Toyota improves safety in LandCruiser 200 Series

UPDATED: 05/10/2018

TOYOTA Australia has added safety equipment to two of its four LandCruiser 200 Series grades, but pricing for the upper-large SUV has increased by up to $1480 with the update.

While the volume-selling GXL grade is now $1280 dearer, it has picked up front and rear parking sensors alongside a 4.2-inch colour multi-information display (MID) that divides the instrument cluster’s tachometer and speedometer.

Furthermore, its steering wheel now features leather accents, as well as audio, phone and MID controls.

The GXL already includes 17-inch alloy wheels, aluminium side steps, roof rails, a reversing camera, keyless entry and start, dual-zone climate control, satellite navigation and a leather-accented gear selector.

Meanwhile, the next-step-up VX grade is $1480 more expensive but gains blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and auto-dimming rearview and side mirrors from the flagship Sahara.

It also adds the range-topper’s four-camera all-terrain monitor that consists of a wide-angle front camera, a rear camera, and two cameras mounted on the side mirrors.

As such, the set-up provides a surround view of the vehicle alongside an under-vehicle view when it is in low range, showing the terrain and positioning of the front tyres.

Carryover equipment in the VX includes dusk-sensing bi-LED headlights, LED front foglights and daytime running lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, black side steps, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a sunroof, leather-accented upholstery and woodgrain-look interior trim.

The LandCruiser 200 Series’ 4.6-litre naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine still produces 227kW of power at 5500rpm and 439Nm of torque at 3400rpm, while an optional 4.5-litre twin-turbocharged V8 diesel unit keeps developing 200kW at 3600rpm and 650Nm from 1600 to 2600rpm.

Either way, the off-roader is equipped with a six-speed torque-convertor automatic transmission and a full transfer case that offers high- and low-range four-wheel-drive ratios.

The LandCruiser 200 Series now kicks off from $78,190 before on-road costs (+$300) for the entry-level diesel GX variant.

Opting for the petrol unit in the GXL and VX costs $84,480 and $94,890 respectively, while the Sahara grade starts from $115,230 (+$400). The diesel engine commands a $5100 premium in these grades.

Every LandCruiser 200 Series variant is available with Toyota Service Advantage capped-price servicing, which currently costs $220 for each of the first six scheduled services.

According to Toyota Australia vice-president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley, the LandCruiser 200 Series already has a strong reputation, one that is enhanced with its latest upgrade.

“The Toyota LandCruiser has been an Australian favourite since it first arrived here, regularly praised for its comfortable and extremely competent ability to get to the most remote corners of the country... and back,” he said.

“Part of that ability comes from its advanced technology to assist drivers, whatever the terrain they come across, and the upgrades we are introducing for the mid-range GXL and VX models further aid that assistance.”

Sales of the LandCruiser 200 Series have improved this year, with 10,381 examples sold to the end of September – an 8.4 per cent increase over the 9575 deliveries made during the same period in 2017. This places it well ahead of its Nissan Patrol rival that has only managed 1010 registrations.