The Toyota Land Cruiser is among the few vehicles on the market with serious off-road capability, towing capability, and people-hauling capability.

The Land Cruiser seats up to eight people. It can transport large amounts of cargo over any kind of road or primitive trail, in any kind of weather, with speed, comfort, and security. It can tow up to 8,500 pounds with the right equipment. Plus, it offers a level of comfort and convenience that rivals luxury cars in this price range.

The 2009 Land Cruiser looks pretty much the same as Land Cruisers have looked for years, but in fact the Land Cruiser was completely redesigned and re-engineered for 2008. This latest version boasts a suite of safety features, state-of-the-art electronics, more power with better fuel economy, and innovative engineering advancements that permit outstanding performance in contrasting circumstances. The one small change for 2009 is the addition of privacy glass for the rear door and quarter windows.

More than just all-weather, the Toyota Land Cruiser offers legitimate all-terrain capability. Among the innovations making this possible is a brilliantly designed suspension that enhances performance on irregular terrain, yet does not compromise cornering or braking on paved roads.

But the Land Cruiser's high-utility, capability-driven design does come at a price. Its impressive capabilities require more expensive materials, extensive developmental testing, and more engineering innovation. That makes the Land Cruiser the vehicle of choice for well-heeled customers who have a cabin in the woods, an adventurous vacation routine, or perhaps a whole lot of highway and dirt road between the family home and a camping trip. For their investment, Land Cruiser owners enjoy an exceptionally secure, comfortable SUV that can make extreme use seem routine.

Then there is the matter of quality. All Land Cruisers are built in small volumes in Japan. Production is shared between the Yoshiwara plant, in Aichi, Japan, (now manufacturing , , and ) and Toyota's vaunted Tahara plant, which mostly manufactures Lexus vehicles. These are Toyota's flagship manufacturing facilities. Standards at the Tahara plant, in particular, have been described in American newspapers as untouchable, approaching fewer than 10 defects per 1 million parts.

As a result, the Land Cruiser's reputation for durability and long-term value is likely to be continued. It is normal for four-wheel-drive vehicles to require unscheduled repairs due to greater complexity, and exposure to dust, water, and vibration. However, in the case of the Land Cruiser, we would be surprised to encounter many significant problems beyond normal maintenance.

Because of its iconic exterior design, Land Cruisers never look dated or go out of style. Used Land Cruisers are scarce and command high prices.