11
TOUGH LOVE
THE GX IS NOT ONLY THE LEAST-EXPENSIVE 200 SERIES, IT’S THE MOST
BUSH-READY.W
HAT list of best 4x4 buys wouldn’t
include the 200 Series, the crown
jewel in Toyota’s extensive range
of off-road vehicles? Trouble is,
which 200, given they are priced
almost like crown jewels? Go for a top-spec
Sahara and you’re at $120K even before
on-road costs.
For our money the base-spec GX is the
best value and is particularly attractive as
a starting point for a 4x4 tourer. Mind you,
it’s still expensive compared to a 78 Troop
Carrier or the slightly cheaper 76 Wagon. If
you go for the base-spec Workmate 76 you can
save $18K over a 200 GX.
However, comparing the 200 to a current
76, 78 or 79DC doesn’t do any sort of favour
to the 200. Sure, they are both Toyota Land
Cruisers, but they feel like they come from
different worlds, such is the huge gulf
between them. The 70 drives like a third-
world truck, while the 200 drives like a first-
world luxury 4x4. The 200 is light years ahead
in comfort, refinement, ride and handling,
engine performance, and the ability to cover
huge distances without unduly fatiguing the
driver or passengers. It’s also well ahead in
active and passive safety.
The 70 is a more rugged and ultimately
more capable off-road workhorse, but it’sbadly compromised by its way-too-short
highway gearing and single-turbo V8 diesel,
which isn’t nearly as efficient as the 200’s
twin-turbo V8. Throw in the 70’s blunt front
aerodynamics and an engine that revs unduly
even at modest highway speeds, and it’s no
wonder it can drink fuel like it has a petrol
V8 under the bonnet – and at a rate 15 to 20
per cent greater than a 200!
The GX didn’t arrive until late in 2011,
some four years after the 200 range
debuted and it’s effectively a stripped version
of the popular 200 GXL. You still
get the 195kW/640Nm twin-turbo 4.5-litre
V8 diesel complete with the sweet six-speed
auto and the full raft of electronic chassis
systems including stability, traction and
crawl control. The GX also has front, side
and curtain airbags.
Gone from the GXL are the third-row
seats, carpet floors, proximity ignition key
with push-button start, alloy wheels and
horizontally split rear tailgate. In their place
the GX has five seats, vinyl floor coverings,
a conventional ignition key, steel wheels and
rear ‘barn’ doors. The GX then gains a factory
snorkel, the only 200 thus equipped. And with
the third-row seats and other things gone, it
has a higher payload than other 200s. Much
bigger load space, too.PRICE $76,500 ENGINE 4.5-litre V8 twin-turbo-diesel
TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 200 GXENGINE: 4.5-litre V8 twin-turbo-diesel
POWER: 195kW
TORQUE: 650Nm
GEARBOX: six-speed automatic
4X4 SYSTEM: dual-range full-time
FRONT SUSPENSION: independent/coil
springs
REAR SUSPENSION: live axle/coil springs
KERB WEIGHT: 2640kg
GVM: 3350kg
TOWING CAPACITY: 3500kg
FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 138 litres
ADR FUEL CLAIM: 10.3L/100km
62 http://www.4X4australia.com.auDRIVEN BEST BUYS