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TOW TEST
WORDS : PHILIP LORD
CAN THE NEW TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 300 SERIES MATCH THE LEGENDARY 200 SERIES WHEN IT COMES TO TOWING ?
The long-lived Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series 4.5 V8 turbodiesel was an all-time favourite tow vehicle in Australia . The justarrived Land Cruiser 300 Series has created a ruckus among those who ’ re a bit wary of its smaller , 3.3L V6 turbo-diesel engine . Despite being lighter , more powerful and torquey , will this new , smaller-engined Land Cruiser handle towing a heavy van as well as the 4.5L turbodiesel V8 200 Series did ?
The entry level model to the Land Cruiser range , the LandCruiser GX , starts at $ 89,990 , and with the options fitted ( premium paint $ 675 and towing kit $ 283 fitted ) it costs $ 90,665 ( plus on-road costs ).
Safety is comprehensive on the new Cruiser , with the autonomous Emergency Braking ( including pedestrian and cyclist detection and 10 airbags ) the highlights . An alarm is fitted , as is Toyota Connected Services including automatic collision notification , an SOS button and stolen-vehicle tracking .