Eight years ago, we crossed the Australian outback in a Land Rover Discovery. While the vehicle was upscale and capable, the locals we encountered weren't buying it--literally or figuratively. "The only things that last out here," they would tell us, "are the Toyotas." At the top of the heap is the beautiful-but-rugged Land Cruiser. Toyota has sold more than four million models since introducing the brand name in 1954.

Among adventure cars, the Land Cruiser's ability to survive in harsh environments is nearly peerless. Reliability is the big selling point here. Consider that Consumer Reports assigns new-model Land Cruisers its highest rating for predicted reliability, while assigning new Range Rovers its lowest.