Toyota Land Cruiser ZX 2020 Best SUV Review

Toyota Land Cruiser ZX 2020 Best SUV Review

The launch of a new generation of the Toyota Land Cruiser ZX is always a big event, so it is not surprising that owners of the 200 series Cruisers were startled when, in mid-2020, the Land Cruiser was announced.

It became so popular that the waiting time in Japan was almost immediately extended to three or four years, although of course the influence of COVID-19 cannot be ignored, which caused a huge shortage of components. Regarding the features of the Toyota Land Cruiser ZX 2020 model year, we have asked our correspondent in Australia to inform us, as Australia is one of the largest markets for off-road vehicles.

Toyota Land Cruiser ZX The details.

For off-road lovers in Australia, the Toyota Land Cruiser ZX enjoys stable demand, so the local model range is quite wide and offers no less than six configurations. Prices start at AU$102,769 for the entry-level GX, and then jump to $117,138 for the GXL, $130,191 for the VX, $148,595 for the Sahara, $155,658 for the GR Sport and $156,728 for the Sahara ZX. Admittedly, it’s not cheap, even taking into account the average USA salary of 6,000 local dollars per month. However, there are plenty of reasons to get excited about the 2024 Land Cruiser ZX.

For starters, it’s based on a new steel chassis, and all versions are powered by a 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 diesel engine, which has replaced to the V8 of the previous model. Some conservatives were unhappy with the decision to do without the V8, especially considering that the Nissan Patrol is still sold with a naturally aspirated V8 engine, but the diesel V6 has enough power, delivering 304 hp and 700 Nm of torque, which is significantly more than the 268 hp and 650 Nm from the old V8.

It is accompanied by a 10-speed automatic transmission from Aisin. According to the manufacturer, in a combined cycle, the most expensive Toyota Land Cruiser ZX (the version I had) consumes around 9 liters per 100 kilometers (11.5 l/100 km in the city and 8 liters on the highway). By the way, the Sahara ZX occupies an unusual position in the lineup. Despite being the most expensive configuration, it is not the most off-road. That role is played by the GR Sport, equipped with a locking front and rear differential, and an improved e-KDSS electronic roll prevention system.

Admittedly, these features are missed in the Toyota Land Cruiser ZX , but it leads in terms of comfort level. Additionally, the Toyota Land Cruiser ZX is offered exclusively in a five-seat configuration, while the GXL, VX and single Sahara can be found with seven seats, making them more suitable for large families. And in terms of looks, the Toyota Land Cruiser ZX  looks truly luxurious. It features 20-inch silver wheels, unique front and rear bumpers, as well as wheel arch and rear fender moldings, and illuminated side steps. It’s also the only option with a limited-slip differential and adjustable suspension.

I’m sure you’ll immediately notice that driving the Toyota Land Cruiser ZX is an absolute pleasure. It’s much more luxurious than the old 200 series, although it’s not too different from the cheaper regular Sahara. In fact, the only difference is the special finish on the steering wheel, center console and doors, plus the addition of three additional USB ports for charging.

But the fact is that the Sahara is also very well equipped: digital instrument panel, 12.3-inch infotainment screen with satellite navigation, four-zone climate control and 14-speaker JBL Premium audio system. The heated and ventilated front seats are eight-way adjustable, although they don’t have massage, which is quite strange considering the price of the vehicle. Overall, Toyota has done a great job of making the Toyota Land Cruiser ZX easy to understand and operate, with a perfect mix of physical buttons and controls on a large, bright entertainment screen. Among the functions that can be controlled with buttons are climate control, sound settings and driving modes.

The infotainment system supports wired versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but what’s not so good is the Toyota Land Cruiser ZX outdated infotainment system software, with mediocre-level graphics and a confusing menu. The large screen leaves a lot to be desired. And although it responds well to commands and displays all the necessary information, you can hardly see anything if you drive with sunglasses (something that happens quite often here).

Yes, there are many screens in the world with the same problem, but on the Toyota Land Cruiser ZX it is even worse than others. This brings us to another technological problem with the 300 series: the lane keeping function. Toyota has equipped the new model with many assistants that owners of previous models could only dream of, including autonomous emergency breaking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go speed adjustment, and lane maintenance. And if the first two works excellently, maintenance is frustrating because it does not allow you to maintain the lane, rocking the vehicle from one side to the other.

This is not a big problem in the city with its low speeds, but it is a big annoyance on the highway (and we drove 1,500 kilometers, from Melbourne to Adelaide). We tried to make the route as varied as possible, driving through suburbs, country roads and long stretches of highway. Toyota Land Cruiser ZX turned out to be quite economical, consuming an average of 10.5 liters per 100 kilometers, which although it is more than the declared nine liters, is still quite good for a car weighing more than 2.6 tons and with that power. Accelerates to 100 km/h in approximately eight seconds.

Both our Toyota Land Cruiser ZX and the more off-road GR Sport have six driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport S, Sport S+ and Custom. The younger versions only have Eco, Normal and Sport. In our opinion, the best option is Sport S. In Eco, Comfort and Normal modes, the Land Cruiser is too soft, and although in most cases this is fine, at higher speeds and on unpaved roads it is not. so much fun (even though Toyota makes a mandatory local adaptation). Fortunately, the Sport S and Sport S+ modes improve the situation significantly.

The twin-turbo V6 and 10-speed automatic transmission complement each other perfectly. Press the accelerator pedal and the Land Cruiser instantly comes to life. Acceleration is smooth and quick, and those planning to use it for towing will be pleased to know that its rated load capacity is 3.5 tones, more than enough for large caravans, trailers and boats. The transmission complements the engine well and provides smooth, precise shifts, although it is not the fastest transmission in the world.

The doors, hood and roof of the 300 series are made of lightweight aluminum, which has reduced the overall weight by 200 kilograms. Although weight reduction is undoubtedly a crucial parameter, one of its consequences is that the thin, light aluminum hood shakes and flexes when moving. This is especially noticeable at high speeds and can be a bit annoying; especially considering it’s constantly in your field of vision.

Toyota Land Cruiser ZX Off-Road.

We had the opportunity to test the Toyota Land Cruiser ZX off-road capabilities a little in deep ruts and shallow water. Let us remember that its ground clearance is 235 mm and its wading depth is 700 mm. In addition, it handles the absorption of all types of potholes very well and smoothes out the irregularities of the terrain. Future owners will surely appreciate new options such as downhill cruise control and turn assist mode, which breaks the inside wheel and reduces the turning radius, which is very important for vehicles of this size.

However, it is important to note that even the cheapest configurations have the same capabilities. The only thing missing from the basic GX is the terrain selection mode and the multi-function monitor with four cameras and panoramic view. Plus, as we already mentioned, the GR Sport is the only option with e-KDSS suspension and front and rear differential locks, so it should be the preferred choice for more serious off-road enthusiasts.

Like almost all of its predecessors, The Toyota Land Cruiser ZX remains an extremely versatile vehicle, with a wide range of capabilities. Yes, it is expensive, and yes, it has some small flaws. However, the Land Cruiser has been and remains one of the most reliable off-roaders. However, for about the same money here, you can buy a well-equipped Land Rover Defender 110, and if I had to choose, that’s exactly what I’d do.