Toyota has unveiled a refreshed version of the enduring Land Cruiser 70 Series, with updates under the bonnet too.
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This classic model, which dates back to 1984 and has seen three previous facelifts, boasts a stylishly revamped exterior, modern tech and safety features, plus a fresh four-cylinder turbodiesel alternative alongside the traditional V8.
Despite newer Land Cruiser iterations entering the scene, Toyota has continued to offer the venerable 70 Series in Australia and here in South Africa. This latest facelift, the fourth in line, brings the 70 Series back to the Japanese market after a hiatus since 2015, owing to safety regulation discrepancies.
The revamped 70 Series adheres to its lineage by presenting various body styles, including Single Cab, Double Cab, Troop Carrier, and SUV. The SUV variant measures 4 890 mm in length, 1 870 mm in width and 1 920 mm in height, with a 2 730 mm wheelbase. Placing it shorter than the Land Cruiser 250 Series and the 300 Series.
Inside, notable updates include a 4,2-inch instrument cluster screen with vintage graphics and a subtly revised centre console. Australian models across all grades enjoy a standard 6,7-inch infotainment touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, basic JDM-spec models appear devoid of this screen. The safety facet is also a step up, integrating the Toyota Safety Sense suite featuring lane departure alert, road sign assist, auto high beams, and more.
In case you missed it: Toyota’s 2024 Land Cruiser 250 Debuts with Two Retro Faces
Beneath the surface, the refreshed Land Cruiser 70 introduces a 2,8-litre turbodiesel engine generating a peak of 150 kW and 500 N.m. Toyota asserts that this upgraded powertrain blends enhanced fuel efficiency, reliability, low noise, and impressive off-road capabilities. This powerplant pairs with a 6-speed Super ECT automatic gearbox, transmitting power to all four wheels through the 4WD system.
The time-tested 4,5-litre V8 turbodiesel, producing 151 kW and 430 N.m of torque, remains available across all body styles but is exclusively paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. A comparison between the two powertrain options reveals that the larger V8 yields 1 kW more power but lags by 70 N.m in torque against the newer four-cylinder counterpart.
Is the introduction of the four-cylinder a welcome addition to the lineup?
