LandCruiser 70 Series Engines: 4.5L V8 vs 2.8L Four-Cylinder
You want to know what engine is in a 70 Series. For most of its modern Australian life the answer was the 4.5 litre V8 turbo diesel, and nothing else. From 2024 Toyota added a second option, a 2.8 litre four-cylinder turbo diesel paired with an automatic, so you can now buy either. Here's what each engine is, the headline figures, and how to weigh up the choice.
Confirm the exact specification of any individual vehicle with Toyota or the seller, because outputs and availability vary by build date and configuration. What you have here are the widely published Australian specifications, so treat them as a guide and not a quote.
The two engines
- 4.5L V8 turbo diesel (1VD-FTV). The long-serving V8, paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. This is the engine that built the modern 70 Series reputation.
- 2.8L four-cylinder turbo diesel (1GD-FTV). The newer option introduced in 2024, shared in design with the HiLux and Prado families, paired with a 6-speed automatic.
Those are the two diesels in the current Australian 70 Series range. Both are turbo diesels driving through a part-time four-wheel-drive system. The difference you'll notice first is cylinders and gearbox: a manual V8 on one side, an automatic four-cylinder on the other.
Power, torque and gearbox
| Engine | 4.5L V8 (1VD-FTV) | 2.8L four-cylinder (1GD-FTV) |
|---|---|---|
| Cylinders | V8 turbo diesel | Inline four turbo diesel |
| Approx. power | Around 151 kW | Around 150 kW |
| Approx. torque | Around 430 Nm | Around 500 Nm |
| Gearbox | 5-speed manual | 6-speed automatic |
On paper the peak power is close to identical. Go with the four-cylinder and you get more torque and an automatic, which a lot of buyers want for towing and stop-start work. The V8 gives you eight cylinders and a manual, and that's exactly why a large part of the 70 Series following won't buy anything else.
Is the Four-Cylinder as Good as the V8?
This is the heart of the debate, and the honest answer is that the two engines suit different drivers.
The 2.8L four-cylinder puts an automatic gearbox in the 70 Series for the first time and makes strong torque. In traffic and on a tow, the auto does the work for you. It's the practical, modern pick.
The 4.5L V8 has decades of proven service behind it, along with the sound and character the 70 Series is known for and a simple, well-understood manual driveline. Long-term owners and remote-area operators rate that track record and they won't move off it.
Neither is a wrong answer. If you want an automatic and the latest driveline, the four-cylinder makes sense. Prefer the traditional 70 Series experience and the V8 reputation, and the V8 is still on the price list.
Common questions
What engine does the LandCruiser 70 Series have?
Two turbo diesels, in the current Australian range. You can have the 4.5 litre V8 (1VD-FTV) with a 5-speed manual, or the 2.8 litre four-cylinder (1GD-FTV) with a 6-speed automatic, introduced in 2024. Both drive through a part-time four-wheel-drive system.
Is the 2.8L four-cylinder as good as the 4.5L V8?
They suit different drivers. The 2.8 litre four-cylinder brings an automatic gearbox and strong torque, and it's the easier vehicle to drive in traffic and when you're towing. The 4.5 litre V8 has decades of proven service, the traditional 70 Series character and a simple manual driveline. Neither is a wrong choice.
How much power and torque does the 70 Series make?
As a guide, the 4.5 litre V8 makes around 151 kW and 430 Nm, and the 2.8 litre four-cylinder makes around 150 kW and 500 Nm. Outputs have varied over the years and by build date, so confirm the figures for the specific vehicle with Toyota or the seller.
Does the 70 Series come in an automatic?
Yes. The 2.8 litre four-cylinder turbo diesel introduced in 2024 is paired with a 6-speed automatic. The 4.5 litre V8 stays with the 5-speed manual. So if you want an automatic 70 Series, you're buying the four-cylinder.
Whichever engine you run, the cabin is the same
- Fit a 70 Series head unit with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto
- Add a 70 Series cruise control kit
- Cool a hard-working diesel with a 70 Series intercooler fan kit
The V8 and the four-cylinder share the same 70 Series dash and cabin, so you can fit those upgrades to either one.