Louth Motors: Being boxy hasn’t been cooler in a very long time

With much anticipation the new Landcruiser from Toyota has arrived.

Owners who are fiercely loyal to the model were so for 14 years as that’s how long the last model was in production.

This new one will sate that pent up demand for something different. And is it different?

It is without doubt a boxy design and an homage to earlier models. It is a modern take and has resisted the trend of making everything as futuristic as possible.

That’s because Landcruiser buyers want assurance that the legendary reliability and functionality hasn’t been compromised by some fancy panels and bumpers.

This is a workhorse, not a show-pony but that tough, retro look does stand out and is currently very cool.

I’m a fan of this type of design and whilst the Land Rover Defender has gone and got, very successfully I might add, notions, the Landcruiser is a bit more restrained.

Inside the cabin you are greeted by a host of knobs and buttons – yippee.

Above:  Interior of the Toyota Landcruiser

When you are out in a field or on a building site the last thing you need to be dealing with is a fiddly touchscreen.

All the main daily used functions are done by knobs and switches.

A lot of drivers will be wearing working gloves too so try that on your touchscreen. I just wish that the challenges of a touchscreen present to this cohort were applied to all cars. My campaign and rant continues.

It seems that when driving these days we like to be seated up higher. The farming and construction community knew this years ago and now we have all caught up.

However, the Landcruiser and a few others could be credited with making a lot more people aware of it and unleashing it on us all.

Either way, the sense that you are all conquering when driving the Landcruiser is very real.

It probably is enhanced because of the Landcruiser’s 4WD capability that’s now only delivered via an automatic gearbox. This car is happy on tarmac or muck.

The ride is super absorbent and I loved the relaxed vibe you get on any surface.

Performance is not the reason to buy this but I will say that when asked the engine is responsive and at home at motorway speeds or overtaking.

I drove it with an empty payload and did not notice much exterior noise at all. Would I say refined? Well as close as you can get would be my description.

The key facts are it is a 2-seater commercial model, powered by a 2.8L, 205hp, diesel engine, can tow a 3,500kg loaded trailer and has a payload of 625kg in an area of 2m3.

It starts from €57,205 excl. VAT, so it’s not cheap, and fuel consumption for me with an empty load bay of 9.7l/100km, and it has a thirst.

For all Toyota’s boasting of not using diesel engines in their cars it seems unimaginable that the Landcruiser will be anything other than diesel.

Oh yeah, there are similar sized SUVs that would make you think the Landcruiser could be electrified but that would not factor in that the Landcruiser is a true world car and that charging infrastructure worldwide would be a severe challenge.

Having said that here in Ireland I reckon it would work but those farmers and construction workers will need to be reassured.

Toyota have said that there is a Mild hybrid for the diesel model confirmed for 2026 and there will be an all-electric model that will form part of its “Beyond Zero” model lineup so electrification is coming and I reckon for a model that’s been around 75years, they will get it right because they simply have to.

We don’t have vast distances here to cover so an electric Landcruiser could be a good fit for customers here.

The iconic Toyota Landcruiser. It’s a car that I don’t need but it is a car that I want and would drive this happily forever.