Road test: solid Land Cruiser lives up to its reputation

Toyota had some good news to coincide with my test drive of the latest version of the Land Cruiser 4x4. Fresh from driving its most immediate competitor in recent weeks, the Land Rover Discovery, I took the Land Cruiser to the roads and fields just as Toyota Ireland was announcing that it will re-introduce the five-seat commercial version of the jeep.

The Land Cruiser has been renowned as a solid 4x4, one that farmers and contractors have come to rely upon. Changes in the taxation legislation took the five-seat commercial version of the Land Cruiser from the Irish market in July 2018. Now, Toyota has achieved what is called N1 status for the five-seat Land Cruiser, once again making it eligible as a commercial vehicle with a full five-seat capacity.

While the business five-seat Land Cruiser won’t be available for delivery until July this year, Toyota dealers are already taking orders for 192 deliveries in anticipation of significant demand. The new Land Cruiser is currently the only five-seat commercial 4x4 available on the market, which means that Land Rover will have to offer a Discovery response in the very near future.

I took the commercial Land Cruiser for a test drive and it provided me with a useful, timely comparison with the Discovery. The Land Cruiser can’t match the Discovery in terms of raw engine power and torque. Neither can it match its 3.5t towing ability as the Land Cruiser is rated at 3t. It can’t match its on-road comfort either.

All this might read as a negative for the Land Cruiser, but for Irish farming users, the strength and reliability of this Toyota 4x4 ultimately wins through. The Land Cruiser’s double-wishbone front suspension and the four-link system with coil springs on the rear are not a match for the comfort that Land Rover offers in the Discovery. However, it is robust and strong, and comes with a huge reliability offer to take the knocks that are part of everyday 4x4 use on Irish farms.

Out on the road, the six-speed Land Cruiser gearbox gives good ratios that will allow for a solid towing performance. The long wheelbase commercial version, which I drove, comes with a flat floor and mesh bulkhead for driver protection when carrying loads.

The boot door opens to the right and is strong and heavy. There’s a full-size spare wheel mounted externally under the rear floor – and that’s essential. Like the spare wheel issues with the Discovery, this needs a proper locking device as the wheel is too valuable. All commercial versions come with a towing hook as standard, although my test version had yet to have one fitted.

The Land Cruiser is available in manual or automatic; the latter adds €2,000 to the list price. That’s a worthwhile and affordable option and it brings with it some additional features, such as hill start, assist control and downhill assist control, both of which can prove useful in field-driving conditions.

Within the cabin, that solid-feel permeates.

The dash layout has been upgraded and the large 8in Toyota Touch infotainment screen has been brought down a little and is now better incorporated into the overall layout. There is a sturdy feel to the leather steering wheel and the controls are easy to set and use.

There is more specification on this Land Cruiser in terms of information on the dash and speedo than before. Settings are easily managed, seat comfort is good as is seat adjustment. Unlike the Discovery, there are no Isofix couplings in the front passenger seat.

Larger 4x4s are not noted for their fuel economy figures and trailer pullers know too well the impact that hitching a loaded trailer has on fuel economy. My test drive gave a range of 870km with the full 87-litre fuel tank. That converted to an economy figure that was surprisingly close to the new officially rated figure of 13.5km/l (7.5/100km or 38mpg).

That’s competitive with the Discovery. However, it did surprise me a little. Toyota’s six-speed manual gearbox pushed the Land Cruiser’s four-cylinder engine to more than 2200rpm in order to achieve a motorway speed of 120km/h.

It is also a little disappointing that Toyota’s excellent safety sense system is now included in the standard package for the Land Cruiser commercial, or the new five-seat business version that’s on the way back. Trailer Sway Control is included and that’s especially useful for many rural drivers who use their 4x4’s for towing.

Toyota still offers a short wheelbase commercial version of the Land Cruiser, while the entry price for the longer one that I drove starts at €44,950 including VAT or £34,208 in Northern Ireland. That’s very competitive relative to the more expensive Land Rover Discovery, with almost a €10,000 price difference.

This latest Toyota Land Cruiser retains its solid appeal. My towing experience in the past was one of solid power and good low-end torque with a fully loaded trailer. The return of the Toyota Land Cruiser business in July gives an option that many farming families will consider. While the price for this five-seat business version has increased significantly to close to €70,0000 including VAT, there is a VAT refund and other business expenses allowable that may suit the farm business needs, while giving those extra seats, so that option is always worth considering. It’s still a big jump from the two-seat commercial version, so do the maths carefully.

Engine 2.8 litre Diesel

Engine power 177hp

Engine Torque 450Nm

0 – 100km/h 12.1 seconds

Economy 13.5km/l (7.5/100km or 38mpg)

Fuel Tank Capacity 87 litres

CO2 emissions 197g/km

Road Tax Band Comm €333

Main Service 15,000km/12 months

Euro NCAP Rating 5 star (2015)

Towing rating 3000kgs

Warranty 3 years/100,000km

Entry price €44,950

N Ireland price £34,208