Sentiment has no place in the hard-nose business of 4×4 buying and selling. But humour me for a minute because it has been a long time since I have driven a large commercial 4×4 (several passenger versions) here and there over the course of a few days.
So, when I was invited to test drive the new Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial (from €70,315 including VAT), I was happy to accept.
And sure, it would be a change from testing suburban compact electric crossovers. Not that there is anything wrong with compact electric crossovers; far from it.
But the thoughts of driving a big 4×4 diesel for a drive to, and around the midlands, and even putting it through a few paces off-road (a token nod to its prowess) seemed, somehow the right thing to do.
These 4x4s are fascinating objects. They condense technology, strength and power into an almighty rugged mix.
I’ve driven up the middle of rivers in one, over the side of a mountain, own the side of a snow-covered slope where skiers blessed themselves before taking off. You get the message.
own the side of a snow-covered slope where skiers blessed themselves before taking off. You get the message.
And every time I did so I’d marvel at how little I had to do: Long before AI prevalance, the likes of the Land Cruiser was doing 95pc of the hard work off-road. Me? – I’d give myself about 5pc for bothering to hold onto the steering wheel.
These giants were virtually driving themselves. And when off-road cruise control came along, they were even better equipped. Only a few times over the years, have I really had to drive and steer and gauge distances but that wasn’t to help the vehicle; it was to emphasise its prowess.
Well, there is the lates version of Crawl Control on the new Land Cruiser but I had no need of it.
Apart from the proliferation of technology, the big difference between 4x4s now and then is that there is much more emphasis on car-like comforts these days, as people spend long hours at the wheel on, often perilous underfoot conditions.
They need all the safety elements they can get – and a well-worked cabin reduces stress, thereby making it a safer place to be.
Certainly, the cabin in the 2dr would not be out of place with an upmarket passenger SUV or Crossover – synthetic leather seating is just one example of the sort of trim on a well-finished interior.
Yes there is a Passenger version, though the pricing is prohibitive.
They have so cleverly masked the Commercial with tinted panels from the B -pillar back that you’d swear it was a passenger model capable of carrying two or three rows of passengers.
But hidden behind the panels lie a large cargo area (2,129 litres), fenced off from the driver and front passenger with a strong caging.
Some relevant facts: Under the bonnet, is the latest diesel – the 2.8-litre (2,755cc) engine which has the power, in line with other elements, of managing a 3,500kgs towing capacity.
The large 4×4 is 4,925 mm long, 1,925mm tall (1,935 mm depending on model) and 1,980mm wide. It has a climbing angle of 42-degrees and a 700mm wading depth.
There is a 2,850mm wheelbase; the front overhang is 935mm and it’s 1,140mm at the rear. Ground clearance is 205.3mm. Climbing angle is 42-degrees.
Kerb weight comes to 2,360/2,485kgs depending on model/trim etc. Gross vehicle weight is 3,150kgs. Approach angle is 31-degrees while departure is 22-degrees.
The starting price, including VAT, begins at €70,315 for the Commercial. Excluding VAT, the Land Cruiser starts from €57,205.
The former was the price of my version but it doesn’t take some of the accessories into account.
Just so you know, the Platinum (passenger) offering vehicle costs €140,845. Imagine that: it’s twice that of the €70,315 Commercial.
It is understandable then that while Toyota expect to sell 1,000-to-1,500 Commercials next year, sales of the Passenger will be ‘in single digits’ (in other words up to 10).
Among the improvements I’ve mentioned are elements that boost off-road ability, more comfort in the cabin and better on-road dynamics.
It’s fair to say the Cruiser has always had a reputation for decent on-road driving. I found nothing to dissuade me from that in this latest model. I have driven passenger versions – as opposed to Commercials – over the years so I think I’m safe to say that.
Yes, a chassis can be tuned differently to cope with payloads and towing. But while driving the Commercial I noted on several occasions how well it handled on the tarmac. On the open road it wasn’t as smooth as I thought it would be but I still could not avoid the temptation to get a few good revs out of the 2.8-litre powerplant.
The new 4×4 now electronic power steering, 9ins multimedia screen and 7ins instrument cluster, wireless Android and Apple CarPlay, electric tailgate, synthetic leather seats, Safety Sense + 3 (Safe Exit Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, Emergency Driver Stop System, Proactive Drive Assis etc).
Also on board are towing hook, side steps mud guards, auto-fold rear-view camera with washer projector LED headlamps, front/rear fog lamps (LED, front/rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, electric front windows,
The Commercial’s road tax is €333; the passenger model is €2,400.
Now more than 65 years on the go, the Land Cruiser remains something of a benchmark of longevity for large 4x4s.
Among its keen rivals are the Land Rover Discovery and Defender.
It’s not cheap; nor was the engine altogether as smooth as I’d expected from a big Toyota, especially in lower gears over poor, slow/driving bog roads.
But there wasn’t a squeak out of its large frame over those rough roads and it held exceptionally straight and true regardless of the distortions of the dips and ruts that lay beneath.
That gives you an idea of how well built it is. You wouldn’t expect any less with a new model, or course. But as current owners of its many predecessors will vouch: it is built to last.
For all the reasons I have just mentioned, it retains its perennial high place on your ‘must drive’ large 4×4 shopping list.
I may have started out dripping with sentiment about times gone by. But there isn’t a drop in it for the hard-nosed decision you or your company, farm or business have to make before parting with around €70,000. Best of luck.
