMindNz]

not everyone whos tall is good at sports lol

[@user-charlieccchong]

Cool presentation. Keep it up!

[@LCR]

Thank you!

[@elmeracobamamaril5653]

Awesome toyota ever

[@colinaglae2605]

HDJ 81..........the Beast !!

[@LCR]

It certainly is a beast!

[@aghaabbas1]

HD-T brother. Correct me if I'm wrong. I like to learn. Best!

[@LCR]

The HD-T is the older model; this is indeed an HDJ81.

[@igorv4631]

@@LCR 81 means it's JDM?

[@kadridjouad7268]

Nice car Toyota Land cruiser fj80

[@rocky27254]

good and detail review please make video of 2002 landcruiser vx

[@LCR]

+summer jung chhetri Thank you! Will do when we come across one!

[@romeomatadi-mushipe8946]

land cruiser @ heart ............ l love it

[@LCR]

Glad you enjoyed! Landcruisers are awesome solid machines!

[@romeomatadi-mushipe8946]

yes.........they are the best

[@muxamedkodar2218]

god car 1997

[@wesammansour1486]

Sorry,but the LC started in 1951 not 1941.. Great video!

[@LCR]

Thank you! You are right that that is when the first model came out. The idea to create a Japanese "jeep" originated in 1941, when the Japanese army found an American army jeep.

[@wesammansour1486]

@@LCR my pleasure

[@somefella3303]

Jeez your a big boi.

[@pennsyltuckyden9823]

Did you notice 199k on the odo? Barley broken in.

[@LCR]

Yes, this Land Cruiser is in its infant years! We'll celebrate it's midlife crisis when it hits a million.

[@scotteppers]

I have 334K on my 97..FZJ80... 😊😊😊/Gallon.

[@jamescalalo]

look how tall the shifter is

[@ne1273]

That would fetch $40k over here in Australia!!!!

[@LCR]

Wow! How so?

[@ne1273]

Luxury Car Report, any immaculate 80 series, with HD-FT 24v engine fetches huge money. They normally have on average 450,000 k’s and in average condition, then still fetch $25k. Massive following over here and regarded as the best model ever made.

[@LCR]

We definitely need to get this thing over there!

[@luxembourgtbonbon7190]

Marvelous!. I liked it!. Can I have it?.

[@user-xo6pe8jk4g]

Доброго времени суток, я конечно не понимаю по вашему но уважаю ваш язык . Машинка супер и я хотел бы именно такого же красавца и как его можно купить за ранее спасибо.

[@user-jj9rv8fl5q]

Лайкотос и Уважуха Сразу за Охуенный Авто !!

[@abidnessman]

I'm 6'5" so thanks for the heads-up you might say! MPG helpful? Does it run on Type 1 and Type 2 diesel?

[@LCR]

You are welcome! We didn't measure the exact mpg but it is not very good, especially for a diesel. We averaged about 20 mpg.

[@LCR]

That's true Nathan, but considering that at least here in GA diesel is a dollar per gallon more expensive than gasoline, it may not be saving you any money (on top of the extra money for maintenance of a diesel).

[@Dean_matongera]

1HD-FT

[@cal48koho]

He calls it huge. Not really. Compared to a corolla, perhaps. The length of my camry wagon, much lighter than my cummins pickup with half the tow capacity.Solid axles front and rear does make for durability but not handling.

[@luxembourgtbonbon4376]

Can I have one liked it ?.

[@ryanlucascarrasco]

I want

[@alexandermin2109]

Cool!!!!!!

[@LCR]

😁

[@boqorkatogdheer5051]

Very very car 👏👏👏👏👏

[@luxembourgtbonbon4376]

Or this one ?.

[@TommyRahmawan]

Do the 200 series or the 70 series

[@scotteppers]

This video is of an 80 series

[@scotteppers]

😊

[@sebas0608459]

en toen was de sneeuw te hoog :P

[@Mike7O7O]

'Hard to manoeuvre in tight spots'? Yeh. If you're a schoolgirl. :/

[@LCR]

LOL

[@marklim2140]

Is this one RHD? Diesel? How much?

[@LCR]

Yes, it's RHD indeed and it's a diesel. How much in terms of price/value? Gorgeous Mustang in your avatar by the way!

[@marklim2140]

Is this one for sell? Where this car locates? thanks

[@LCR]

It's located in Holland, but the owner currently has no plans to sell it.

[@fahada4478]

👍👍👍

[@T25de]

I’m in the market for one of these! I am selling 2000 land cruiser, 2001 land cruiser and 2002 Lx 470, hurry up and buy!

[@bucketlisttrek3863]

That causing global warming.haha

[@LCR]

Maybe global, but locally it was freezing cold!