Toyota Land Cruiser 2.8 D-4D 204 First Edition 5dr Auto 7 Seats

Ten Second Review

Retro looks clothe cutting-edge technology in Toyota's J250-series Land Cruiser, which now features 48V mild hybrid tech. This go-almost-anywhere contender has looks as capable as the mechanicals beneath, and is now better ready to snare potential Land Rover Defender customers.

Background

The Toyota Land Cruiser is arguably the world's most iconic off-road driving model line. Switches between generations have happened rarely since the original version, the Toyota BJ, was first launched in 1961. Since then, 11.3 million Land Cruisers have been sold across 170 countries, with the most recent J150 version launched back in 2009. Back then, there were two sizes of Land Cruiser but Toyota no longer imports the larger one - the current J300 model - in Western Europe. Still, to compensate, this latest J250 design, announced in Autumn 2023, is a fraction larger than its predecessor - and quite a lot more sophisticated. There are plenty of headlines here, retro looks clothing an all-new body-on-frame GA-F platform. Plus new to the line are advances like electric power steering and a clever disconnecting anti-roll bar system for even more capable off road prowess. There's also stronger standards of safety and even the introduction of 48V mild hybrid electrification. Sounds promising.

Driving Experience

This J250 Land Cruiser is just about the only new-era model we can think of that could be excused a switch to full scale electrification, but it features it anyway in this updated form. The battery assistance is of the light 48V mild hybrid non-plug-in kind - which for some likely customers might be a relief; you don't want to be worrying about complicated full-Hybrid electronics when you're crossing the Zambezi. And you certainly don't want to be looking for a charging station. The battery bits have been added into the trusty 2.8-litre diesel that this J250-era design has campaigned with from the start, carried forward from the old J150 model. The Hybrid set-up is based around three principal components: an electric motor-generator, which replaces the conventional alternator; a 48V lithium-ion battery; and a DC-DC converter which controls the energy flow battery and motor. This electrified powerplant is paired to an 8-speed auto gearbox and in no way affects off road ability. The stats are much the same as before, so this 4WD 201bhp powertrain has 500Nm of torque and will tow up to 3,500kg. If ever a Land Cruiser switched to the kind of monocoque construction used by more tarmac- orientated large SUVs, it wouldn't really be a Land Cruiser. This one sticks with a traditional body-on-frame architecture, but mates it to the brand's current GA-F platform. The idea of course is to preserve this model's legendary off road prowess, further enhanced in the J250 design with greater wheel articulation. Another key improvement for this generation model is the disconnecting front anti-roll bar, which can be disengaged via a button on the dash to give maximum wheel articulation on really testing trails. The Multi-Terrain Select drive mode system's been enhanced over the old J150 design too, the set-up adapting vehicle performance to suit various kinds of off-road conditions. And there's a Multi-Terrain Monitor, which uses a high resolution camera and display to give the driver a clear view of the area immediately around and beneath the vehicle. Plus 'Crawl Control' can be used to maintain a low speed in off-road/downhill driving. It governs engine torque and brake pressure, avoiding wheelspin and wheel-locking and allowing the driver to focus on the steering. Where this J250-generation Land Cruiser really had to improve over its previous generation J150 predecessor was away from the rough stuff. Toyota somehow had to make it a better tarmac tool without compromising this model line's renowned off-road ability. Our test of the original version of this J250 design confirmed that progress in this regard had indeed been made. Combined body and frame rigidity is up by 30% on the old generation model, aided by that GA-F platform, which has reduced body roll and contributed greatly to handling responsiveness. This current-era Land Cruiser was the first Toyota to use a Stabiliser Disconnect Mechanism, which has the dual benefits of enhancing off-road performance and a more comfortable ride on standard roads. Using a switch on the centre console, the driver can unlock the front anti-roll bar (stabiliser), increasing suspension travel. Toyota claims the improved electric power steering system is more feelsome too.

