The Toyota Land Cruiser full-size SUV, one of Toyota's leading luxury models, enters the 2016 model year sporting a subtle new look and a number of upgrades. But although the 2016 Land Cruiser retains the hefty off-road capabilities that made it a staple of Amazonian exploration, it has perhaps become more notable for climbing snow-covered driveways than tackling mountain passes. In any case, the 2016 Land Cruiser is offered in only a single Base trim. The 8-passenger Base gets various exterior upgrades for the upcoming year, including a boxier profile, restyled front and rear bumpers, up-ticked alloy wheels, projector beam LED headlights, a new chrome-heavy grille, and LED brake lights. The interior features a reworked center console and more intuitive controls with which the automaker hopes to make the cabin appear less dated. New Siri Eyes Free technology complements a brand new Qi wireless charging system, and upgraded steering-wheel-mounted cruise control and infotainment buttons now interact with Toyota’s Bluetooth-integrated Entune infotainment. A further improvement for the 2016 Land Cruiser is the introduction of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, replacing the old 6-speed gearbox. The new transmission manages a standard 5.7-liter V8 powerplant to produce 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque--but it doesn't help with fuel economy estimates, which will stay at 13 mpg city/18 highway/15 combined. Maximum towing capacity is a respectable 8,100 pounds with the standard trailer hitch and wiring. The 2016 Land Cruiser boasts full-time 4-wheel drive (4WD) with a 2-speed transfer case, auto-locking hubs, and descent control. Also standard is a limited-slip locking center differential, as well as Multi-Terrain Select function that allows drivers to adjust throttle pressure, shift points, and braking in order to handle a variety of surface conditions. There's even a Multi-Terrain Monitor that gives you a 360-degree view of the landscape immediately surrounding the vehicle. And Standard Crawl Control automatically adjusts wheel and suspension articulation at low speeds while traversing rocky terrain. Returning exterior features for the 2016 Land Cruiser include a standard power sunroof, a roof rack, step running boards, heated power-adjustable and auto-dimming mirrors, and a trailer hitch and wiring. The reworked interior features standard leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, heated front and (reclining) rear seats, memory for driver settings, and full power accessories. Adaptive cruise control and telescoping tilt-wheel steering each remain standard, as do 4-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, a cooled storage compartment, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and a remote garage door opener. As mentioned, the 2016 Land Cruiser returns with Toyota’s voice-activated Entune infotainment system, which includes standard GPS navigation, smartphone apps, and a 9-inch touchscreen display. Entertainment comes in the form of a 605-watt JBL audio system featuring a CD/MP3 player, 14 speakers, a DVD player, satellite radio, HD Radio, and separate rear audio controls. Rear-seat DVD entertainment also returns standard for the upcoming model year. Options for the 2016 Land Cruiser include remote engine start, upgraded floor mats, perforated leather upholstery, and added cargo management tools. Cargo capacity is 81.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The 2016 Land Cruiser adds a brand new Safety Sense-P driver-assistance feature that includes forward collision warning and mitigation, lane-keeping assistance, and rear cross-traffic alerts. Returning standard safety features include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear side-mounted airbags, 3-row head-protection airbags, daytime running lights, front fog/driving lights, turn-signal-integrated mirrors, and a post-collision safety system. Entune emergency telematics (Safety Connect) and a remote antitheft alarm also remain standard in the 2016 Land Cruiser, while a glass-breakage sensor is optional. The 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser will again go up against such rivals as Land Rover’s LR4, Cadillac’s Escalade, Mercedes-Benz’s GL-Class, Infiniti’s QX80, and GMC’s Yukon Denali.