New for 2018, Toyota have revitalised their Land Cruiser with the overall length being increased by 60mm to 4,840mm (4,395mm for the three-door model).  Of course the bodywork has changed, and so has the interior, though it retains its 175bhp/130kW 2.8ltr D-4D turbodiesel engine.

After driving an array of very nice SUVs around the Wetherby countryside all day, jumping into the new Toyota Land Cruiser commercial, or as Toyota call it, a ‘workhorse’ Utility grade, was a breath of fresh air.  Maybe it’s the 4x4 enthusiast in me, but I hadn’t even left the carpark, and I was smitten. Joining the B1224 on the 20-minute route, and the smiles per miles just kept on coming. 

To be honest, I didn’t even notice the revised interior, I was enjoying the drive too much.

For quite a while now I’ve loved automatics purely for their ease, both when off the beaten track, and on the UK’s motorway network.  The latter is down to the constant stop / start delays that occur literally every time I need to go somewhere! However, the 6-speed manual was an utter delight, slotting into each ratio with the minimal of fuss. Acceleration was decent, and I particularly enjoyed that nice diesel roar.  

The ride wasn’t truck-like, but you’re acutely aware that you’re not driving a run of the mill ‘toy’ SUV either.  There was a bit of lean around corners, but it certainly wasn’t cumbersome.

After enjoying its on-road agilities, I found a few grass lumps in the car park and had a little play; the Land Cruiser handled them with total ease.

Opening the side-opening tailgate, there are, of course, no rear seats, instead you’ll find 2,216ltrs of space (1,574 litres in the SWB).  The load space is fitted with an edge-to-edge, non-slip flat floor tray and a full-height metal bulkhead behind the front seats.  In this LWB the rear doors open giving access from the sides and their windows are blanked out with a film that matches the Land Cruiser’s body colour.

On the subject of specs, both the SWB and LWB commercials are on 17”steel wheels with 225/70 R17 tyres. They do look a bit puny, and the first thing I would do if I bought one would be to throw some taller BFG All-Terrains on.  

The cabin was comfortable with cloth upholstery, adjustable head restraints, aux-in and USB connections and front, side and driver’s knee airbags. As a proper 4x4 it’s equipped with Multi-terrain ABS, Active Traction Control, Vehicle Stability Control, and on the LWB Trailer Sway Control. A tyre pressure warning system, dusk-sensing headlights, smart entry, front fog lights and roof rails are also included.

For me, it may not be a ‘looker’, but the Land Cruiser ticked a lot of boxes. 

It felt solid and dependable, and even after 20 minutes it has left its mark.  Hopefully soon I’ll have one for a week so I can go into more details - fingers crossed!

Price wise, the commercials are; SWB £27,546 (excl. VAT) and the Long Wheel Base for £28,509 (excl. VAT).