Toyota Land Cruiser Amazon 4.2 TD Review

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Toyota Land Cruiser Amazon 4.2 TD
4 stars
Average rating for this product is: 4 out of 5

From 14 ratings and 15 reviews

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Philip Caterer's Review of Toyota Land Cruiser Amazon 4.2 TD

24th May 2006

Overall Rating

4.5 stars
  • Value for money
    4 stars
  • Length of ownership
    5 years
  • Performance
    4 stars
  • Reliability
    5 stars
  • Year Manufactured
    2001
  • Doors
    5
  • Practicality
    4.5 stars
Good Points

Bomb proof build quality and reliability even after 93,000 miles with 4.2 TD VX. Very spacious. Performs the same whether fully loaded or unloaded. Virtually silent on motorway runs. Superb visability, hence safety. Super smooth off road and an effortless vehicle to tow with.


Bad Points

Finding big enough parking spaces can be tricky. 21mpg. Servicing every 4,500 miles. 4.2 diesel is noisy when pushed compared to modern diesels. Rather dated design. Headlights dim compared to modern Bi-Xenons. Not good for racing off the lights.


General Comments

The Toyota Land Cruiser Amazon is exceptionally spacious and comfortable but even the 2006 model looks dated alongside a Range Rover, Discovery 3, Merc ML, or most other modern 4x4's to be honest. Where it leaves the competition standing is in reliability and durability. Treat other 4x4's hard, perhaps with the exclusion of Nissan, and they will break. The Amazon won't.

To me, the most attractive 7-seat alternative is the Discovery 3 HSE which has been brilliantly thought out and has a mouth watering specification. I am very tempted. But read the What Car? user reviews and about 35% of owners report faults - some minor, some involving replacement vehicles. That may be new model teething problems but scary all the same.

In the outback of Australia, Toyota is the 4x4 of choice because they don't want a vehicle that breaks down in the middle of nowhere.

I said to my children, shall we sell the Amazon and get this fast and fantastic sounding Porsche Cayenne S and astonishingly, they (aged 8, 13, 15) all said "No, why don't you just buy another Amazon. We like this car". I have since taken them in the latest Merc ML and they still prefer the Amazon.

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Members' Comments onPhilip Caterer's Review

  • John Cheetham on 31st Aug 2008

    My Toyota Landcruiser Amazon is now 7 years old. It is the special edition and its an amazing car. The model was a bit infront of itself with Sat Nav and full specs touch screen controls.
    I have a new Range Rover Vogue Supercharged also, a wonderful car but have to use the Amazon more because of the size for my work.
    Will be looking forward to the new version due this year.