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Toyota LandCruiser Sahara

LandCruiser heads into the 06 model-year with new cosmetics and revised specs

Blink and youd miss it. This is the new 2006 model-year LandCruiser, with new lights, grille and other small changes which will see the 100 through to its clean-sheet replacement, due here in 2007/2008.

All 2006 Cruiser models get the new twin-pocket headlights, LED taillights and new grill but the big news, such as it is, concerns the upgraded specification for Sahara models.



Sahara now comes standard with features previously exclusive to the Lexus LX470, such as Variable Gear Ratio Steering, Active Height Control, Electronic Modulated Suspension, new audio system (which has a touch screen and can now play MP3 and WMA tracks) and Optitron instruments.

The Satnav in Sahara also has a new breadcrumb feature, which allows you to program the Satnav to trace back your journey if you become lost. Toyota says that while the new Sahara costs $2600 more it represents $4300 actual value.



It isnt leaving much for Lexus to justify the extra $30K-plus ask for LX470 though: a fancy sound system, bi-xenon lights and a darker shade of window tint isnt a great deal to crow about, given that the guts of its features list added to Sahara is only valued at $4300.

The GXL has a new drivers seat with manual height-adjustment. Standard wagon remains the same as before except for the external changes featured on other grades. GXL goes up by a few hundred dollars and the Standard wagon remains the same price.

It has been a while since Ive driven a LandCruiser 100 turbo-diesel and the upgrade was a reminder of how well this engine can hustle 2.7-tonnes of Toyota wagon. It works well off-road, too, although there are better diesels off idle. No matter: enjoy the massive rear-wheel articulation and, on Sahara at least, the traction control for when wheels finally do leave the deck.


The spare wheel location, under the rear is, as ever, not ideal for good departure angles. That said, the Cruiser really rides over the rough stuff well and can be a reasonable point-to-point tourer, although it does get a bit roly-poly in the twisties.

The 2006 LandCruiser continues to be a very capable vehicle and, while nearly $100k seems like a lot of money, the Sahara model especially is actually great value.
Article written by: CarPoint