The Toyota Land Cruiser, recognised by many as the world’s most rounded off-road vehicle, is on sale in 2018 facelift form from £32,795.
The revised large SUV, which remains a left field choice in Britain (where 566 Land Cruisers were sold last year) in a class that includes high-selling models such as the Land Rover Discovery Sport, gets aesthetic and technical upgrades to improve its ergonomics and usability.
Its starting price leaves it £4440 more expensive than the Discovery Sport, but the Land Cruiser's clearer off-road focus arguably makes it the most rugged option in the segment.
Toyota is bidding to make it more luxurious so has added a new 8in touchscreen infotainment screen that houses the car’s multimedia system to the cabin. It is accompanied by a 4.2in multi-information screen and a new instrument binnacle.
Also added is a larger steering wheel, borrowed from the Land Cruiser V8 that is not sold in the UK (and remains popular in the Middle East), and front seat ventilation.
The car also now gets an electric heated windscreen and heated washer nozzles to further boost its premium credentials.
Minor aesthetic changes have been made to the exterior, including a new, slatted grille, and the car has also grown by 60mm in length, although the overall design remains recognisable.
British buyers will be offered just one engine with the Land Cruiser, a 2.8-litre turbodiesel producing 174bhp and 332lb ft. It will hit 62mph from rest in 12.7sec and has a top speed of 109mph. Claimed fuel economy is 38.2mpg, while CO2 is rated at 194g/km. Drive is sent to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.
In eastern European markets the car is also available with petrol engines of 2.7 and 4.0-litre displacements.
Join the debate
Add your comment
If you want something
If you want something reliable that will still be going strong in 20 years time buy the Toyota.
If you want something stylish (allegedly) that'll be ready for the knackers yard in 10 years time buy the Land Rover
Priorities
Heated washer nozzles but no Android Auto in 2018? Oh dear.
Land Cruiser Rules
Have to agree with ironrose and jamesf1. I am not a JLR hater, have never made a negative comment about them, but having travelled in Australia, Europe and North America, I agree the Land Cruiser is the default choice from an ownership perspective. I have a neighbour who bought his new in 2003, still has it, no issues whatsoever, and he tows off-road for business purposes on a regular basis. It's the US version, circa $90k. I accept that the Landie can sometimes be 'fixed' in the outback more easily due to it's less complex design, but the fact is the Land Cruiser does'nt break down in the first place.
For When 4x4 means more than SUV
The Landcruiser really has to be the beast of burden when it comes to "no breakdown enteratined" off-roading situations. Its a tad off the premium frills, but hardly needs such....as UN & RedCross have consistently proved. Its a utility kit.