Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series 2019 off-road review: VX

The Toyota LandCruiser is a deadset off-roading legend, its reputation built on a lifetime of reliability, toughness, capability, not to mention the availability of Toyota parts Australia-wide.
The 200 Series has been around for more than a decade and, until the 300 Series arrives here in about two 2019s, it's your only option if you want to climb into a brand-new Cruiser.
Toyota reckons the 200 is the “King off the road” so we took it into the bush to test that claim. Is the 200 actually still any good? Or does it now rely too much on technology, rather than old-school mechanicals?
We tested the VX, the second-from-top-spec 200 Series, in a four-variant range. Price as tested is $100,865 (plus on-road costs). The 200 Series has a 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 engine - producing 200kW at 3600rpm and 650Nm at 1600-2600rpm. Fuel consumption is listed as 9.5L/100km (combined), but we recorded 12.6L/100km (including a lot of low-range 4WDing). It has a five-star ANCAP rating from testing conducted in 2011.
It's not perfect - it's big, heavy and expensive - but it's one of the best in the large SUV mob. It’s a roomy, capable 4WD wagon and there are lots of accessories available for it.
Read Marcus's full review: carsgui.de/2LmZwnF
Visit our Toyota Land Cruiser hub: carsgui.de/2ljeBdC
Check out our AdventureGuide: carsgui.de/2AiMOOn
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[@matthanley6366]

I bought my first 100 Series GXL brand new back in 2006 when I was 25. Was the best car in the world. A year later the 200 series was born and I quickly went about selling my GXL so I could upgrade to the ultimate. I drove out of Toyota in Burleigh Heads in November 2007 on my 27th birthday with a brand new 200 Series Sahara. My gosh I’ll never forget the feeling. Was the first one on the Gold Coast as I’d ordered it in. Drove straight to my mate Gibbo’s house in Palm Beach and pulled up in his driveway and beeped the horn. He came out and almost fell over. What an incredible piece of engineering. Will never forget the love. Unfortunately that particular series 1 model had numerous issues with oil burning etc, so took a little bit of the live away but none the less. Was one of the most beautiful trucks I’ve owned. To this day I’m saving for the 300 series. Can’t wait to feel that sensation again.

[@tonygersbach375]

Matt Hanley thanks for sharing that

[@gambekapula3761]

You're rich man,,,,,

[@ooluta7578]

Best car reviews! Straight to the point...bare facts! Love it!

[@marcsacco4287]

My Nan’s Daihatsu charade would of got up that gravel driveway to, although I agree with you get a gxl save 20+ thousand , you don’t need all the fancy stuff ,like you said you can stick your head out the window and see where your going. Good review mate

[@aussieoffroadnut1109]

Having owned a 200 Series for 4 years the things I found were...you never use crawl up a hill you just drive, use crawl down steep hills. Be very careful offroad with KDSS as its very easy to bust a CV especially if the left front is at full articulation. The common CV is the passenger side, i did my first on the old tele track with only 14,000 klms on the clock and no warranty from Toyota as I had ARB suspesnsion. Get a second fuel filter fitted if diesel as the stock one will need constant draining of water and filter replacements. Mine had constant ABS sensor issues which affects the electrics for the centre diff lock for some reason so it wouldn't disengage or engage when the sensors would have an issue. General issues with the centre diff lock not engaging or disengaging but most times turning the engine off and back on a gain would solve the issue. Tyre wear is pretty bad if you get any sort of after market suspension like ARB, expect a maximum of 40,000 klms from any mud tyre (I tried all the major brands). My V8 TD averaged between 16-18 ltrs/100 klms just driving mixed highway and suburban roads.

[@mr.h3603]

It's people like you who should be actually doing the review. Honest and straight to the point. Thanks for an enjoyable read 👍

[@fabulousoffroaddesigns5080]

My F-150 FX-4 is a similar size, weighs less and has more payload (1850 Lbs), and trailer towing capacity(9700 lbs), is triple locked, is aluminum, has a lower crawl ratio, has a 10 spd transmission, has 400 hp, and gets better fuel economy(11.5L/100kms highway). It also costs less then half as much and is compatible with every camping system known to man. I'm not really a Land Cruiser person, and I don't intend to denigrate those who are. For those Jeep owners, "denigrate" means "put down".

