Review - 2024 Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series

Designed primarily as a workhorse, the 70 Series is a vehicle known for getting its hands dirty, which has made it a favourite with adventurous and hard-working Aussies alike.

Headlining a solid list of upgrades for the latest LandCruiser 70 Series is an updated design, a new turbo-diesel engine option lifted from the HiLux and a new six-speed automatic transmission for the first time in the range.

How does the new engine perform in the updated LandCruiser 70 Series, and how does it hold up against its rivals? Let’s take a closer look to find out.

LandCruiser 70 Series Competition

Starting Price: $75,600

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How Much Does It Cost?

Prices for the LandCruiser 70 Series 2.8-litre diesel kick off from $75,600 for the entry-level 76 Series WorkMate Wagon, with prices rising to $79,800 for the 76 Series Wagon GXL, once again up to $79,200 for the 78 Series Troop Carrier WorkMate and up to $82,500 for the 78 Series Troop Carrier GX.

For those looking for a single-cab chassis, the 79 Series is priced at $76,800 for the Workmate, $78,800 for the GX and up to $80,900 for the 79 Series single-cab chassis GXL with prices for the 79 Series double-cab chassis WorkMate standing at $79,300 and up to $83,500 for the 79 Series double-cab GXL.

For fans of the 4.5-litre V8 turbo-diesel, the 76 Series Wagon GXL is priced at $83,900 with prices rising up to $83,400 for the 78 Series Troop Carrier WorkMate and up to $86,600 for the 78 Series Troop Carrier GXL.

 The 79 Series single cab chassis is priced at $80,900 for the Workmate variant, $82,900 for the GX and $85,000 for the 79 Series single cab GXL.

Finally, the 79 Series double-cab WorkMate is priced at $83,400 while the range-topping 79 Series double-cab GXL is priced at $87,600.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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Toyota Landcruiser 70 Series (LC79 WORKMATE) Specifications

What Features Does the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series Have?

Toyota’s entry-level LandCruiser 70 Series WorkMate range comes riding on 16-inch steel wheels and is fitted with LED headlights, a black grille, a snorkel, steel side steps, vinyl upholstery, air conditioning, heritage bonnet and indicators, a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 6.7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

The 76 Series Wagon picks up a rear-view camera while the GX range picks up a set of 16-inch alloys, over-fender flares and front mudguards.

Stepping up to the LandCruiser 70 Series GXL range adds LED fog lights, aluminium side steps, cloth upholstery, chrome roof rails and an upgraded four-speaker sound system.

Range Features:

• 16-inch steel wheels 

• LED headlights

• Black grille

• Snorkel air intake

• Steel side steps

• Vinyl upholstery 

• Air conditioning 

• 6.7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

• Rear-view camera (76 Series Wagon)

• 16-inch alloys (GX) 

• LED fog lights (GXL) 

• Aluminium side steps (GXL) 

• Cloth upholstery (GXL) 

• Chrome roof drip rails (GXL) 

• Four-speaker sound system (GXL)

What Engines Are Available for the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series?

Toyota’s update for the 70 Series has introduced a new engine lineup, with the company’s 2.8-litre turbo-diesel unit snatched from the HiLux range making its way to the 70 Series.

Toyota’s 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel unit kicks out 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission only, and a part-time 4x4 system with a low-range transfer case.

The company also offers a much larger 4.5-litre V8 turbo-diesel unit for the 70 Series lineup that produces 151kW of power and 430Nm of torque which is available only with a five-speed manual.

Is the LandCruiser 70 Series Comfortable on the Road?

For those wondering if Toyota’s update for the almighty 70 Series might have made it more civilised in and around town - absolutely not, it’s as hardcore as ever.

Toyota’s fans turn to the 70 Series for its bulletproof design and incredible strength while towing and off-roading, which means that it’s not the most refined driving experience around town, though it’ll go further than almost any other car on the road.

On the road, the LandCruiser 70’s design means that it feels incredibly solid and somewhat rough around the edges, though transplanting the HiLux’s turbo-diesel has made it much quieter and low-speed acceleration significantly smoother.

Around town, the 70 Series doesn’t bother trying to hide its substantial platform and the heavy steering rack makes it far less user-friendly than a comparable ute or modern body-on-frame SUV rival.

As you pick up speed, the ride quality feels springy, with a heap of give in the suspension due to its off-road and workhorse nature, though its heft helps to keep it planted on the highway.

All things considered, on-road manners are more of an afterthought for a vehicle like the 70 Series, and that’s because there’s almost nothing that will stop it when the tarmac stops and the dirt starts.

