Latest news with #LandCruiserCommercial
The Irish Sun
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
The Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial has all the comforts of an upmarket SUV and is even more unstoppable than a Hilux
From the driving seat, the Land Cruiser Commercial doesn't feel like a work truck VAN-TASTIC The Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial has all the comforts of an upmarket SUV and is even more unstoppable than a Hilux YOU started out with a Toyota Hilux pick-up. Worked it hard. And yourself. Did well. 3 The Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial is the perfect work vechile with all the comforts of an upmarket SUV Credit: Supplied 3 Behind the seats is a tough steel mesh partition and behind that, a hard flat floor Credit: Rod Kirkpatrick/RKP Photography Now you have crews of people working for you – and you give them Hiluxes. So what do you drive next? Toyota is still there for you. Meet the Land Cruiser Commercial. As tough as a Hilux. As fearless as a Hilux. Off the road, even more unstoppable than a Hilux. But from the driving seat this doesn't feel like a work truck. Yes, 70 years and 11 million Land Cruisers ago, it started as a bare-bones vehicle. The new one is a whole different league. From the driver's seat it has all the comforts of an upmarket SUV. Until you turn your head. Behind you is a tough steel mesh partition. Inside Toyota's UK production plant as it builds five MILLIONTH motor since first Carina E rolled off the line in 1992 Behind that, a hard flat floor. The rear side windows have black steel blanking plates. That means it still looks like a car, not a van, and less of a break-in target for low-lifes who are after your tools. Yet as a two-seat van, it's taxed lower than a double-cab pick-up. There's a strong UK angle. The vehicles arrive as completed five-seaters from the usual Land Cruiser assembly line in Japan. At Toyota's plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire, it meets a dedicated spanner crew. They strip out the rear, then fit all the parts to make it a Commercial. They did the same for the previous generation Land Cruiser, which was launched in a low spec. 'Unstoppable' The buyers said they wanted something nicer. Which is why this time around there's heated, vented, powered seats, a full infotainment screen and a rich set of driver assists. But comfort is about more than an equipment list. The Land Cruiser looks after you on the road. The engine's pretty quiet unless you flog it. The automatic box shifts with a gentle slur. The steering's precise, even if the body does lean over in bends. The suspension is supple. Don't pretend it drives like a car, but it's a step ahead of a Hilux by any of those measures. Don't worry, mind, it'll still carry 810kg, or tow a 3,500kg trailer. It's just as unstoppable off the road. 3 The Land Cruiser still looks like a car, not a van, making it less of a break-in target Credit: Supplied You can thank huge suspension travel, a low-ratio transfer box and diff lock. Plus there are canny electronic traction aids that kept me chugging steadily along whether it was uphill or down or just plain rocky. Plus, it's a Toyota. So if you keep up with the servicing, it's warranted to keep doing all that for ten years. So wherever it takes you, it shouldn't leave you stranded out there.
Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
The Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial has all the comforts of an upmarket SUV and is even more unstoppable than a Hilux
From the driving seat, the Land Cruiser Commercial doesn't feel like a work truck VAN-TASTIC The Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial has all the comforts of an upmarket SUV and is even more unstoppable than a Hilux YOU started out with a Toyota Hilux pick-up. Worked it hard. And yourself. Did well. 3 The Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial is the perfect work vechile with all the comforts of an upmarket SUV Credit: Supplied 3 Behind the seats is a tough steel mesh partition and behind that, a hard flat floor Credit: Rod Kirkpatrick/RKP Photography Now you have crews of people working for you – and you give them Hiluxes. So what do you drive next? Toyota is still there for you. Meet the Land Cruiser Commercial. As tough as a Hilux. As fearless as a Hilux. Off the road, even more unstoppable than a Hilux. But from the driving seat this doesn't feel like a work truck. Yes, 70 years and 11 million Land Cruisers ago, it started as a bare-bones vehicle. The new one is a whole different league. From the driver's seat it has all the comforts of an upmarket SUV. Until you turn your head. Behind you is a tough steel mesh partition. Inside Toyota's UK production plant as it builds five MILLIONTH motor since first Carina E rolled off the line in 1992 Behind that, a hard flat floor. The rear side windows have black steel blanking plates. That means it still looks like a car, not a van, and less of a break-in target for low-lifes who are after your tools. Yet as a two-seat van, it's taxed lower than a double-cab pick-up. There's a strong UK angle. The vehicles arrive as completed five-seaters from the usual Land Cruiser assembly line in Japan. At Toyota's plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire, it meets a dedicated spanner crew. They strip out the rear, then fit all the parts to make it a Commercial. They did the same for the previous generation Land Cruiser, which was launched in a low spec. 'Unstoppable' The buyers said they wanted something nicer. Which is why this time around there's heated, vented, powered seats, a full infotainment screen and a rich set of driver assists. But comfort is about more than an equipment list. The Land Cruiser looks after you on the road. The engine's pretty quiet unless you flog it. The automatic box shifts with a gentle slur. The steering's precise, even if the body does lean over in bends. The suspension is supple. Don't pretend it drives like a car, but it's a step ahead of a Hilux by any of those measures. Don't worry, mind, it'll still carry 810kg, or tow a 3,500kg trailer. It's just as unstoppable off the road. 3 The Land Cruiser still looks like a car, not a van, making it less of a break-in target Credit: Supplied You can thank huge suspension travel, a low-ratio transfer box and diff lock. Plus there are canny electronic traction aids that kept me chugging steadily along whether it was uphill or down or just plain rocky. Plus, it's a Toyota. So if you keep up with the servicing, it's warranted to keep doing all that for ten years. So wherever it takes you, it shouldn't leave you stranded out there.
The Sun
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
The Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial has all the comforts of an upmarket SUV and is even more unstoppable than a Hilux
YOU started out with a Toyota Hilux pick-up. Worked it hard. And yourself. Did well. 3 3 Now you have crews of people working for you – and you give them Hiluxes. So what do you drive next? Toyota is still there for you. Meet the Land Cruiser Commercial. As tough as a Hilux. As fearless as a Hilux. Off the road, even more unstoppable than a Hilux. But from the driving seat this doesn't feel like a work truck. Yes, 70 years and 11 million Land Cruisers ago, it started as a bare-bones vehicle. The new one is a whole different league. From the driver's seat it has all the comforts of an upmarket SUV. Until you turn your head. Behind you is a tough steel mesh partition. Inside Toyota's UK production plant as it builds five MILLIONTH motor since first Carina E rolled off the line in 1992 Behind that, a hard flat floor. The rear side windows have black steel blanking plates. That means it still looks like a car, not a van, and less of a break-in target for low-lifes who are after your tools. Yet as a two-seat van, it's taxed lower than a double-cab pick-up. There's a strong UK angle. The vehicles arrive as completed five-seaters from the usual Land Cruiser assembly line in Japan. At Toyota's plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire, it meets a dedicated spanner crew. They strip out the rear, then fit all the parts to make it a Commercial. They did the same for the previous generation Land Cruiser, which was launched in a low spec. 'Unstoppable' The buyers said they wanted something nicer. Which is why this time around there's heated, vented, powered seats, a full infotainment screen and a rich set of driver assists. But comfort is about more than an equipment list. The Land Cruiser looks after you on the road. The engine's pretty quiet unless you flog it. The automatic box shifts with a gentle slur. The steering's precise, even if the body does lean over in bends. The suspension is supple. Don't pretend it drives like a car, but it's a step ahead of a Hilux by any of those measures. Don't worry, mind, it'll still carry 810kg, or tow a 3,500kg trailer. It's just as unstoppable off the road. 3 You can thank huge suspension travel, a low-ratio transfer box and diff lock. Plus there are canny electronic traction aids that kept me chugging steadily along whether it was uphill or down or just plain rocky. Plus, it's a Toyota. So if you keep up with the servicing, it's warranted to keep doing all that for ten years. So wherever it takes you, it shouldn't leave you stranded out there.