[@aussieoffroadnut1109]

@1 Nando I have moved on and not planning to go back to a Toyota product.

[@charlielittle8815]

@@aussieoffroadnut1109 what have you moved on to?

[@rezuuz]

@@charlielittle8815 Great Wall 😂😂

[@OFFICIAL_VIDEO_AWARDS]

Great car great review mate

[@davidliang1976]

Probably the only 4x4 I would consider after I am done with my Pajero in a few years.

[@larjkok1184]

Yeah, that’s understandable, a Pajero would put you off 4x4s.

[@davidliang1976]

@@larjkok1184 nothing wrong with the Pajero, my family loves it to bits, but since there's no new Pajero coming out I'll have to pick another 4x4 when its time to change that's all.

[@rezuuz]

@@davidliang1976 only if you can afford to buy a cruiser 😂😂😂

[@nickybosman3145]

@@davidliang1976 I agree. Nothing wrong with a Pajero. Had one and loved it. At the end I ended up with a LC200 GX which reminded me a lot of my Pajero. If it treats me as well as the Pajero did, I will be happy. Travelled the whole of Southern Africa with it. No problem at all.

[@BelloBudo007]

Your thinking is identical to mine David. I'm on my second Pajero and they are a fantastic car IMHO, and I live smack bang in the bush rough tracks and creeks from home to town. Would the 200 series do the job required? It's a lot of money but has a lovely motor. We will just have to wait and see.

[@uu11wa]

Are you sure you know how to initiate CRAWL correctly. Would get up that no problems at speed 1.

[@cg-xk7lc]

my relative has a 18 year old landcruiser prado that has charted 350k mileage and going strong...even if certain owner may change every few years, but owning such tough beast give comfort it will not easily breakdown like certain brands

[@stendecstretcher4983]

I agree with what you have Sid Marcus. I have had other brand SUVs that just did not do the job. Bought a Landcruiser 200 there is nothing to touch it.

[@cjmasters3704]

Awesome review!!!!

[@uaesaqer]

The tires pressure was not right (I guess ) when the lc200 failed to climb up..

[@rahbar2002]

legend, professional

[@huss1205]

A 4.5L Diesel V8, man, that's awesome...

[@dalepaddon8904]

“Not a problem at all” getting up someone’s gravel driveway.

[@johnwigg3683]

Dale Paddon yeah fair comment but turn off all the traction “aids” and it will eat pretty much anything

[@nhraandnascarfanatic5907]

I’d love a v8 cruiser... just a damn shame about the bullshit price tag :( surprising though how many people have them. Makes me wonder wtf I’m doing wrong in life 😂

[@thestefsterbun1820]

Guarantee 90% of the cruisers on the road are owned by the bank ;-)

[@nhraandnascarfanatic5907]

TheStefster for sure

[@ebinkool04]

Bro. Trust me. This car is worth the money. This will outlive your family and probably your next generation too

[@thestefsterbun1820]

Ebin Robinson no doubt.. I have a 2018 Sahara.. and it’s owned by the bank :-)

[@nhraandnascarfanatic5907]

As awesome as they are I just can’t justify forking out Mercedes Benz money for a Toyota

[@StarkRx]

Anyone knows how’s to change the AC temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius in this car please?

[@jjrocks5818]

Alison Melo sure. Get your calculator and punch in this (temperature in Celsius) x 2.175. Hope that helps.

[@ktmhaka]

Nice rig. Would of left out that dismal attempt of that “steep” hill climb though.

[@sierracharlie7293]

Crafty, if you let some Air out of the Tyre's, it much easier mate.

