We took our long-term Land Cruiser off-roading to determine whether the absence of the optional stabilizer bar disconnect made it perform worse on rough terrain.
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When the new Toyota Land Cruiser initially launched, the higher of the two trim levels came equipped with an electronic front stabilizer bar disconnect as standard equipment. Shortly afterward, the feature became optional due to a supply-chain problem; Toyota couldn't obtain enough units for it to be standard, and our long-term vehicle was built without it. (It remains an option for the 2027 model year.) Does this make it less capable off-road?
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What Is a Stabilizer Bar Disconnect?
The stabilizer bar, also referred to as the anti-roll bar, minimizes body lean during turns by linking the wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle together, so their vertical motions partially offset each other. Typically, there are two—one connecting the front wheels and one connecting the rear wheels.
A stabilizer bar disconnect does precisely what its name implies, separating the wheels so they can travel up and down without the opposite wheel pushing back. This is a common feature on serious off-road vehicles, as it allows each wheel to move farther upward and downward than it normally could, improving traction in certain situations and—counterintuitively—reducing body lean in others when traversing obstacles. You'll find it as an option or standard on the most capable versions of direct rivals like the Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco.
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When Should You Use It?
Disengaging the stabilizer bar should only be done off-road and at low speeds, and many modern vehicles prevent you from using the feature unless you're in a specific off-road mode and driving slowly enough, typically under 20 mph. With it disconnected, the vehicle is more prone to rolling over during higher-speed turns, so the computer automatically reconnects it if you exceed the designated speed.
There are two scenarios where it proves useful. The first is when climbing over large obstacles such as rocks or navigating deep, offset ruts where one side of the vehicle rises while the other descends. In this case, greater individual wheel articulation helps keep the vehicle closer to level for longer and maintains wheel contact with the ground longer for enhanced traction.
The other scenario involves driving on extremely bumpy trails. Disconnecting the stabilizer bar can significantly improve ride comfort and reduce head movement as the wheels continuously encounter different bumps and dips at varying times.