Toyota Land Cruiser review
Pros & cons
- Hugely capable off-road
- Much-improved on-road manners
- Cool, retro design
- Thirsty
- No hybrid options at launch
- A Land Rover Defender drives better
Overview
Toyota is renowned for its reliable cars, but perhaps none more so than the Land Cruiser. It’s become the vehicle of choice in some of the harshest climates around owing to its seemingly unbreakable nature.
The Land Cruiser has stood the test of time, first arriving in 1951, and there have been all manner of versions over the years, with cumulative sales totalling more than 11 million. But in recent years this Toyota’s more rough-and-ready nature has meant it’s fallen off the pace next to newer rivals like the Land Rover Defender, which manages to mix exceptional off-roading ability with great on-road manners, with the Land Cruiser always feeling a bit agricultural.
With the outgoing version being on sale for 15 years, this new Land Cruiser is long overdue, and Toyota has left no stone unturned. There’s a cool new design inspired by Land Cruisers of years gone by, as well as a thoroughly modernised interior, something that let this 4×4 down previously. Toyota has worked to make it more suitable for on-road driving yet without compromising on the rugged ability it’s renowned for. But has it succeeded? Scroll on to find out.
What’s it like inside?
The previous Land Cruiser’s interior was really starting to show its age, with an old-fashioned interface and cheap feel to it. This new version is a real step up and is an excellent execution of mixing modern displays with plenty of useful physical controls.
In terms of technology, you get a large 12.3-inch touchscreen with integrated wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a digital dial display that changes depending on what driving mode you’re in. Neither are quite as crisp as those in a Land Rover Defender, but the advantage here is that there are plenty of conventional buttons to turn, which is our preference over its rival’s touchscreen-dominant affair.
Toyota says the buttons are all designed to be used wearing gloves, and that shows. Everything has a chunky and reassuringly sturdy feel, with a big gear selector still present. There are a lot more soft-touch materials used throughout the interior as well, though it never feels especially premium. This is a 4×4 designed for tough work after all. Though the cars we’re driving are still prototypes, the general fit and finish feels production-ready.
At nearly five metres long and two metres wide, the Land Cruiser is a big car – similar to a Land Rover Discovery. The result is one large, spacious interior ideal for family duties. Like its predecessor, the Land Cruiser will be available with five or seven seats. Though we didn’t get a chance to try the latter as our car only had two rows, given its generous dimensions, roominess is unlikely to be a problem.
Toyota Land Cruiser engines
Though Toyota has kept the previous Land Cruiser’s 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, a whole range of changes have been introduced that make it quieter, smoother and deliver better acceleration.
So while it produces the same 204hp and 500Nm of torque (pulling power) as before, it feels much brisker than the old model’s 12.9-second 0-62mph time. The core changes include a redesigned turbocharger and a new eight-speed automatic transmission. As the new Land Cruiser is yet to be homologated (the process of certification required before a car can be sold), full performance figures and efficiency figures are yet to be finalised.
Don’t expect particularly impressive efficiency figures, however, likely less than 30mpg with CO2 emissions higher than 200g/km. A new mild-hybrid version will be introduced in 2025, though it’s expected to be more about making the engine smoother rather than bringing radical fuel economy gains.
What’s it like to drive?
The Land Cruiser has always been exceptionally talented off-road, but this new version now drives well on the road too. Courtesy of a revised body-on-frame platform and new suspension setup, it rides far better than its predecessor, though still isn’t quite as comfortable as a Land Rover Defender, which comes with air suspension as standard.
Toyota has also changed the hydraulic power steering to an electric setup, giving it a smoother feel and less ‘bounceback’ when off-roading or if you go over a sharp bump in the road. By adopting this setup, the Land Cruiser can now be fitted with various new driver assistance technologies, including lane keep assist. It generally feels more assured and secure to drive on the road now, and it is a great improvement.
But none of this has come at the expense of the Land Cruiser’s off-roading ability, which is somehow even more impressive now. With loads of ground clearance and minimal overhangs meaning you’re unlikely to catch a bumper while off-roading, it’s one of the most purposeful 4x4s on the market. New features include a front anti-roll bar that can be disconnected, allowing the wheels to have greater articulation on the toughest terrain. We took the Land Cruiser on a fairly challenging off-road course and there was not even a sign of a struggle. We felt we’d only scraped the surface of its talents.
What models and trims are available?
The Land Cruiser won’t arrive in the UK until the end of 2024, so it’s too early to know full pricing and specifications.
We know that it will come in a range of specifications like the outgoing car, from more utilitarian versions to higher-spec models that get a more luxurious feel. Toyota is also offering a special First Edition trim, limited to 3,000 units in Europe, which comes in unique colours and gets various styling cues from classic Land Cruisers.
What else should I know?
While Toyota’s line-up might have predominantly moved to hybrid models in the UK, the Land Cruiser will continue to be sold with more traditional diesel engines – ideal for those towing heavy trailers or caravans, as you’re able to hitch up to 3,500kg with a braked trailer.
The Land Cruiser is also Toyota’s largest car here in Europe, and will serve as a flagship to the range. Because of rules that require manufacturers to meet electric car targets, and for CO2 emissions, the firm has said it will have to limit UK Land Cruiser sales. It will likely mean demand will outstrip supply if it’s anything like the Land Rover Defender and Suzuki Jimny, both of which were especially popular at their launch.