Design and Build

A few decades ago, Land Cruiser design went through a compromised 'urban jungle'-style phase which thankfully has been dispensed with here as part of a chunky, tough 'back to origins' theme. SUVs as varied as Suzuki's Jimny, Jeep's Wrangler and Land Rover's Defender have proved the merit of this approach and this boxy J250 Land Cruiser model embraces it thoroughly. In long wheelbase form (the only version we're going to get), it measures 4,920mm long and 1,870mm tall. So it's slightly larger than its predecessor, with strong horizontal lines and headlights that were retro round in the initial 'First Edition' variant but which are now rectangular. Off-road performance is aided by short overhangs, sculpted corners and a narrowed lower body. Body parts have been designed for easy replacement in the event of damage. Just as important of course is what you can't see - a bit of old (traditional body-on-frame SUV architecture) and a lot of new (the brand's latest GA-F platform). At the wheel, there are big screens for both instrumentation and infotainment, with both being 12.3-inches in size. There's plenty of chunky switchgear too, designed so it can be easily used in rough terrain. There's a horizontally arranged instrument panel and the usual lofty Land Cruiser seating position. Overall, cabin quality's taken a real step up. Compared to this, the cabin of the previous J150-series model looks like something out of the Ark. The second row can't offer the kind of sliding bench you'll find in most large SUVs but feels fairly roomy. Sadly, you can't now have a third seating row. If you're delivering vital supplies to insurgents in Fallujah, you'll be glad of the enormous boot. Unlike the inconvenient side-hinged rear door of its predecessors, this J250-series model has a conventional top-hinged powered tailgate with a useful independently opening glass hatch. There's 566-litres of boot space. For more room still, you'll need to manually flatten the rear bench and if you do that, there's up to 2,000-litres of cargo capacity available.

Market and Model

These days, you can only (for this market at least) get a Land Cruiser in long wheelbase five-door form - and only with top 'Invincible' trim, which means a lofty pricetag that at the launch of this 48V mild hybrid version was just under £81,000. There is also a commercial vehicle variant (also based on the long wheelbase body shape). Because of this J250 generation model's switch to electric power steering, Toyota can these days offer this car with more of its 'Safety Sense' active safety and driver assistance features; specifically, the brand's 'Lane Tracing Assist' system. As for luxury equipment, well to better target the Land Rover Defender, there's a clear shift up-market. The 'Invincible' trim level includes seven seats with black leather upholstery. Equipment features include air conditioning with separate front and rear cabin controls and the Toyota Smart Connect+ multimedia system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and both cloud-based and embedded navigation. A head-up display, a fully digital driver's instrument combimeter, a 14-speaker JBL audio system, a Panoramic View Monitor, roof rails and a sunroof are also included. The 'Invincible' spec also has 20-inch black alloy wheels.

Cost of Ownership

Exemplary engine efficiency might not be of paramount significance to likely Land Cruiser owners, but it's pretty important for Toyota to achieve it here if this J250 model isn't to unacceptably drag down the brand's overall fleet CO2 average in Europe. But don't get your hopes up. The new 48V mild hybrid version of this car's sturdy 2.8-litre diesel isn't much more economic than the conventional version of this powerplant was (which, for reference, managed 26.4mpg on the combined cycle and up to 280g/km of CO2). Which means a set of returns that are deeply unremarkable and worse even than a clunky Ineos Grenadier. To give you some perspective on a more direct class competitor, a rival Land Rover Defender 110 D250 manages up to 32.8mpg and up to 226g/km of CO2. As before, exemplary depreciation should offset some of the big diesel's thirst. If the residuals from the previous model are carried forward, you can expect around 52% of your original purchase price back after the usual three year standard ownership period. That's thanks to the relatively low numbers sold, this car's bullet-proof quality and its loyal following. As before, maintenance costs can be kept down thanks to a fixed price servicing plan. And if you regularly service the car at a franchised Toyota dealer, your warranty can be extended for as long as 10 years. But if the previous reliability of this model line is carried forward, you'll almost certainly never need it.

Summary

There's a proven bullet-proof go-anywhere feel to this J250-series Land Cruiser that even its closest Land Rover Defender 110 rival can't quite emulate. Previously though, few customers could justify the crude performance in tarmac territory that earlier versions of this Toyota forced upon you. Things are different now though. This new-era model combines its wilderness capability with modern standards of handling, luxury, safety and infotainment. Of course, it still won't handle quite like a more compromised large luxury SUV would on tarmac, but as long as you're not throwing the thing about, that should hardly matter. It might seem a bit anachronistic for Toyota to have continued to engineer the range around diesel power - basically the same engine the Land Cruiser's used since the Noughties - but that remains the most suitable engine for the kind of car this is and has at least now been embelished with 48V mild hybrid tech. If you ever need to cross the Gobi desert, it'll keep going long after comparable powerplants in, say, a Defender or an Ineos Grenadier have waved the white flag. That's the kind of capability you're buying here. For loyal Toyota Land Cruiser folk, there really is no substitute.