Toyota Land Cruiser 2.8 D-4D review: How much adventure can fit into one car?

How do you stand out within a mass movement? Well, you could run against it, but then you'd quickly find yourself back on your own. Or you could go back to your roots—because the masses have generally long since moved away from that. In the case of SUVs, you'd return to an off-road vehicle. For example, a model whose purpose is still quite clearly visible: the Toyota Land Cruiser .

It's enough to look deep into the headlights of the square-headed car to see: The Land Cruiser still means business, it not only could do it if it wanted to, it actually wants to and can do it.

Even its predecessors were consistently praised for their excellent long-distance capabilities – by the 4x4 faction. Even today, they still want to be read with the caveat "relatively." Because the name misleads: This Land Cruiser shouldn't be imagined as a touring car that prefers to cruise from coast to coast on highways. In fact, the all-wheel-drive Toyota has always preferred the direct route for crossing continents – over hill and dale.

The new model still loves narrow forest and farm roads, but is no longer too afraid of asphalt strips. There, the two independently suspended and guided front wheels don't require much persuasion to settle into the desired track; it's enough to align them with a generous amount of steering angle. Just a reminder: A generous amount of steering angle also helps a lot off-road, where you want to be able to command with centimeter precision, while also avoiding constantly jerking the steering wheel when being jolted around.

So, anyone who tends to be lazy when it comes to steering will find this setup less enjoyable on-road. On the other hand, the steering may be indirectly geared, but it's not opaque. When the end of the road's capabilities is approaching, the front tires signal this not only to the driver's ears, but also to the driver's hands beforehand.

What's more limiting is the performance of the still-rigid rear axle. Compared to its predecessor, it responds noticeably better to bumps. However, anyone who imagines an SUV when they think of a 4x4 vehicle will at least raise their eyebrows at the first rumble and bump. The same applies to the creaking noises from the body that intrude on poor roads.

The ESP, on the other hand, remains calm; it provides a tremendous amount of confidence, barely restricts the dynamic driving impulse, and allows for a fairly large sideslip angle. Those who don't let the flexing rubber and strong body roll scare them away can make rapid progress.

When making rapid progress, you might have to factor in a braking distance that is, by current standards, irritatingly long: With its Dunlop Grantrek tires, which are suitable for light off-road excursions, the Land Cruiser only comes to a stop after 39.1 meters when braking hard under optimal conditions.

For this reason alone, it's fitting that the 2.5-ton vehicle mostly just cruises around. From the high seating position, a sense of grandeur and sovereignty emanates, and you enjoy admiring the landscapes you've traversed. While doing so, you'll quickly be alerted by the attention assistant. Its warning beeps severely limit the sense of well-being on board, and we would like to emphasize that the term "assistance" is completely misleading in this context. These systems don't provide support; their hyperactivity undermines the joy of driving.

Sometimes the traffic sign recognition even overlooks town-end signs and punishes the subsequent acceleration to 100 km/h with indignation and no reason. This has just as demoralizing an effect as the overzealous lane-keeping driver, who believes the wide car is in constant danger on narrow roads.

The only way out is to turn off the biggest annoyances using the steering wheel controls. It's best to save one of the three possible speedometer layouts with the "Settings" option between the speedometer and tachometer. Only then will the marathon of pressing and scrolling in a fiddly submenu lead to the longed-for peace of mind – but of course, this happens again before every trip. Accompanied by silent curses that could only be quoted here in emoji form.

Curses from the digital world are drowned out as soon as the analog one makes its presence felt: in the form of the 2.8-liter. Yes, we're still dealing with the venerable four-cylinder diesel, whose powerful pistons oscillate noticeably in the front of the car. And which always packs a punch, even when there's nothing to work on.

The eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission is a new and positive addition – because, unlike its six-speed predecessor, it actually intervenes when you expect it to. It also helps, at least a little, with fuel savings: the off-roader manages to consume just nine liters per 100 kilometers when you don't push it too hard.

It actually wants to be challenged, as the following key data demonstrate: approach angle of 31 degrees at the front, 17 degrees at the rear, breakover angle of 25 degrees, climb angle of 42 degrees, and fording depth of 70 centimeters. And the buttons around the gear selector lever proudly testify to the capabilities of the all-wheel drive. Here, the center differential and rear axle can be locked, the transmission lowered, and the front stabilizer decoupled (only in the TEC Edition trim level) – all at the touch of a button.

If you want, you can switch to the automatic transmission: There are driving programs for almost every eventuality, plus an adjustable hill descent and ascent control. It takes over practically everything except steering and could possibly even let the Land Cruiser trudge right up to the farmer's hut. (You don't have to write to me now to tell me that this isn't possible.)

Word of this optional and de facto capability has spread. Even among the thieves who particularly like to break into the Toyota Land Cruiser. Its comprehensive insurance ratings are correspondingly high, and consequently its fixed costs. These, rather than the purchase price, are what make the Toyota a luxury model. Yet it actually wants to distance itself from its posh competitors, who have geared themselves strictly for on-road use with independent wheel suspension and air suspension. While the Land Cruiser remains exactly what its predecessors were: an off-roader on the way to infinity.

And, for once, this isn't just a myth. The Toyota Land Cruiser 2.8 D-4D is actually capable of something that only a few cars are granted—a lifetime.