2004 Toyota Land Cruiser New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser?
For 2004, the Toyota Land Cruiser will offer an optional rear view camera as part of the navigation system. Cell phone communication is now facilitated by Bluetooth technology, which allows the driver and passengers to make and receive hands-free calls. The Land Cruiser’s stereo speakers act as the phone receiver and transmitter.

Advantages of the 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser:

• One of the most capable off-roading SUVs on the market
• Terrific resale value
• Luxury levels come close to matching the Lexus LX 470 without the extra-cost badge

Objections to the 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser:

• Prohibitive cost given Toyota branding
• Not as roomy or brawny as its primary competition
• Flip-fold rear jump seats not as useful as a true third-row bench seat

Editor's Advice:
Now in its sixth year of production in current guise, the Toyota Land Cruiser still manages to impress with high levels of luxury, refined on-road manners and stellar off-road capabilities. The Land Cruiser’s 4.7-liter V8 engine produces 235 horsepower and 320 lb.-ft. of torque that doesn’t quite match up to the 300-plus horses of which other SUVs can boast. Newer full-size SUVs, ranging from the Cadillac Escalade to the Lincoln Navigator and Nissan Armada to Toyota’s own Sequoia can possess greater interior size and underhood oomph, but we’d bet that engineers of those trucks looked to the Toyota Land Cruiser as a blueprint. There’s a compelling blend of comfort, utility and luxury in this Toyota, and owners get the added cachet of the legendary Land Cruiser nameplate.