Head for the hills! Only off-road and in challenging landscapes does this vehicle begin to make sense.
Lofty, pliable suspension, basic but easy-to-clean interior and a snorkel intake outside the driver’s window signal this is a work truck, not a school run-faker. Indeed that is the essence of this truck: it isn’t a townies’ vehicle for off-road, more an off-road vehicle for driving to town.
Pretty it is not. Planning a trip overland through Australia or Africa? Perfect, it won’t break a sweat and is likely to be going decades later as previous models have shown.
The heart of the beast is a great engine: a V8 of 4.5L, and though maximum power is only 151kW it is the torque-rated at 430nM that will haul you from trouble. A flat torque curve from only 1200rpm makes hard work seem effortless.
The Land Cruiser is still fairly quiet and only pushing up the rev range – a bit pointless given the pulling power at your foot – will make the cabin noisy.
Inside the creature comforts are few: a reasonable stereo with Bluetooth and air con of course, but don’t go looking for entertainment screens, reverse cameras, cruise control or even electric mirrors. These are big protected units you get out to manhandle for adjustment.
An unexpected bonus is the seating: it doesn’t look especially sculptured, but it’s very comfortable. Even on a long trip, you won’t be squirming for circulation in the legs.
Rural News tested the double-cab chassis with a nicely made Toyota deck on the back. Carrying capacity is solid and it has a tow capacity of 3500kg braked. It makes for a long parking space requirement at 5.230m long and with a turning circle of 14.4m you won’t be racing off to the mall in a hurry, but this all makes sense when you go off-road.
Our LX model had a nice set of alloys and different bumpers, and most models have aluminium running boards. A variety of body types are available, in single- and double cab options, plus an 11-seat long wheelbase hardtop (think forestry transport) and a five door wagon. A useful 40L auxiliary tank for the double cab and wagon, plus a 90L makes for continent-crossing range because fuel use is listed at just 11.5L/100km for the cab chassis models and 11.9L/100km for the hardtop and wagon versions; this made possible, no doubt, by how little work the engine has to do.
Prices for the Toyota Land Cruiser start at $69,680 and top $83,580 before extras. That’s somewhere to start. The usual warranty is three years, though five year options are available.
Tel. 0800 TOYOTA
