Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series (2024) first drive review - Smaller engine, more appeal

The Land Cruiser nameplate needs little introduction. Anyone who has stepped even slightly outside of the city has encountered one. Those living outside the city, in the rugged bush or vast farmlands, swear by it. It is the quintessential go anywhere, do anything mule that is the staple on the farm, game reserve, and out on site. It's been around for more than 70 years, and in the last 40, the recipe has remained largely unchanged - a testament to the ethos that if it isn't broken, don't fix it.

Related: Global reveal of the new Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series and 250 Series

The latest update to the 70 Series sees it refreshed with a new look, the addition of a new powertrain system, enhanced convenience and safety features, but it still retains the same rugged durability that has made the model popular for the discerning customer.

Toyota's Land Cruiser range is broken up into three, with the Land Cruiser 300 positioned as the full-size offering, the Prado as the light-duty alternative, and the 70 Series the Heavy Duty workhorse. Numerous technological updates have found their way into the first two, but the 70 Series has always remained the utilitarian approach to mobility in the harshest environments.

New Land Cruiser Styling

When the 70 Series launched in 1984, the front grille sported the Toyota lettering and was flanked by two round headlights. Over the years, the updates saw both of these fade into obscurity, but now they're back. Circular, halogen headlights rest on either side of a split front grille with a bonnet vent that is reminiscent of the earlier 40 Series above a reprofiled front bumper that has been chamfered and shaped to allow for better clearance and minimize the chances of it catching on the brush. The bumper is detachable, allowing for a wide range of aftermarket bumpers and accessories to be fitted, as is customary for many Cruiser owners. The indicators are separate from the headlights and grille, positioned on the outer edges of the fenders, allowing for better visibility and ease of replacement.

Black over-fenders and dark grey metallic alloy wheels dress up the side profile of the new Land Cruiser. Customers of the new Land Cruiser will be able to choose from the familiar colours of Ivory White, Satin Silver Metallic, Sand Beige, Graphite Grey Metallic, Ruby Metallic and Dark Blue, while the LC78 Wagon version sees the addition of Attitude Black and Avante-Garde Bronze.

The interior is tweaked as well with the addition of a new steering wheel design that will be familiar to Hilux owners, a new gauge cluster, redesigned centre fascia with touchscreen infotainment system, refreshed HVAC control panel and new colour for the centre console box. LC76 wagon versions see the addition of two USB C charging ports but miss out on the passenger-side door card cupholder. The LC76 also sees the addition of split folding rear seats in a 60/40 configuration.

Smaller engine, more torque

The big upset that has many an enthusiast up in arms is the introduction of a 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine and a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Now, customers will be able to select the 2.8-litre GD-6 engine, similar to the one found in the Hilux, and enjoy the numerous benefits that come with this combination. Producing 150 kW and 500 Nm, the smaller power unit is only 1 kW down from the output of the revered 4.5-litre V8 diesel engine but, more importantly, is 70 Nm up from the dated unit. The power delivery is remarkably similar as well, with the GD-6 reaching the power peak at 3 000 RPM (3 400 RPM for the V8) and achieving the peak torque at a slightly higher 1 600 RPM and carrying that through to 2 800 RPM. By comparison, the V8 torque starts at 1 200 RPM, but at the 1 400 RPM point, both produce the same amount of torque. Cooling is not an issue, and Toyota has reworked the cooling system to help ensure that the GD-6 power plant runs cool and effectively.

By far, the best addition is the switch to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The Cruiser still retains its part-time 4x4 system with 2-High, 4-High, and 4-Low ranges, and the new 4-cylinder model also receives rear locking differentials. Despite the downsizing of the engine capacity, the Cruiser still maintains a 3 500 kg braked towing capacity.

The 4.0, 4.2, and 4.5 remain part of the lineup, and some engine combinations will start being phased out. A manual 2.8 GD-6 is also on the cards in the near future, as is the new 2.8 GD-6 VX with its Rockford Fosgate sound system, impressive interior trimmings and elegant finishes.

On and off the road

Any concerns about the performance of the 2.8-litre engine can be put to rest immediately. The pairing is a match made in heaven, and I don't see any reason for having to endure the thirst associated with the dated V8. A 300+ km trip to the exclusive Noka Camp at the Lapalala Wilderness, situated in the Waterberg Conservation Biosphere, showed that the new Land Cruiser is perfectly suited to long-distance highway travel, sipping fuel and providing an estimated range of over 1 300 km from a single 130-litre tank. Toyota hasn't published official fuel consumption figures yet, but the improvement is immediately noticeable.

Switching to 4H for the graded gravel roads, the LC76 Wagon that I was piloting ate up the surface with consummate ease, providing a sure footing and respectable amount of feedback through the steering, allowing me to position the Cruiser as needed on the gravel road. Traction control, hill start assist, and descent control all find their way into the 4-cylinder Cruiser, adding peace of mind and allowing less-experienced drivers to travel in greater safety.

Taking to a lengthy 4x4 route through the 48 000 hectare conservation area, both the Land Cruiser 76 and double cab Land Cruiser 79 showed that the torque delivery is perfectly suited to the rough stuff and the programming of the auto gearbox ideally suited to those who are looking for a stress-free venture over obstacles. The LC79 is significantly tauter in the rear, as is to be expected, with the LC76 wagon offering a greater deal of comfort for rear-seat passengers.

Along the way, the beautiful Waterberg offered up some amazing sightings, 4 of the big 5, numerous others and vistas that have to be seen to be appreciated. All of this is possible through the capabilities of the rough and rugged Land Cruiser 70 Series. No path is too rough nor gradient too steep to conquer, you feel. The Land Cruiser feels as if it was designed with Africa in mind and all the challenges that it throws your way. There's a synergy there that is hard to beat.

VX model shown

Prices