[@carsguide]

S C Yes, you're absolutely correct, mate - and I've written and spoken about the importance of correct tyre pressures at length over the years (some might say ad nauseam - just search for "marcus craft tyre pressures" and you'll soon see how much I waffle on about them). But sometimes in a review a new vehicle should be driven as some new owners will drive it - without any change from standard (to tyre pressures etc) - to see how well it fares. I knew smart blokes like you would pick up on the tyre pressure, which is why I asked our vid bloke to make sure he included my "In the 200's defence..." bit. Thanks for watching and commenting, mate. - Crafty

[@sierracharlie7293]

@@carsguide I know you do mate. It was just too tempting.

[@noelgibson5956]

I don't know which i prefer - this , or the 70 series. Both look very chunky and rugged, but in very different ways. One day I'm going to lose the Corolla , and buy one of these in retirement......and see the length and breadth of Australia.

[@matthanley6366]

John Gibson do it mate. You’re a long time dead and the feeling of driving this beast will be with you for life

[@AMDbikeCar]

Just super car.💚💜💖👏👏

[@michaelfarrell6665]

My dad has had 4 of those and he loves them but hates the price tag

[@TheHottestProperty]

It costs 430,000 USD here in my country, Nepal. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ The most expensive car here! Edit: the price is US $452,000 as of November, 2019.

[@belindadougherty4184]

Wow no thanks lol

[@CaleMessner]

Costs about the same in Australia 🤦🏻‍♂️ hahaha

[@gfox431]

I’m getting one in one week. (If it turns up on time)

[@MaZEEZaM]

I think I would probably go with the Prado over this, this may have greater storage space? but the Prado just seems much more modern and up to date with its tech and looks, and value for money.

[@ianmoone2359]

MaZEEZaM Prado? You’ve obviously not heard of the DPF issue, & the class action lawsuit on Toyota here in ass trailer! 😉😜 www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/toyota-hit-with-massive-class-action-thousands-of-hilux-prado-and-fortuner-customers-to-sue

[@almazorastore6057]

is it worth it over the ford explorer or f150?

[@fabulousoffroaddesigns5080]

Nope! F-150 FX-4 would eat it for half the price.

[@harrie205]

1:07 the Wheelbase might be 2850mm but not 3850mm

[@carsguide]

Hi Harrie, well spotted, mate. Next time I see you it's my shout for a beer. - Crafty

[@jupiterblox967]

My parents bought this car recently

[@thesceptic1018]

The standard tyres are pretty bad for slippery off-road

[@livenloud6697]

I thought it was John Laws that said they King Of The Road Not Toyota

[@ramzk8092]

Put the damn tyre pressure down!

[@MrT-nh6di]

King of Suvies!

[@rsoul7282]

How fortunate that it reassuringly beeps in irritating protest when being unable to scale a hill, as if to mock you for thinking it was capable of such an endeavour. Guaranteed to not make your blood boil whatsoever.

[@countdown5286]

The best car......

[@MaZEEZaM]

4:17, I would be pretty shocked if any vehicle could drive up that hill :S

[@73repa]

Wrangler Rubicon without a doubt

[@paharikalakar4728]

G wagon

[@peterryan7340]

Nearly all dual cab utes

[@rostamr4096]

It is stupid we cannot have a diesel engine in the US.

[@gomezea2]

still, the third row is very outdated and 100 grand.. hope it folds downward not sideward

[@RedWazzies]

As good a car as it is, I cannot economically justify paying that much money on a depreciating asset. Fair play to people who own one, but I am not made of money and would rather spend my money on something that appreciates like a house and spend 50k less on a Pajero Sport or Ford Everest that will take me to 99% of the places that a Land Cruiser will take me.

[@sibij42]

I reckon my ordinary car would climb that "hill" that the cruiser made it up. Hardly impressive for a $100k 4wd (and I am a landcruiser owner)

[@god1284]

When climbing steep hills with a land cruiser you're not meant to use the crawl controls, you just drive up it normally and it does it easily. CRAWL is only good for going down steep hills, not climbing them.

