2008 Toyota Land Cruiser

Toyota's Land Cruiser is almost as famous for its globe-trotting off-road prowess as the Land Rover Defender, though -- beyond the name -- the hulking SUV that wears the badge today has little in common with the small and simple two-doors of the '60s and '70s.

Toyota upsized the Land Cruiser in 1980 to a four-door midsize SUV, and the vehicle has gradually grown ever since. The 2008 model, dubbed the 200 series, stays with that trend, growing 2.3 inches in length and 1.2 inches in width. The sheetmetal is revamped to align it with Toyota's current styling direction, lending the new Land Cruiser a look akin to a Highlander hopped up on HGH.

Power comes from the Tundra's 5.7-liter V-8. The big truck's engine is unchanged for the Land Cruiser and retains its 381-horse and 401-lb-ft of torque power figures. It's mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with a sequential shift mode that allows for manual gear selection, automatically shifting into first gear when the vehicle comes to a stop. Unlike many SUVs on the market today, the Land Cruiser is fitted with a proper transfer case. Equipped with a Torsen limited-slip locking center differential, the transfer case allows full-time four-wheel drive, with a rotary dial serving as the switch between high and low range modes. The differential's locking function is engaged at the press of a button.

Although unibody SUVs are all the rage these days, the Land Cruiser retains its tried and true ladder-frame chassis. The suspension, designed with off-road capability in mind, features a live axle in the rear and a double-wishbone setup up front. Also part of the suspension package is Toyota's Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System consisting of a pair of hydraulic control cylinders that roll stiffness to best match the suspension's geometry. Stopping power comes by 13.4 inch discs with four-piston calipers up front and 13.6 inch discs at the rear. Towing capacity of the 2008 Land Cruiser is a considerable 8500 pounds and the maximum payload is 1585 pounds.

A new CRAWL control engages when the transfer case is shifted into low range. This system manages engine speed and output and braking force, slowly moving the vehicle forward or reverse and enabling the driver to concentrate more on navigating steep grades or extremely rough terrain. CRAWL control also includes Downhill Assist Control to maintain a constant preset speed while descending down an incline.

The Land Cruiser is fitted with a total of 10 airbags - two front airbags, knee airbags for the driver and front passenger, two rows of side-impact airbags, and three-row curtain airbags. Other safety features include active headrests for front-row occupants, a direct-sensing tire-pressure monitoring system, parking assist, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, active traction control, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, hill-start assist control, and vehicle stability control.

Toyota will present the 2008 Land Cruiser at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney early next month, with the vehicle arriving in U.S. dealer showrooms shortly thereafter.

At almost $7000 more than the outgoing model, the Lexus-like $63,200 price tag is a far cry from that of the affordable early generations. But some things haven't changed. After all, the Land Cruiser is still competing with Land Rover for the pocketbooks and affections of adventuring globe trotters.