Despite its unapologetically old-school packaging and wind-tunnel-defying profile, the venerable Land Cruiser 70 continues to find significant favour among a community reliant on no-frills, go-anywhere prowess and unwavering reliability. Ian McLaren has been behind the wheel of the updated Land Cruiser 70 range.
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Toyota Land Cruiser 70 2.8 GD-6 Diesel SW 6AT Fast Facts
- Price: R999 900
- Engine: 2.8 litre, in-line four-cylinder, turbodiesel
- Transmission: 6-speed auto
- Power: 150 kW @ 3 400 r/min
- Torque: 500 N.m @ 1 600 – 3 800 r/min
- Driven wheels: all
- Claimed fuel consumption: 9.6 L/100 km
- Top speed: 150 km/h
What are we driving?
By all accounts, this is only the fourth update of this generation of Toyota Land Cruiser 70 since it was introduced 40 years ago.
In the spirit of not changing a winning formula, the ladder-frame sibling of the modern Land Cruiser family – alongside its flagship 300 and soon-to-be-launched Prado siblings – is set to build on its reputation as an ultimate workhorse solution. This is despite its unapologetically dated components, underpinnings and, indeed, switchgear.
Why is the updated Land Cruiser 70 significant?
With a reputation for rugged, reliable, go-anywhere toughness, the Land Cruiser 70 remains the mainstay of notably the agriculture sector in South Africa. As explained at the local launch event – and as was witnessed as our convoy headed into the lush Limpopo Province – the Land Cruiser also remains an aspirational purchase, one that shows a level of success in the farming and agricultural sectors. In a mining environment, where the Hilux won’t go, the Land Cruiser 70 is called in…
What’s new on the updated Land Cruiser 70?
The updated LC 70 is recognisable via a new exaggerated bonnet bulge compared with the outgoing vehicle. Together with a new grille and bumper application, as well as proud Toyota lettering on the snout, the updated package is designed to pay homage to this vehicle’s rich heritage that harks back to the first all-conquering BJ model in 1951.
While the 70’s interior remains an exercise of old-school simplicity, there is at least a new touchscreen infotainment display capable of mirroring the functions of your mobile phone – when there’s reception. A new flagship VX derivative (pictured) introduces a factory-fit nudge bar and decals, as well as leather upholstery, added sound deadening, an upgraded sound system, a handy reverse camera and the option of a refrigerator installed between the front seats. Together with revised styling and a subtle update to the interior, the significant news in terms of the 70 Series is the adoption of the brand’s venerable 2.8 GD-6 turbodiesel engine and automatic transmission as an option throughout the range, including the 79-designation double- and single-cab and (76) station wagon body shapes.
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While some might scoff at the idea of an in-line four-cylinder engine being offered in a range of otherwise substantial vehicles that has historically featured (and continues to offer) a flagship 4.5-litre V8 unit, together with inevitably improved efficiency, both the numbers and a subsequent extended test drive suggest that Toyota’s proven GD-6 engine is certainly up to the task. As a reminder, the V8 offers 151 kW at 3 400 r/min with 430 N.m of torque available between 1 200 and 3 200 r/min. Fitted to the modern Hilux and Fortuner, the turbocharged 2.8 GD-6 offers 150 kW at 3 400 and 500 N.m of torque between 1 600 and 2 800 r/min.
A manual version of the GD-6-powered Land Cruiser 70 will be introduced towards the end of 2024.
What does the updated Land Cruiser 70 cost?
Single Cab
- LC79 4.0 Petrol S/C 5MT – R765 500
- LC79 4.2 Diesel S/C 5MT – R829 000
- LC79 4.5 Diesel V8 S/C 5MT – R956 200
- LC79 2.8 GD-6 Diesel S/C 6AT – R917 100
Double-Cab
- LC79 4.0 Petrol D/C 5MT – R864 600
- LC79 4.2 Diesel D/C 5MT – R920 800
- LC79 4.5 Diesel V8 D/C 5MT – R1 039 200
- LC79 2.8 GD-6 Diesel D/C 6AT – R1 009 000
Station Wagon
- LC78 4.2 Diesel SW 5MT – R900 100
- LC76 4.5 Diesel SW 5MT – R1 076 800
- LC76 2.8 GD-6 Diesel SW 6AT– R999 900
- LC 76 2.8 GD-6 VX Diesel SW 6AT – TBC
What are the updated Land Cruiser 70’s rivals?
The closest modern rival to a Land Cruiser 70 in terms of platform and mandate is likely the INEOS Grenadier, including its new Quartermaster double-cab derivate. This product is notably more sophisticated than the Toyota and carries a significantly bigger pricier tag, too.
Verdict
There’s something refreshingly cool about driving a back-to-basics vehicle like the Land Cruiser 70. While I understand the important role that this product continues to play in hard-to-reach parts of the world, it’s impossible not to smile at the prospect of in the year 2024 still needing to manually raise the aerial for the audio system or operate a set of three slide controls and two rotary dials to call upon air conditioning.
Despite its imposing stance, the cabin of the Land Cruiser remains laughably compromised in terms of space. Rear passenger legroom in both the Wagon and the double cab is more cramped than it ought to be and what storage space there is throughout the interior is frustratingly small.
On a positive note, the 70’s default ride quality is impressive over most surfaces, and it will still travel unhindered in any direction that you point the nose to – including up or down. The introduction of the 2.8 GD-6 is a game-changer in terms of around-town performance, but also efficiency. Toyota claims an average combined fuel consumption of 9.6 L/100 km for the new model compared with 10.7 L/100 km for the V8. While the 70 doesn’t offer an average fuel consumption readout within its basic trip computer menu, we look forward to completing a fuel run with this vehicle once we have it on test.
Toyota South Africa predicts a continued trend towards existing owners upgrading or, indeed, simply adding to their collection of Land Cruisers, while the double-cab is likely to remain the most popular body style.
