2015 Toyota Land Cruiser J200 4.5L V8 6AT AWD (272 HP)

Vehicle Overview

In 2007, Toyota introduced the J200 generation of the Land Cruiser and offered it exclusively powered by V8 engines, hence the V8 nameplate, and eight years later, the automaker launched a heavily upgraded version of it.

The Land Cruiser was one of the best-known nameplates in Toyota’s inventory, and the Japanese automaker tried to use it for different vehicles. As a result, the lighter versions were named Land Cruiser Prado on selected markets, while the big, luxurious, and heavier model Land Cruiser J200 used just this nameplate, regardless of the market. Although that created some confusion among its customers, the chunky SUV found its fans thanks to the large cabin and powerful engines. Furthermore, along with the 2015 facelift, the bland exterior was refreshed and looked better.

With a bold front fascia that boasted a chunky chromed grille flanked by horizontal headlights, the Land Cruiser J200 was ready to face its difficult competitors in the large SUV segment. The main grille resembled the one installed on the Tacoma, which was an unknown model for European customers but very well known on the North American market. Furthermore, the hood featured two power bulges to emphasize the V8 engine underneath it. From its profile, the 2015 J200 Land Cruiser boasted a refined new look with integrated turn signals into the door mirrors and chromed trims on the lower part of the door panels.

Inside the cabin, Toyota offered a luxurious, leather-wrapped environment for up to eight people on three rows of seats. The automaker said that customers only had to choose upholstery color since everything else was fitted as standard. At the front, the occupants sat in comfortable, high-mounted seats separated by a wide center console that housed the transmission and a large cubby storage underneath the armrest. In front of the driver, the Land Cruiser J200 featured an instrument cluster filled with two large dials that flanked a TFT display between them and four additional gauges on the outer sides for several other critical information such as the fuel level and the ammeter on the right and fuel and coolant temperature on the left. Unlike the initial model, the 2015 J200 featured a large touchscreen atop the center stack for the infotainment system. Moreover, the new system was enhanced by a JBL Synthesis Premium Audio unit fitted with 14 speakers, including a subwoofer.

But the most significant changes happened under the car’s skin. While the gasoline-powered V8 engine remained the same as in the 2011 model year, the gearbox was upgraded. As a result, instead of a six-speed automatic, customers got a fresh eight-speed box that sent the power in all corners. Toyota kept the two-speed transfer case and the locking differentials on the standard features list, so buyers didn’t have to be afraid to drive their vehicles over rough terrains.