Toyota LandCruiser updated with new safety technology

The first Toyota to adopt the towing-focused safety technology, the updated Toyota LandCruiser now sees drivers benefit from the system designed to help keep cars under control in the event that an attached trailer starts to swing from side to side.

Integrated into the LandCruiser’s existing vehicle stability control system, trailer sway control detects trailer movement based on information from the vehicle's yaw-rate, acceleration, and steering sensors and suppresses sway – often triggered by crosswinds, rough roads or sharp steering inputs – with the help of deceleration control and yaw-moment control.

Once engaged, the system warns the driver via the in-dash ‘slip’ indicator and illuminates the brake lights to alert following drivers. Toyota says the system requires no additional hardware or any modifications to trailers.

Continuing the safety theme on the updated LandCruiser is the addition of knee airbags for both drivers and front passengers. The extra airbags see the total number rise to eight in GX and GXL models, while in the premium VX and Sahara models this reaches 10, including their rear-seat side airbags.

Further upgrades to the range include dark grey rear privacy glass on GXL models and dusk-sensing headlamps for VX models, while the top-of-the-range Sahara receives dusk-sensing headlamps and digital (DAB) radio.

The five-star ANCAP safety rated LandCruiser 200 series is available with either a 227kW/439Nm 4.6-litre petrol V8 or a 195kW/650Nm 4.5-litre twin-turbo diesel V8, both mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The updated LandCruiser sees prices increase by $1500 across the range, starting with the five-seat turbo-diesel GX at $78,990, eight-seat turbo-diesel GXL at $89,990, seven-seat turbo-diesel VX at $100,990 and seven-seat turbo-diesel Sahara at $119,990. The three eight-seat petrol models in GXL, VX and Sahara spec are now $84,990, $95,990 and $114,990, respectively. The LandCruiser’s Kinetic Dynamic Suspension system remains unchanged as a $3250 option.

All Toyota LandCruiser 200 series models are covered by Toyota’s capped-priced servicing program, at a cost of $210 per service.

Read CarAdvice's Toyota LandCruiser Review.