Is the Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series good for new drivers?
Are you starting a new job in the Kruger Park or just wondering if the ruggedness of the 70 Series may suit your image? Either way, we dive into what the Land Cruiser 70 Series offers those who are new to driving, and if it's a good idea.
We get it. You're cool as a cucumber, have a rugged style, and you think of yourself as a bit of an Indiana Jones, right? Does that mean you should own some kind of Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series? Perhaps not if you're a new driver. Here's why.
Size and handling
The Cruiser's large size and boxy shape will take some getting used to, especially if you did your driving test in a small, entry-level hatchback like the Suzuki Swift. The Land Cruiser 70 Series doesn't offer major manoeuvrability, even for expert and experienced drivers. This goes for the Single Cab, Double Cab, and the Station Wagon.
Read our Land Cruiser 70 Series (2024) First Drive Review here.
If you'll mostly be driving on farms and rugged terrain, it's fine. But trying to find parking in central Cape Town, especially in a building's basement parking, will be a nightmare. Trust us, even the Toyota Fortuner had us biting our nails when we hunted for parking in the Chris Barnard Memorial Hospital in Cape Town's CBD!
Limited convenience features
Older models weren't huge on safety and convenience features, but due to the Cruiser's sound structural integrity, we're pretty sure you won't be the one who is worse off if you collide with a Volkswagen Polo.
The latest models offer 2 airbags, Bluetooth, front fog lamps, and a touchscreen. A rearview camera and parking sensors, however, are not on the spec sheet; the only model that has this as standard is the top-spec Station Wagon. I find it curious that Toyota omitted this, as it's something drivers of all ages and experience levels prefer to have.
How reliable is the land Cruiser 70 Series?
Fuel economy
Now that the 2.8 GD-6 variants are available, fuel economy is much improved, but the other models will cost you dearly to keep on the road every day. If you're on a budget, you're far better off buying a compact SUV like a Toyota RAV4, Urban Cruiser, or even a pre-loved Hilux bakkie.
Land Cruiser 79 vs. VW Amarok vs. Ford Ranger: Running cost shootout
Price
Starting at R765,500 for the LC79 4.0 Petrol S/C 5 MT, the price of a new Land Cruiser is also hardly what a new driver can afford. Because they're so reliable and popular, they also hang on to their value really well, so used models that are affordable are hard to find.
Is the Land Cruiser 70 Series pricey to maintain? Find out here.
Verdict
If your lifestyle demands it and you have the budget, then yes, the Land Cruiser 70 Series is a great vehicle to own, but if you spend most of your days in urban environments, we recommend opting for something smaller with more features that you won't just pretend to love and cry every time you need to fill up with diesel.
