[toggle title_open=”Car specifications” title_closed=”Car specifications” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]Price: $79,880
Engine: 4.5 litre V8 turbodiesel, 151kW/430Nm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel economy: 11.1 litres/100km
Emissions: 304g/km
Equipment: Bluetooth, idle-up switch
Safety: Three-star ANCAP crash rating
Factory warranty: Three year/100,000km[/toggle]
All Toyota Land Cruisers aren’t luxury vehicles with things like a fridge between the two front seats. Below the loaded 200 series wagons is a whole other range, the 70 Series, with few frills and designed to work hard. These are favourites of high-country farmers, the mining industry, contractors and anyone else needing a vehicle that won’t falter when the going gets tough. Recently, the range was rounded out with a double cab ute, providing an ability to seat five, yet still carry a decent load on its tray. Everything about the ute is heavy-duty including its motor, the 4461cc turbocharged V8 diesel. You’d think the V8 would provide a knockout punch, but “lesser” rivals can do much the same, or better. The engine puts out 151kW and 430Nm of torque at 1200rpm. However, Nissan’s top Navara has a V6 with 170kW and 550Nm at 1750rpm. Ford’s new five cylinder 3.2 litre produces 147kW and 470Nm from 1500rpm. However, the ’Cruiser’s V8 is an off-road gem, it works away at a bit above idle, lazily dealing with whatever the track throws up and dismisses loads as though they weren’t there. On road, at 100km/h the engine’s doing 2400rpm in fifth gear and feels like it could do with a sixth. Full or empty, ride and handling are good for a beam-axle vehicle with rear leaf springs. All this brawn isn’t cheap. In LX trim, it costs nearly $27,000 more than a Hilux double cab Tdi, and you still have to buy a deck, as Toyota sells it only as a cab-chassis. A more basic version is $73,680.
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Good features
Will work its heart out without complaint
Not so good
Really should have an automatic option
[box type=”tick” size=”large” style=”rounded”]Rating 8/10[/box]