Toyota Australia has lifted the lid on a heavily revised LandCruiser 70 Series, bringing the iconic workhorse its first-ever automatic transmission option alongside a raft of styling, safety and technology updates. The upgraded model is due to reach Australian showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2023.
The changes represent the most significant overhaul the 70 Series has seen in some time, touching on powertrain, exterior design, interior ergonomics and driver assistance technology across the full four-body-style lineup.
At a Glance
- New 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel produces 150kW at 3400rpm and 500Nm between 1600rpm and 2800rpm, paired exclusively with a six-speed automatic.
- Proven 4.5-litre V8 turbodiesel (151kW, 430Nm) continues, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.
- Redesigned front end references the classic LandCruiser 40 Series aesthetic.
- New 6.7-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto fitted across all grades.
- Toyota Safety Sense suite added, including lane departure alert, road sign assist and automatic high beam.
The headline addition is the 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, which makes 150kW at 3400rpm and a peak torque of 500Nm between 1600rpm and 2800rpm. That torque figure is 70Nm greater than the existing V8 diesel, a notable number for a vehicle so often used to haul heavy loads across demanding terrain. The four-cylinder unit is mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic and will be offered across three Single Cab grades (Workmate, GX and GXL) as well as Workmate and GXL grades for the Double Cab, Troop Carrier and Wagon variants.
The long-serving 4.5-litre V8 turbodiesel carries over, producing 151kW at 3400rpm and 430Nm from 1200rpm to 3200rpm. It remains paired with a five-speed manual and is available in the same grades and body styles, with the exception of the Wagon, which will be offered in V8 guise in GXL specification only.
Visually, the upgraded 70 Series gets a redesigned front end that Toyota says references the LandCruiser 40 Series, preserving the model's utilitarian character while giving it a fresher face. Inside, the instrument cluster and centre console have been redesigned for improved ergonomics, with a 4.2-inch multi-information display added to the cluster.
The multimedia system has been upgraded to a 6.7-inch touchscreen across all grades, now supporting wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On the safety front, Toyota Safety Sense makes its 70 Series debut with lane departure alert, road sign assist (speed signs only) and automatic high beam joining the standard kit.
Toyota Australia's President, Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, Sean Hanley, said the upgrades were designed to broaden the model's appeal without compromising what its customers value most. "Now with a new powertrain including an automatic transmission for the first time, along with the significant increase in safety and convenience technology, the LC70 is an ideal vehicle for those working on the land or as a tool of trade and recreational users heading off on an outback adventure," Mr Hanley said.
Full Australian specifications and pricing are expected to be released closer to the model's local launch later in 2023, which should give prospective buyers a clearer picture of where the automatic and manual variants sit in the lineup.
For existing 70 Series owners, the arrival of a factory automatic option and a more torque-rich four-cylinder engine will be worth watching closely when full specs and prices are confirmed.
