The LandCruiser 70 Series has its most significant update in years. Toyota Australia has confirmed the upgraded range arrives with a second powertrain option, a redesigned exterior drawing on earlier LandCruiser generations, and new safety features including lane departure alert and road sign assist.
Since the current generation went on sale in 2007, you could only get the 70 Series with a 1VD-FTV 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 and a five-speed manual. That changes with the 2024 update. Toyota's 1GD 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel joins the range, paired with a six-speed automatic, as a second powertrain across every body style.
At a Glance
- New 1GD 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel automatic joins the existing 4.5-litre V8 manual across the 70 Series range.
- Four-cylinder produces 150kW at 3400rpm and 500Nm from 1600 to 2800rpm; V8 makes 151kW and 430Nm from 1200 to 3200rpm.
- Pricing starts from $75,600 plus on-road costs for the WorkMate 76 Series Wagon with the four-cylinder engine.
- Retro styling cues include circular LED headlamps, a square mesh grille, three-slot cooling vent inspired by the 75 Series and a hood vent borrowed from the 40 Series.
- New safety technology includes lane departure alert, road sign assist, automatic high beam and, on four-cylinder variants, downhill assist control.
Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said the new powertrain answers what buyers had been asking for. "The introduction of the new powertrain will not only broaden the appeal of the 70 Series range to more customers, but helps reduce weight, improve payload and reduce fuel consumption compared to the V8," Mr Hanley said. "It gives our customers the power of choice between the torque-rich four-cylinder automatic and the tried-and-true manual V8 across all four 70 Series body styles."
You can have either powertrain in every model except the WorkMate 76 Series Wagon, which comes only with the 2.8-litre four-cylinder. Braked towing stays at 3500kg on every variant, whichever engine you pick. The 4.5-litre V8 carries on with 151kW and 430Nm, matched to the five-speed manual on all variants except the 76 Series WorkMate.
The exterior is where you'll notice the change first. Circular LED headlamps with automatic high beam replace the old halogen cluster, and the outboard turning lamps recall pre-2007 models. A square black mesh grille with "TOYOTA" lettering sits above a three-slot cooling vent drawn from the 75 Series, and a small hood vent references the original 40 Series. GX and GXL grades wear dark grey metallic 16-inch alloy wheels, with wide bumpers and black overfenders.
Inside, the instrument cluster borrows from the 40 Series speedometer and gains a 4.2-inch colour multi-information display. A new 6.7-inch multimedia unit supports wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the steering wheel controls handle hands-free phone pairing. Below the air-conditioning controls you get a 12V outlet and two USB-C ports on GXL grades. Wagon variants gain 60:40 split-fold second-row seats that tumble forward for cargo space, plus a reversing camera with static guidelines.
Automatic models get a new centre console with a lidded storage box, a cupholder and small item compartments. WorkMate and GX grades keep vinyl upholstery. GXL models step up to grey fabric.
Pricing spans $75,600 for the 76 Series WorkMate Wagon with the four-cylinder up to $87,600 for the 79 Series Double Cab Chassis GXL with the V8 manual, both plus on-road costs. Front and rear differential locks are a $1,500 option on eligible grades, and premium paint adds $675. Servicing is capped at $525 per interval for the first five years or 100,000km, with a five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty extended to seven years on engine and driveline parts.
So the auto now sits on the price list beside the V8 manual, across all 4 body styles. Whichever you order, the 3500kg braked towing and the 70 Series platform underneath it stay the same.
