Ageing Land Cruiser reborn as more upmarket Jeep and Land Rover rival

Toyota redesigns 4x4 stalwart-but keeps model's tradition of off-road ruggedness

- FELIX PAGE

After nearly 14 years on the market in its current form, the Toyota Land Cruiser has been drastically overhauled in a bid to steal sales from the Land Rover Defender and Jeep Wrangler.

Designed with obvious influence from past Land Cruisers and with a chunky two-box silhouette that nods to its "ability to withstand harsh conditions", the model again majors on practicality, durability and dependability.

The go-anywhere 4x4 has long been one of the world's most competent off-roaders, but the focus for this new fifth-generation car, codenamed J250, is on providing improved on-road refinement and competitive levels of technology.

To that end, the Land Cruiser moves from the old J150 platform to Toyota's new Global Architecture, following the larger J300 Land Cruiser, which isn't sold in the UK.

The new body-on frame structure ensures the SUV is "easy to manoeuvre and more comfortable during on-road driving", according to Toyota.

The chassis is said to be 50% more rigid than that of its predecessor and the entire body-on-frame assembly is some 30% stiffer. That, plus improved suspension, means the Land Cruiser promises to be more responsive and comfortable in all driving situations.

Measuring 4920mm long and 1870mm tall and with a wheelbase of 2850mm, the J250 is slightly larger than its predecessor, and its roomier, redesigned cabin is a world away in design and technical terms.