The latest generation of the Toyota Land Cruiser Amazon is the chameleon of the automotive world, combining the roles of luxury car, people carrier and load lugger with equal aplomb.

At around 16ft long it has enormous presence on the road and the elevated driving position gives the driver a sense of invincibility, ideal if you are tackling the Australian outback but a little over the top if you’re only doing the school run. However, the absence of parking sensors can make slipping the car into that supermarket or underground parking space a bit of a challenge.

You’ll see plenty of used examples with battle-scarred bumpers to prove the point.

Being big means the Amazon is also heavy and it needs a pretty powerful engine to get it moving. Models introduced in spring 1998 were powered by a 4.7 litre V8 producing 232bhp or a 4.2 litre turbodiesel with 201bhp. Both units propel the car to an artificially limited top speed of 109mph, with the 0-60mph benchmark being achieved in 11.7sec and 13.1sec respectively. In a car of this size such performance feels impressive, and in most situations the extra torque of the diesel engine makes it feel just as quick as its petrol sibling.

Second-hand buyers of the diesel have a choice of two trim levels, the GX and VX. Both have air-conditioning, CD player and alloy wheels but the higher spec VX adds leather upholstery, electrically adjustable front seats, an electric sunroof, an active height-adjustable suspension system (a useful addition for serious off-road use) and a four-speed auto gearbox. The petrol models were available only as an auto VX.

If you want to use the car as a workhorse then the cloth-upholstered GX diesel model with a manual gearbox is a great buy. Fuel economy is a true 25mpg and at £3,500 less than a used VX it represents great value.

If fuel consumption concerns you then the V8 petrol model will give you sleepless nights. On paper its combined cycle figure of 17.1mpg isn’t too bad but talk to owners and they will all regale you with horror stories of journeys returning less than 10mpg. More popular is to combine the diesel engine with the smooth four-speed auto gearbox; together they will return about 20mpg.

With the Land Cruiser Amazon enjoying a reputation for bulletproof reliability and unsurpassed durability, the vehicle has become a target for unscrupulous clockers, who will happily “adjust” the mileage back safe in the knowledge that the car is unlikely to provide any clues as to the actual distance it has covered. For buyers of older Land Cruisers this is something to watch out for. The best advice is avoid if you can any car that does not come with a comprehensive service history, including the original receipts.

• Towing With a 3,500kg capacity, the Amazon is popular with the equestrian fraternity. The presence of stabilisers and twin electrics can indicate a history of heavy lugging 

• Warranty The three-year/60,000-mile warranty on new cars can be extended annually until the vehicle is seven years old

• Upholstery VX models have leather as standard. GX cloth upholstery is hard wearing

• Brakes Huge ventilated discs all round with ABS as standard mean stopping power is massive, essential if you are towing

• Gearbox Permanent four-wheel-drive system comes with high and low ratio settings

• Suspension On cars fitted with adjustable suspension the ride is bouncy and body roll is prevalent when the “comfort” setting is selected

• Rear seats Third row of seats needs to be removed to free up boot space

• Satellite navigation Dealer-fit option only until 2003, when factory-fitted touch-screen DVD system was introduced as standard

• Off road Good ground clearance and an auto-locking centre differential ensure excellent off-road ability

• Tailgate Split opening tailgate similar to that of a Range Rover

• Toyota Land Cruiser Amazon 4.2TD VX auto 2002 02 registration with 60,000 miles. Pay £24,000 at a franchised dealer or £22,500 privately

Source: estimates based on confidential CAP black book prices. ‘Trade’ is what a dealer would pay to buy your car; ‘Retail’ is what you would pay a dealer

Alternatives

Figures based on CAP December 2005 edition

 © Jason Dawe Productions Limited July 2006