Toyota unveiled an updated 2016 Land Cruiser recently.
Toyota recently unveiled an updated 2016 Land Cruiser.

Since 1957, Toyota has continually sold the Land Cruiser in the United States. For 2016, Toyota has unveiled an updated version of its beloved capable-yet-luxurious SUV. Both the interior and exterior will receive updates for the new model year, as well as new safety technology, a major drivetrain upgrade and enhanced multimedia updates.

Toyota says the Land Cruiser body is new from the A-pillar forward. That means the bumper and grille are new, as are new projector-beam LED low and high beam headlights, headlight cleaners. Toyota says it added more distinctive bulges to the hood, which will house beneath it Toyota’s 5.7L 381-horsepower. The biggest update to the drivetrain of the Land Cruiser is Toyota’s first 8-speed automatic transmission, which the company says will help enhance acceleration. Fuel economy remains unchanged at 13 mpg city, 18 highway and 15 mpg combined.

The flagship Toyota SUV will return again in 2016 some major updates, including an all-new 8-speed transmission.
The flagship Toyota SUV will return again in 2016 some major updates, including an all-new 8-speed transmission.

The rear of the 2016 Land Cruiser’s exterior is also new as well, as new taillights with light-tube design and LED brake lights, as well as a new bumper and full-width chrome molding. The Toyota Land Cruiser is offered in one version and one version only – fully loaded, with no factory options available, since Toyota believes none are needed.  It will still seat up to eight, and new for 2016 is semi-aniline perforated leather in either black or new brown color called Terra.

We recently tested the 2015 Land Cruiser, and while we liked the vehicle we did feel the interior was just a little dated, so it’s nice to heard that Toyota has accented the new SUV with Deep Wood trim and added a new center console redesign that it says has a “more cohesive appearance and more intuitive controls.” Speaking of the interior, Toyota also says it upgraded the Land Cruiser’s Entune head unit, adding Siri Eyes Free mode and other performance enhancements. When paired with an iPhone, the driver simply pushes a steering wheel button and then speaks requests to Siri. As we just saw on the new 2016 Tacoma, the LC will also feature new Qi wireless phone charging for compatible devices. Off-roaders will be pleased that CRAWL Control will still be featured on the 2016 model, as well as a standard two-speed transfer case with a Low setting for more challenging off-road terrain.

The new Land Cruiser will feature an updated interior as well.
The new Land Cruiser will feature an updated interior as well.

We look forward to getting our hands on the updated 2016 when production models are available, as there are number of other updated features on Toyota’s flagship SUV. We’re happy to see the Land Cruiser returning for another year, as its name carries a rich off-road history. For more information, head over to Toyota.com.