Auto Express
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial van review
While the previous-generation Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial focused on offering a utilitarian 4x4 experience, the latest version is being pitched as a halo model for Toyota's commercial vehicle line-up. It's a niche machine, with only limited numbers of commercial 4x4s sold each year, but with a healthy payload, huge towing capacity and plenty of car-like comfort up front, the Land Cruiser Commercial offers a genuine alternative to a double-cab pick-up truck. Off-road ability is excellent, while on the road it's arguably a better machine than the SUV that it's based on, with the removal of the back seats reducing weight and allowing the diesel engine to perform more flexibly. The commercial 4x4 sector is a bit of a niche market in the UK, but it's still surprisingly busy. Until recently, the Suzuki Jimny Commercial was the entry point to the sector, while cars such as the Land Rover Defender Hard Top and Discovery Commercial, plus the Ineos Grenadier Commercial offer a bit more versatility. Now there's another option to choose from in the shape of the Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial. With prices starting from around £50,000 it's a close match for its Land Rover and Ineos rivals. Advertisement - Article continues below Toyota is marketing the Land Cruiser Commercial as a halo model for its Toyota Professional line-up of commercial vehicles. The previous generation was a popular machine that had strong residual values due to its limited supply and high demand, while updates during its life saw it go from a basic machine to one that was relatively well equipped. This time around, Toyota has gone in at the higher-grade end of the market from launch, with the Land Cruiser Commercial featuring kit that comes close to matching the SUV version's. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below View 500 View Golf View 3 Series View Q3 The Commercial model is built in Japan on the same production line as the SUV, but as with the Toyota Corolla Commercial that's made in the UK, Land Cruisers that are destined to be converted are assembled without rear seats, belts or anchor points so that they meet UK commercial vehicle legislation. They are then shipped to Toyota's manufacturing facility at Burnaston, Derbyshire, specifically the Business Revenue Centre, where they are fitted out with the equipment to turn them into a commercial vehicle, comprising a flat floor section, steel mesh bulkhead and opaque window blanks. There's just one version of the Land Cruiser Commercial offered, and it comes in a specification that's not quite as plush as the Invincible-grade SUV, but is still very well equipped for a commercial vehicle. Uncommon tech includes heated and ventilated electrically adjustable seats trimmed in artificial leather, two-zone climate control, a powered tailgate, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. Advertisement - Article continues below Power comes from the same 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel as in the SUV, a unit which is shared with the Hilux pick-up truck. In fact, the Land Cruiser uses the same chassis and running gear as the Hilux, although it replaces the leaf spring set-up with a four-link system, while the pick-up's six-speed automatic gearbox is replaced by an eight-speed auto. The Land Cruiser features permanent four-wheel drive with low-range gears, plus a rear diff lock that allows for 50:50 power distribution front and rear, hill-start assist and a crawl mode for the cruise control. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below You can now buy vans with Auto Express! Take a look at our Marketplace for the very best van offers from our massive network of dealers ... Stop-start fitted as standard Big fuel tank for a long range Better BiK costs than a pick-up truck Less than 30mpg official fuel economy Only one trim level offered No hybrid version - yet There's just one version of the Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial offered, and the only options that will bump up a list price of around £51,000 ( are black metallic paint, illuminated scuff plates or a tow bar. The Commercial model is a unique trim level that has some of the kit that comes with the Invincible SUV, so it's generous for a work model. Highlights include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lights all round, synthetic leather upholstery with heated and ventilated seats, electric adjustment for the driver's seat, two-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, keyless entry and starting, a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment screen with smartphone connectivity and a full suite of Toyota Safety Sense systems. Advertisement - Article continues below Official fuel economy is quoted at 26.6mpg combined, which isn't very efficient, but then this is a 2.3-tonne 4x4. In comparison, Toyota quotes 26.4mpg combined for the SUV variant. There's an 80-litre fuel tank on board, so a range of more than 450 miles is possible if you can match the official fuel economy figure. