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Vehicle Tests > 4WD Comparison - Bush Icons At War
4WD Comparison - Bush Icons At War
Not that the HSE is overshadowed by the 200 in the rough. It has a few tricks of its own, not least its height adjustable air suspension that affords ground clearance the Toyota could only achieve via an aftermarket suspension lift. And then there's the D3's optional rear locker that's instrumental in helping to overcome its lesser articulation.
Which is more capable off road? Well, that depends on the individual circumstances. A matter for argument.
Where there's no argument is with the question of which is more comfortable in the bush. Thanks to its soft, long-travel suspension it's the 200.
The D3 isn't bad at standard ride height but even moderately difficult trails will find you dialling in more clearance. And the higher you crank the D3 up, the rougher and less accommodating is the ride.
Cabins And Equipment
Two, big and spacious cabins here. The Toyota seats eight in three rows, as against the D3's seven and the Toyota also has the advantage of a slightly roomier second-row seat. The HSE responds with a better third-row seat for two full-size adults and a more flexible seating arrangement where all of the seats fold flat and independently of each other.
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More telling here is that the HSE has a much better equipped cabin and has the feeling of a luxury vehicle whereas the GXL feels more utilitarian. The HSE's leather seats, complete with armrests, play a big part in purveying this sense of luxury as does the fact that both front seats have electric adjust, and the driver's seat has memory. Then there's the quality sound system and the extra cabin airbags. For its part the Toyota's driver's seat isn't even height adjustable...
Sum-up
Thankfully for the 200, this comparison is more than a question of equipment. The Land Cruiser is more than a sum of its parts and much of its appeal doesn't come down to what it does or doesn't do, on or off the road, it's more a matter of what it represents as an ownership proposition. If its forebears are anything to go by the 200 should be a long-lived and reliable machine. Among other things that means strong resale value. Then there's the extensive dealer network and the service backup provided by the same.
All of which doesn't diminish the fact that the HSE offers better equipment for the money, is a far more rewarding vehicle to drive on the road and, thanks to its technology, can match the Toyota in off road ability, even if it falls short of the Toyota's off road practicality.
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Which is more capable off road? Well, that depends on the individual circumstances. A matter for argument.
Where there's no argument is with the question of which is more comfortable in the bush. Thanks to its soft, long-travel suspension it's the 200.
The D3 isn't bad at standard ride height but even moderately difficult trails will find you dialling in more clearance. And the higher you crank the D3 up, the rougher and less accommodating is the ride.
Cabins And Equipment
Two, big and spacious cabins here. The Toyota seats eight in three rows, as against the D3's seven and the Toyota also has the advantage of a slightly roomier second-row seat. The HSE responds with a better third-row seat for two full-size adults and a more flexible seating arrangement where all of the seats fold flat and independently of each other.
read on below advertisement
More telling here is that the HSE has a much better equipped cabin and has the feeling of a luxury vehicle whereas the GXL feels more utilitarian. The HSE's leather seats, complete with armrests, play a big part in purveying this sense of luxury as does the fact that both front seats have electric adjust, and the driver's seat has memory. Then there's the quality sound system and the extra cabin airbags. For its part the Toyota's driver's seat isn't even height adjustable...
Sum-up
Thankfully for the 200, this comparison is more than a question of equipment. The Land Cruiser is more than a sum of its parts and much of its appeal doesn't come down to what it does or doesn't do, on or off the road, it's more a matter of what it represents as an ownership proposition. If its forebears are anything to go by the 200 should be a long-lived and reliable machine. Among other things that means strong resale value. Then there's the extensive dealer network and the service backup provided by the same.
All of which doesn't diminish the fact that the HSE offers better equipment for the money, is a far more rewarding vehicle to drive on the road and, thanks to its technology, can match the Toyota in off road ability, even if it falls short of the Toyota's off road practicality.
next page »