Is the LandCruiser 70 Series Good Off-Road?

Over four generations, Toyota has mastered the recipe for a hardcore off-roader and workhorse that has been the backbone of Outback Australia for decades now.

Toyota’s recipe for the 70 Series has always been a simple one, but incredibly effective when the going gets tough.

At the front, you’ll find a live axle with radius arms and coil springs with a live rear axle and leaf springs and a locking differential helping you to conquer any terrain you throw at it, while the torque from the turbo-diesel engines provides all the push you need.

Toyota LandCruiser 76 Series Wagon Off-Road Specs

• Approach Angle: 33 - 35 degrees

• Departure Angle: 23 - 25 degrees 

• Ground Clearance: 290 - 305mm

Toyota LandCruiser 79 Series Single Cab Chassis Off-Road Specs

• Approach Angle: 33 - 35 degrees

• Departure Angle: 27 - 29 degrees 

• Ground Clearance: 316 - 330mm

Toyota LandCruiser 79 Series Double-Cab Chassis Off-Road Specs

• Approach Angle: 33 - 35 degrees

• Departure Angle: 27 - 29 degrees 

• Ground Clearance: 302 - 317mm

How Much Can the LandCruiser 70 Series Carry and Tow?

The LandCruiser 70 Series is arguably the benchmark for towing and particularly payload figures for any body-on-frame 4x4 package, and even with the smaller engine, it remains atop the leaderboard for payload and GVM figures.

76 Series Wagon

• Four-cylinder diesel Payload: 1190kg

• V8 diesel Payload: 1155 - 1210kg 

• Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM): 3510kg 

• Gross Combination Mass (GCM): 7010kg 

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3500kg

79 Series Single Cab Chassis

• Four-cylinder diesel Payload: 1190kg

• V8 diesel Payload: 1155 - 1210kg 

• Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM): 3510kg 

• Gross Combination Mass (GCM): 7010kg 

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3500kg

79 Series Double Cab Chassis

• Four-cylinder diesel Payload: 1305 - 1365kg

• V8 diesel Payload: 1315 - 1380kg 

• Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM): 3510kg 

• Gross Combination Mass (GCM): 7010kg 

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3500kg

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Toyota’s addition of the 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel has made the 70 Series range more fuel-efficient than before the update.

The base unit is rated at 9.6L/100km on a combined cycle, which is a considerable drop from the 4.5-litre turbo-diesel consumption figures of 10.7L/100km.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

While it might not win any design awards, the LandCruiser 70 has received a particularly spacious cabin, primarily thanks to the super tall body that, while narrow, offers also great visibility and space.

There aren’t massive changes over the previous generation, though you will find a new and significantly more modern infotainment display with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

The cabin layout is quite boxy, offering a tall dashboard sitting atop the gear lever which is flanked by a cup holder and a narrow storage tray that stretches its way back to the central armrest.

It’s a utilitarian approach first and foremost, which means it lacks a number of the creature comforts and technological touches that its main rivals receive - but it’s built to work, get dirty and be cleaned out easily.

In wagon & dual cab variants, the second row picks up a heap of legroom which, combined with acres of headroom, makes the rear of the 70 Series quite the nice place to take the world in through the large windows.

The bench seat can fold and pitch toward the front row, allowing you to store bulky gear out of the elements and away from prying eyes in the case of the dual cab variant.

Is it Safe?

Safety isn’t the strongest selling point of the LandCruiser 70 Series range, though Toyota has made some improvements to the safety equipment list.

The 70 Series Single Cab Chassis picked up a five-star ANCAP safety rating back in 2016, though the rest of the range remains untested.

As standard, the LandCruiser 70 Series receives autonomous emergency braking, lane departure alerts and traffic sign recognition, while the 76 Series Wagon picks up a rear-view camera to help navigate tight car parks.

Our Verdict: Is the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series Worth it?

The latest 70 Series is a monumental vehicle - and nothing short of an apocalypse will stop it once it’s up and running.

If you demand go-anywhere capability and endless pulling power from your workhorse, it’s hard to match the LandCruiser 70 lineup, especially considering how much variety there is within the range.

While yes, even the updated model is seriously dated in some regards, in our mind, the LandCruiser 70’s rugged nature and unrelenting performance in tough conditions deserves its reputation as one of the most capable working vehicles on sale in Australia.

Don’t forget - if you’re looking to upgrade to a new car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find your dream car at the best possible price.

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty 
2. 2.8-litre & 4.5-litre turbo-diesel engines available 
3. 3500kg braked towing capacity 
4. 1155 - 1380kg payload figures 
5. Six-month/10,000km service intervals