[@sibij42]

@@god1284 Not sure what your reply has to do with my comment. As someone else said "Are you serious? The second hill was basically a driveway. "

[@god1284]

george myer Oh I thought you meant the steep one

[@minamadenthapa6029]

This not off road sir

[@cosmosdaniel949]

Toyota landcruiser lc 200 engines both gasoline and diesels y needed vast lot more horsepowers and net torques, Toyota vehicles dealers and dealerships around the globe is very dishonesty with vast majorities of their customers and consumers, Toyota manufacturer needed to rethink much more about adding greater horsepowers and torques for the 2020/2021,- and beyond for their devoted loyal customers and loyal lovers of Toyota vehicles around the globe.

[@nnoddy8161]

Are you serious? The second hill was basically a driveway. You could see the road base at the bottom. Complete joke. When can we expect to see Carsguide do a story on the Toyota DPF issue and the class action??? One of Australia's biggest selling cars (Hilux), combined with the Prado are crippled by shonky DPFs and not a word from the mainstream auto media. Are you guys in the manufacturers pocket or what?

[@ugursenturk5860]

does it even have a competitor? lol

[@benhuang2773]

Closest equivalent is the Nissan Patrol. (More like Nissan Petrol, am I right?)

[@elonsus9747]

Ben Huang I see what you did there. ;)

[@gfox431]

Ben Huang unfortunately the 300series will be petrol too

[@noelscammell662]

Ben Huang Pooooooootrol

[@drealist7941]

Ben Huang yeah but y 62 is $35k cheaper and is pretty quick! I went to buy a 200 series but couldn’t justify the price! So y62 it is and love it!

[@wozza77able]

My xtrail could get up that 2nd hill

[@MaZEEZaM]

my ford falcon probably could, it was a gravel track.

[@danielrogeronanaonana3947]

Some can eat that hill

[@fazanugraha8546]

not in stock condition, the cruiser can actually

[@abdulrahmanm9422]

tick tick tick tocota

[@WogsRus1]

Y62 shits on a cruiser and I've had both. No thanks.

[@rsoul7282]

The Patrol these days is an emasculated independent front and rear suspended faux glitz wagon, so if that is what you are in the market for it has no peer.

[@WogsRus1]

@@rsoul7282 maybe, but it has full hmbc, look it up, articulates more than a lc200, goes like the clappers and it a far far nicer truck to drive. Having had both, not going back.

[@rsoul7282]

WogsRus1 what is HMBC? Half made bodged chassis? Help my bogged chariot? For a roady I’m sure the Patrol is lovely and all that, but with respect I wouldn’t take it too far afield. Though I do appreciate that you have tried both, and aren’t just basing your opinion on which one you like the look of 👍

[@WogsRus1]

@@rsoul7282 hydraulic body motion control, which is standard on all patrols. Having had other in the Bush, dolar for dolar, the patrol ate the lc200 in all manner of situations in stock form, has 33" tyres standard, better articulation, better ramp over and departure angles far more clearance etc. You should try it....

[@occyman]

Hahahahahahah sure mate...keep lying to yourself you’ll feel better eventually

[@rockbiterhd]

Just to expensive

[@stendecstretcher4983]

Rockbiter Hd Too

[@rockbiterhd]

stendec Stretcher egg

[@customchannel9044]

just go with lada niva :D thats all you need

[@luckdingwong2196]

Still no in floor 3rd row ? Fold up seats taking up half if the boot ... Fail Toyota.

[@986C]

Luck Ding Wong - Human being fail.

[@markleach1974]

What a crappy video for such a good car.

[@dtnst]

I think nissan y62 is the new king.

[@_hold_the_line_]

Had a look at it at the dealer and it looked like it had a LHD centre console & gear lever. That is not cool.

[@Revman996]

It might compete if it had a diesel.....

[@benhuang2773]

@@Revman996 You could say that the current version is a Nissan _Petrol!_

[@stendecstretcher4983]

No diesel no contest.

[@tonygersbach375]

You’ve said that before, and we heard you the first time

[@t-bone9239]

too big, too heavy. Dont want to drive a damn land yacht

[@larjkok1184]

Yeah, it’s no good for women.

[@stendecstretcher4983]

It doesn’t feel heavy when you drive it.

[@ramzk8092]

Put the damn tyre pressure down!