SUVs are living in a new golden age. Over the last few years, proposals as interesting as the Suzuki Jimny, the new Mercedes G-Class or the Ford Bronco have reached the segment. Meanwhile, one of the most popular SUVs on the market remained unchanged. Until now.
The Toyota Land Cruiser has just been completely renewed and its objective is clear: to continue being the king of SUVs. To achieve this, the Japanese brand has opted to combine technology with a neo-retro design and traditional elements of the 4x4 world, such as a chassis with spars and cross members.
The Toyota Land Cruiser maintains the chassis of spars and cross members
The Ford Bronco and the Jeep Wrangler just had their lives complicated. Toyota has just introduced the new generation of the Land Cruiser and promises to be the new rival to beat. In the same way as its American rivals, it opts for a design that mixes modern details, such as LED headlights, with classic solutions reminiscent of Land Cruisers from decades ago.
Toyota has chosen the fashionable formula in the segment and has opted for a neo-retro design reminiscent of the Land Cruiser of decades ago. Its square shapes, extremely marked wheel arches, and mirrors are inspired by the ancestors of the Japanese SUV.
In case it is not clear how important the historical legacy of the Land Cruiser is for Toyota, the Japanese company will debut its new SUV in the first half of 2024 with a launch edition that will have round headlights with an even more classic inspiration than the conventional square ones. This special series will also be painted in exclusive color combinations, such as cream yellow with a white roof.
Inside, however, the classic inspiration is less present and more similar to the latest Toyota releases. It is completely digitized, with a digital box and a central touch screen that shares a frame.
Of course, it maintains physical buttons for air conditioning and other functions and there is no lack of classic elements of the off-road world, such as the handles on the A-pillar or the knee protections on the center console.
Inside there is space for three rows of seats, so it can carry up to seven occupants. In part, it is thanks to the fact that its exterior dimensions grow compared to the current Land Cruiser. It measures 4.92 meters long (10 cm more), 1.98 meters wide (9.5 cm more), and 1.87 meters high (2 cm more). Its wheelbase also grows 6 cm, reaching 2.85 meters.
It is based on Toyota's GA-F platform that is already used by other Delk group models, such as the Lexus GX but is not sold in our market. For the peace of mind of 4x4 lovers, it is a chassis with stringers and cross members. And that gives clues to how much Toyota has taken off-road driving into account when developing this new generation of Land Cruiser.
Two things have characterized the Land Cruiser throughout its more than 70-year history: its efficiency in the field and its reliability. This new installment will have to show if it maintains the level of its predecessors, but before reaching the market it seems that it will fulfill at least the first question more than.
In addition to the chassis of spars and cross members, Toyota ensures that it has increased the rigidity of the chassis by 50% and the total rigidity of the car by 30%. It also debuts an electric power steering with which Toyota promises to improve low-speed maneuverability off-road.
In addition, it is the first Toyota to incorporate a standard disconnectable stabilizer bar. All these elements are complemented by the Multi-Terrain Monitor and the Multi-Terrain Select, that is, with the electronic part.
With regard to engines, our market comes with two options. It will be available with a turbocharged 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel (internal code 1GD-FTV) developing 204bhp and 500Nm of torque. This block will always be linked to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and, of course, to an all-wheel drive system.
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