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below One area where the Land Cruiser Commercial offers benefits over a double-cab pick-up is taxation. While trucks now pay Benefit-in-Kind rates based on emissions, commercial 4x4s still qualify for the commercial vehicle rate, which is fixed at a far lower percentage. If you can make one of these two-seat models work for your business, then it could be a cost-effective purchase. Large, flat cargo area behind seats Accessible from the rear and the sides Can tow the maximum weight permissible Clear tailgate glass leaves cargo visible No hidden storage under the floor Cargo volume isn't as big as a dedicated van's Commercial 4x4s offer some compromise in terms of cargo carrying, because they balance the need for off-road driving with the amount that they can carry. But given that the Land Cruiser Commercial is based on an already large SUV, it offers a decent capacity. Measuring nearly five metres long, the Land Cruiser is actually slightly shorter than the platform-sharing Hilux pick-up. At just under two metres wide and 1.925 metres tall, the commercial model is quite imposing, and it means there's a decent amount of space on board. Advertisement - Article continues below To create the cargo area, Land Cruisers are shipped, minus their back seats, from the production line in Japan to Toyota's UK plant, where they are fitted out with the equipment they need to qualify as a commercial vehicle. This includes a fixed steel mesh bulkhead and a floor section where the rear seats would sit, creating a completely flat load area. The finishing touch is a set of steel window inserts that are mounted on the inside of the side windows, so the Land Cruiser's SUV look isn't spoiled. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Total cargo volume is quoted at 2,000 litres (two cubic metres), which is the same figure quoted for the SUV. However, without the need to make space for folding seats, the Commercial model offers a more practical cargo area overall. The maximum length of the load area is 1,685mm from the bulkhead to the tailgate, while there's up to 1,286mm available from side to side, and an overall height of 1,090mm. One area where the Land Cruiser Commercial falls behind a pick-up is in terms of payload weight. There's a maximum of 810kg on offer, so that should be plenty for most needs, if not quite up to the one-tonne threshold that most pick-ups can carry. However, the counter to this is that the Land Cruiser doesn't need the same beefy rear suspension set-up, so that benefits the car's ride. Advertisement - Article continues below Accessing the cargo area is simple, with the side doors allowing you to reach into the section behind the bulkhead without having to stretch. There's a powered top-hinged tailgate at the back, but the Land Cruiser's ride height does mean the cargo floor is set quite high, though. There is separately opening tailgate glass, though, which allows you to access the cargo space in tight spots. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below If you're looking for a tow vehicle, then the Land Cruiser Commercial is able to haul the maximum permissible weight of 3.5 tonnes. However, the 202bhp diesel isn't the strongest powerplant for pulling the heaviest loads, but at least permanent four-wheel drive is there to ensure traction is good. The Land Cruiser's six-cylinder rivals will likely make lighter work of towing a trailer or caravan. Proven running gear is used under the skin Service-activated 10-year warranty is available Toyota Safety Sense boosts active safety Some of the safety systems are sensitive in their operation Tailgate and mesh bulkhead leave load area visible Standard warranty is only three years without Toyota servicing Converting the Land Cruiser SUV into the Commercial version largely focuses on the rear passenger space, so the 4x4's suite of safety kit is carried over wholesale. This includes Toyota Safety Sense, which is a suite of electronic driver aids that includes adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, lane tracing and departure warning, plus a pre-collision system that prepares the car's electronics for a potential collision. On top of this, there's autonomous emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, safe-exit alert and trailer-sway control for towing. Advertisement - Article continues below Permanent four-wheel drive ensures grip in slippery conditions, while low-range gears boost the Land Cruiser's ability, too. A special Crawl Control setting allows you to set a low speed for traversing rocky terrain, with the speed controlled via the rotary drive selector on the dashboard. Tyre-pressure monitors are fitted as standard, as is a full-size spare wheel. