After a nine-year break, the updated Land Cruiser 70 reenters the Japanese market. It's been available in places like South Africa and Australia, but disappeared from Japan in 2015 due to stringent safety rules. This new version meets these standards and joins Toyota's local lineup, which includes the Land Cruiser J250 and the J300 models.
In Japan, the Land Cruiser 70 is offered only in a five-door SUV format, stretching to 4,890 mm (192.5 inches) in length. Elsewhere, like in Australia and the UAE, different versions including a dual-cab pickup and a three-door SUV are available.
The refresh retains the classic Land Cruiser design while modernizing it. The front sports round LED headlights and protruding indicators, while the rear includes integrated taillights in a new bumper. The rugged look is accentuated by unpainted bumpers and wheel arches.
Inside, the setup is straightforward, featuring manual air conditioning, USB-C ports, power windows, and central locking. An analog instrument panel with a 4.2-inch screen is standard, but a touchscreen for infotainment is optional. New safety features include automatic emergency braking and lane departure alert.
The Land Cruiser 70's underpinnings have been updated for better ride comfort and handling while maintaining its off-road prowess. This includes a new suspension and electronic enhancements, alongside a 4WD system with an electronic differential lock.
Under the hood, there's a new 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, delivering 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS) and 368.9 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque. This engine, also used in the new Land Cruiser Prado, is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
In Japan, the starting price of the 2024 Land Cruiser 70 is around $32,500, closely matching the more advanced Land Cruiser 300, which starts at approximately $34,500. There's also a subscription option through Toyota's Kinto service for about $310 monthly.
Source: Toyota