Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial
How does the converted version of the Japanese manufacturer’s legendary off-roader match up to the competition? John Kendall finds out
Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial
How does the converted version of the Japanese manufacturer’s legendary off-roader match up to the competition? John Kendall finds out
Is it a coincidence that Toyota has launched the latest Land Cruiser Commercial within months of the new taxation rules for pickup trucks? Probably not, particularly considering that Toyota already has a conversion facility at its Burnaston plant near Derby where the Corolla Commercial is produced. The plant has the facilities and the skilled workforce to carry out the work and, since the tax rules are peculiar to the UK market, Toyota is probably correct in identifying a market for a commercial 4x4 with more favourable taxation than pickup trucks.
Since Toyota can now supply either pickup truck or 4x4 commercial and can turn conversion volumes up and down as required, it has the off-road utility sector well provided for. Sales of the Land Cruiser Commercial began on 1 August.
As with passenger Land Cruiser models, the Commercial is built in Japan, based on the model launched a year ago. It comes into the UK as a passenger model and the conversion takes place at Burnaston. Production involves removing the rear seats, blanking off the windows with interior steel panel inserts and installing a full-height metal bulkhead with a mesh upper section. A full-length, edge-to-edge floor tray provides the load floor, complete with tie-down eyes. This gives a load floor 1,685mm long, up to 1,286mm wide and 1,090mm high, offering up to 2.0m3 in load volume. A braked towing capacity of 3,500kg will be welcomed by many utility users.
The range is restricted to a single five-door long wheelbase model. Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, powered back door with opening window hatch, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, electric parking brake and dual-zone air conditioning. The dashboard features a 9-inch touchscreen multimedia system, with wireless smartphone integration and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
The drivetrain delivers permanent all-wheel drive with selectable drive modes. Off-road systems include Crawl Control, hill start assist and downhill assistance to control speeds up and downhill. There are front and rear parking sensors, Safe Exit Assist and blind spot monitoring.
Power comes from Toyota’s 2.8-litre four-cylinder common-rail turbo-diesel engine producing 204hp between 3,000 and 3,400rpm and 500Nm of torque between 1,600 and 2,800rpm. The transmission features high and low ratios and a centre differential lock. Still to come is a 48V mild hybrid system, which should improve refinement and reduce fuel consumption.
Toyota has constructed an off-road course in the grounds of its Burnaston plant and we had an opportunity to drive around the route several times to compare the different drive mode options. The hill descent and ascent controls enable the driver to preselect a speed and simply guide the vehicle up or down hill with the steering wheel, leaving speed control and check braking to the on-board systems and automatic transmission. It couldn’t be simpler. With a range of drive modes available, drivers should be able to select a setting that best suits the terrain and their needs. As you might expect from a Land Cruiser, which first appeared in the 1950s, it is a very accomplished off-road performer.
Similarly, it could not be much easier to drive on-road, despite its size. Large door mirrors enable it to be positioned accurately, with manoeuvring made easy by front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. The eight-speed automatic transmission makes driving effortless and this Land Cruiser will eat up motorway miles or work across rough terrain with equal ease.
The large load area gives it competitive carrying capacity for a 4x4 commercial. Retaining the rear side doors also provides good access to the load space.