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The Land Cruiser Commercial comes as standard with a perimeter alarm with double locking and an engine immobiliser, while sensors can detect if a window is broken or the vehicle tilts as if it's being towed away. The Commercial model's steel window guards are mounted internally and boost protection, although this is offset by the clear tailgate glass and the mesh steel bulkhead. Reliability is a cornerstone of Toyota's reputation, and it's something that the Land Cruiser Commercial should be able to deliver with ease. As with the whole Toyota Professional commercial vehicle line-up, the Land Cruiser has a three-year warranty as standard, but this can be extended to 10 years or 100,000 miles with annual servicing at an approved Toyota service centre. Smooth ride and refined at motorway speeds Torquey diesel feels strong at lower revs Off-road performance is excellent Noisy engine when you work it hard Over-the-shoulder visibility could be better Some safety systems are over-active One area where the Land Cruiser Commercial has a distinct advantage over a double-cab pick-up truck is driving comfort. While the Land Cruiser shares its platform with the Hilux, it's designed as a passenger carrier first and foremost and doesn't need to carry a one-tonne payload, so Toyota has fitted it with four-link rear suspension instead of leaf springs. That results in a far more comfortable ride with none of the bouncing that's associated with trucks such as the Toyota Hilux. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below In fact, the driving experience is largely similar to that of the SUV variant, with decent comfort, especially at higher speeds, although a Land Rover Defender with air suspension will still be a better option for a refined ride. There are Eco and Sport modes, although with the former it always feels like you have to put in more effort to achieve the same results; at least Sport mode gives some added response. The diesel engine is noisy when pushed, though, but the eight-speed gearbox (compared with a six-speed unit for the Hilux) has smooth shifts and helps to keep the engine within its power band, so it only really becomes an issue if you're accelerating hard. Around town, the Land Cruiser is slightly shorter than a Hilux, so it's a bit easier to manoeuvre, although it is still nearly five metres long. Unlike the SUV, the Commercial doesn't have 360-degree cameras, but front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera will help in tight spots, as does the light steering, which is surprisingly easy to turn from lock to lock. One issue that we found with the Land Cruiser Commercial is the restricted visibility that the side window blanks offer. It's no more pronounced than you'll find in a panel van, but it does make it harder to check over your shoulder for obstacles. At higher speeds the Land Cruiser Commercial is just as capable as its SUV sibling. The ride is smooth, the engine settles to a distant hum once you're up to the national limit and there isn't much in the way of wind or road noise, either. With permanent four-wheel drive and low-range gears, the Land Cruiser Commercial is a capable off-road machine. An electronic diff lock is included to split power 50:50 between the front and rear axles, while there are hill-descent and uphill-start assist systems on offer, too. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Another neat feature is Crawl Control. This is selected via a dashboard button, and is a low-speed cruise control that maintains a set speed for tricky conditions, allowing you to concentrate on steering. It ranges in speed from 1-5mph, and the car's electronics apply power or braking to maintain the same speed, even over rocks or sand, while you can adjust the car's speed on the fly by using the rotary drive mode selector on the dashboard when Crawl Control is selected. Comfortable seats with plenty of adjustment Premium switchgear for a commercial vehicle Decent cabin storage on the dash and doors Strictly a two-seat commercial vehicle Some shiny plastics might not stand up to scratching Touchscreen system isn't the most intuitive to use With its obviously car-derived roots, the Land Cruiser Commercial is a cut above your average work van when it comes to material quality. It's not quite on a par with a Land Rover Defender, but it's plusher than the Ineos Grenadier and most pick-up truck rivals. Artificial leather seats boost the cabin's appeal, while the chunky switchgear adds a rugged look. One obvious difference between the SUV and Commercial model is the addition of a cheap-looking plastic blank that covers the rear electric window switches on the driver's door – these are no longer wired up and are covered to prevent accidental presses, even though nothing will happen if you do. There are different grades of plastic throughout the interior, although the gloss-black finish on the centre console is likely to get scratched easily – we'd prefer it if the Commercial model used the same matt silver finish that the Invincible SUV features. