The new Toyota Land Cruiser evokes confidence. Whenever you climb up into its well-appointed however completely useful cabin you’re immediately reassured by three issues. First, the badge on the steering wheel: TOYOTA. The maker’s mark is spelt out in full and, maybe to emphasize its heritage (relationship again as a mannequin title to 1951), with out the acquainted and extra up to date three-ellipse design seen on the remainder of the vary.
Second, as you look down on the array of buttons and switches within the console it’s possible you’ll be doubly assured that this old-school four-wheel drive car has all of the differentials, disconnects, stability help, traction management and dust mode that can assist any driver, be they skilled or fool beginner, get out of bother on any terrain. There’s a cause why Land Cruisers and Toyotas of comparable sorts are usually the car of selection of humanitarian businesses and terrorist insurgents alike. The ultra-sturdy ladder body, comparatively primitive suspension and glorious floor clearance add substance to the notion of functionality.
Third, you’ve the corporate of the homely 2.8-litre, four-cylinder mildly turbocharged diesel unit – a lazy beast that’s large on torque and low on revs. Energy is transmitted to all 4 wheels on a everlasting foundation via a clean, and never pressing, eight-speed computerized gearbox. The automobile may fit arduous on safari or the farm, however the engine by no means will get unduly harassed, and you already know that with minimal care it can attain absurdly excessive mileages, as certainly will this whole heavy unit.
The result’s that as you perch excessive above the street, you’re feeling the urge to embark on some lengthy romantic journey, crossing continents, traversing rivers (properly, shallow ones) and climbing mountains. I didn’t, sadly, as a substitute confining myself to the much less difficult landscapes of the East Midlands. It acquitted itself properly throughout the ruts of Rutland.
Actually, I fell slightly in love with it, only for that (ridiculous) psychological feeling, albeit well-evidenced within the real-life experiences of its loyal clientele, of indefatigability. It additionally simply appears very well-judged in contrast with its off-road rivals – in a candy spot. The final European-market Land Cruiser mainly seemed like a chrome gargoyle on wheels. This newest mannequin is pleasingly chunky and retro, recalling unique fashions from the Nineteen Fifties, and the more moderen throwback FJ40 curiosity.
In that respect, it’s just like the equally engaging, and succesful, Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, however the Merc is sort of twice as costly. The Vary Rover is as good-looking and traditional in its manner, however, once more, a premium-priced product tending to the sybaritic. A Land Rover Defender is in style and has a pleasant mix of traction and modernity, can address any probably task, and boasts a extra snug inside, nevertheless it lacks house, and, with the perfect will on the planet, can’t match the Japanese model for reliability.
The Ineos Grenadier is a self-consciously hardcore machine, however which means the steering could be very obscure on the freeway, and it’s extraordinarily pricey. The Land Cruiser doesn’t compromise on something necessary, and, beginning at £70,000, is relatively good worth, if you will discover one (provides are restricted). The gas financial system is admittedly grim, however there’s a hybrid coming, which could assist a bit, and we stay up for the all-electric battery mannequin with suitably lengthy vary.
The Spec
Toyota Land Cruiser Invincible
Value: £74,995
Engine capability: 2.9l, 4-cyl, turbo diesel, 8sp auto
Energy output (hp): 204
High velocity (mph): 102
0 to 60 (seconds): 10.9
Gasoline financial system (mpg): 26.4
CO2 emissions (WLTP, g/km): 276
It speaks for itself, actually, and could be very a lot as you’d anticipate, however I used to be stunned by how civilised, if a bit noisy, it’s to make use of on-road, and by how properly managed the standard SUV roll round corners is. It has a full set of driver help, cameras and bleepers to maintain you throughout the velocity restrict and to park the monster with out inflicting harm to smaller autos. It comes with 5 or the choice of seven seats, leather-clad and (within the entrance) heated and electrically adjusted. For the seven-seater, the rearmost row within the boot pops up electrically. All fold flat to create a powerful loadspace. And there’s a three-pin socket within the again and a cool field within the entrance, too.
I ought to level out that even more durable variations of the Land Cruiser, some based mostly on fashions phased out in most Western markets many years in the past, could be discovered overseas. However for many standard functions, the European market model of the Toyota Land Cruiser will do something you ask of it, uncomplainingly, and it’ll most likely see you out. It’s designed to be indestructible in regular use, and you’d have lots of enjoyable making an attempt to destroy it. A really critical toy.