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below There's a decent amount of seat adjustment on offer, with the driver's seat being electrically adjustable. The steel mesh bulkhead is set a little further back than you might find in a panel van, so taller drivers with long legs should be able to set the seat back without it butting into the bulkhead. Reach and rake adjustment comes as standard on the steering wheel, too. Head and elbow room are good, while cabin storage is a match for that of the SUV variant. You get twin cup-holders next to the drive selector, plus a tray ahead of them to put a smartphone; this space has wireless charging on the SUV, but that's not offered here. The door bins are deep and the glovebox is handy, while the rear doors still have their standard cards, so there are extra bins for smaller items. There's a nine-inch touchscreen display in the Land Cruiser Commercial, so it's around three inches smaller than the system found in the SUV. Because it takes up less space in the same binnacle, there's extra gloss black plastic to either side of the screen. The display itself features all of the usual kit, such as sat-nav, a DAB radio, Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity. There is a column of shortcut buttons to the left of the screen to get you back to the home screen, adjust the audio volume or scroll through the different settings. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The home screen itself is split into four columns that help direct you to convenient functions, but some of the sub-menus can be a little messy and distracting. At least the climate controls are in a separate section below the screen, with a row of toggle buttons and a traditional digital display to operate it. There's a digital driver's display, too, which has fixed water temperature and fuel gauge read-outs on either side, with a small screen between them. This is configurable to show different information via the steering wheel, although the small keys are a little fiddly to use. We've already mentioned the Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial's rivals, with the Ineos Grenadier Commercial and Land Rover Defender Hard Top both starting at a similar price point. Of the two, the Grenadier is the one to choose if off-road driving will be your priority, while the air suspension that's fitted as standard to the Defender boosts its comfort and refinement on the road. It's also a much plusher machine from behind the wheel, with more premium materials and upmarket switchgear than either the Toyota or Ineos – we'd argue that the Land Cruiser Commercial falls between the two of them in terms of quality. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below One advantage that the Defender has over its competitors is two different body lengths, called 90 and 110. The numbers hark back to the classic Defender, but overall the two variants are a lot bigger. The Discovery Commercial uses largely the same running gear as the Defender Hard Top, but just comes with a five-door body, while the cabin is a step further upmarket, and it's more expensive. All of these models come with torquey six-cylinder engines, so towing should be a breeze. If you're after a towcar, then a double-cab pick-up truck is worth considering. As well as the Ineos Quartermaster (which is basically the Grenadier but with an open rear bed), the pick of the trucks is the Ford Ranger, with the Volkswagen Amarok and the Toyota Hilux (which uses the same chassis as the Land Cruiser) also worth considering. However, beware of business rates for double cabs – because they now pay Benefit-in-Kind tax based on their emissions, they will be costlier to run as a company car. If you can live with the two-seat configuration of a commercial 4x4, it will make better financial sense. Body style Height Width Length Land Cruiser Commercial 1,925mm 1,980mm 4,925mm Body style Height Width Length Volume Land Cruiser Commercial 1,090mm 1,286mm 1,685mm 2.0m3 As with the SUV, the Land Cruiser Commercial offers a decent range of ability. It's not the ultimate off-roader, but offers more than enough for commercial vehicle users to get to remote locations without much fuss. There's a mechanical diff lock as standard, while the electronics offer clever settings that take the strain out of off-road driving, although we'd recommend adding all-terrain tyres to make the most of its ability. As with the whole Toyota Professional commercial vehicle line-up, the Land Cruiser Commercial has a three-year/60,000-mile warranty as standard. However, just like the company's passenger cars (including the Land Cruiser SUV) this can be extended up to 10 years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes sooner) with annual servicing at a main dealer. Some drivers aren't fans of the latest safety tech that's fitted to modern cars, although manufacturers do offer the option to deactivate settings. It's easier to do on some cars than on others, and in the Land Cruiser Commercial it's a bit fiddly. You have to select the assistance settings in the instrument binnacle via the controls on the multifunction steering wheel, and some are a bit of a scroll along to find. Once on the setting you need, just press OK to activate/deactivate. However, you will have to do this every time you start the car. Buy your next van with Auto Express. Our nationwide dealer network has some fantastic cars on offer right now with plenty of deals to choose from... Share this on Twitter Share this on Facebook Email
Auto Blog
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Toyota Unleashes Stripped-Down, Two-Seater Land Cruiser with Massive Cargo
Land Cruiser may be synonymous with luxury for those of us in the States, but it isn't that way everywhere Toyota's Land Cruiser model has always been a bit of an 'if you know, you know' thing in the United States. Those who do know recognize it as among the most luxurious cars to wear a Toyota or Lexus badge. But overseas, the Land Cruiser nameplate offers a much wider variety. From modern two-door models to diesel powertrains, there's a Land Cruiser model with your name on it, no matter how you like to get down. For the latest round of 'stuff that the US doesn't get,' Toyota introduced a bare-bones Land Cruiser Commercial model that comes with everything you need and little you don't. Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial The Land Cruiser Commercial is a diesel-only two-seater prioritizing utility Where the new Land Cruiser is arguably a step down from the opulence the model once represented, the Land Cruiser Commercial fully embraces utility over extravagance. Toyota says it's perfect for 'customers who do not require the load-carrying capabilities or additional seats of the Hilux pick-up,' and the changes reflect that. They pull the back seats, allowing the Land Cruiser Commercial to boast 71 cubic feet of cargo space, nearly double what the regular five-seater offers. Instead of a cushy bench, you'll find accommodations like steel panels and a metal partition keeping cargo far removed from the front seat. Under the hood, the Land Cruiser Commercial utilizes the same 2.8-liter diesel engine that other UK-market Cruisers come with. Towing capacity, similarly, remains unchanged at 7,716 pounds. Although calling the rear appointments spartan might be an overstatement, there's plenty for the driver and passenger to enjoy. The Land Cruiser Commercial comes with more amenities than previous commercialized versions of the Land Cruiser. Toyota added blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors alongside creature comforts like dual-zone climate control and an auto-dimming rearview mirror, all of which are far from standard in the 'work truck' segment. The Land Cruiser Commercial, true to its heritage, also comes ready to tackle off-road adventures. Crawl Control, Hill-Start Assist Control, and Downhill Assist Control are all standard, as is permanent all-wheel drive. Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial cockpit Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial cargo area The Land Cruiser Commercial could be perfect for no-frills shoppers in the US, but alas The Land Cruiser Commercial is cool, but sadly, it's only available outside the US. Specifically, the UK. With a starting price of £51,729, it's around £26,000 cheaper than the regular Cruiser. Even if the discount wasn't one-for-one with US pricing — our Cruiser starts at less than $60,000 — a $45,000 work truck spec would be awesome to have. The work SUV segment could use a shakeup, in our eyes. After all, there's only a handful of options, and most of them are from domestic automakers. Of course, with a diesel engine under the hood, the chances of coming to the US hover somewhere around 'not even a consideration' and 'never happening.' Final thoughts It happens all the time, but the heartbreak doesn't get easier. The Land Cruiser Commercial is an off-road-ready work truck that would also be an overlander's dream come true. Just look at all that space in the back for a bed platform! The Land Cruiser nameplate, unfortunately, carries a bit more cache for luxury Stateside, and that's just another reason it won't ever come to our side of the pond. But we can dream, can't we? About the Author Steven Paul View Profile
