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Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial Review: The Only 4x4 You’ll Ever Really Need
- Ian Lamming
- Jan 21
- 6 min read
If you had to choose one car and it had to last you the rest of your life it would have to be one of these.
Imagine being in a post-apocalyptic world – and with AI and Trump in our lives that’s not too difficult – you would need something simple, reliable, capacious, with go-anywhere-ability. Let’s face it the pothole fillers will be long gone so asphalt is going to be at a premium so it needs to be a proper off-roader not a soft-roader.
Toyota’s Land Cruiser would be my first choice and if friends and family had gone too the Commercial would do nicely for me. It is huge yet only has two seats. Behind the cage divider, to the rear of the driver’s head, there is a square load bay that will swallow 2,000 litres. That’s more than enough for supplementary fuel tanks, food, water, clothes and the odd armament to keep the hostiles at bay.
Quick Overview
Engine | Drivetrain | Power | Top speed | 0–62 mph | Miles per gallon (combined) | CO2 (g/km) | Price |
2.8-litre diesel | Eight-speed automatic full-time AWD | 202 bhp / 500 Nm | 102 mph | 10.9 seconds | 32.5 | 278 | £61,995 (£51,729 with VAT reclaimed) |
Pros & Cons
Pros
Leviathan size and great road presence
Immense load carrying ability
Go-anywhere 4x4 with crawler low ratio box and diff-locks
High build quality and peerless reliability
Strong performance with good economy
Enjoyable driving experience
Cons
Weak headlights even on high beam
No heated steering wheel
No satnav but there is Apple Car Play to use Google Maps
No rear seats, but then it is a Commercial
It’s a diesel.
Exterior Design
Bold, Boxy, and Unmistakably Land Cruiser
It’s strange that something so square can look this good and the big Toyota is recognisably brand Land Cruiser. The lights and grille make it look contemporary and the over-square nature makes driving such a beast an absolute doddle because you can see where your extremities lie and slot the giant home. The rear door windows are blanked out making it van-like but the rear camera and big wing mirrors offer excellent visibility.
Interior Design
Rugged Where It Matters, Refined Where It Counts
It’s a Commercial so it needs to be utilitarian but that doesn’t mean it’s badly equipped. The great thing is that primary functions and are on knobs, buttons and switches so you can happily drive in gloves not worrying about having to swipe a touchscreen.
It feels well-made and solid, but then it would as it’s a Toyota. The specification is high so the heated seats are electrically operated, as are the large door mirrors. There are controls on the steering wheel for the cruise and to operate the infotainment.
Driving Experience
Effortless on the Road, Unstoppable off It
Something this big, square and heavy (3.1 tonnes) should not be this good to drive. Land Cruiser bowls along in such a relaxed fashion that it’s virtually impossible not to fall in love with it. The 2.8 litre turbo diesel has the telltale oil-burner rattle but it is lusty and surprisingly quick off the mark. Loads, gradients and head winds make no difference to progress and it shrugs off any condition with alacrity.
In the dirt it is even more impressive with the low ratio box, diff-locks, electronic wizardry and great axle articulation offering true off-road ability making it virtually unstoppable. It is epic.
Performance and Handling
Powerful, Poised, and Far More Agile Than It Looks
A strong motor (it will pull 3.5 tonnes) and a silky smooth and slick eight-speed auto make the Land Cruiser special to drive and the handling is exceptional too. Its all-wheel-drive makes it very grippy, the body control is impressive and the ride quality is composed too. Add positive steering and powerful brakes and the Toyota is indecently good to drive.
Specification and Value
Serious Capability With Sensible Numbers
High spec, immense capabilities and an excluding VAT price tag of just over £50K make the Land Cruiser an enviable buy. The economy for such a behemoth is startling. I managed 32.5 mpg on average but on one run saw 40.5 mpg on the trip computer.
Verdict
A Workhorse That Wins Your Heart
Life is strange and just as some very expensive vehicles leave me cold and unimpressed, what should be a utilitarian workhorse has me feeling warm and fuzzy, Land Cruiser really is that good – try one.
The Car Buying Coach UK Advice
The Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial is one of those vehicles that quietly exposes how compromised most modern SUVs have become. While others chase screens, styling tricks and badge appeal, the Land Cruiser simply gets on with the job — and does it better than almost anything else on sale.
It delivers genuine, mechanical capability without intimidation, combining immense strength with a level of polish that makes everyday driving effortless. The eight-speed automatic is superb, the diesel engine feels unburstable, and the chassis inspires confidence whether you’re threading through traffic, towing at capacity or crawling over terrain most vehicles would refuse to approach.
Inside, the Land Cruiser Commercial reminds us that usability matters. Physical controls, solid materials and a sensible layout make it far easier to live with than many so-called premium rivals. And while it may only have two seats, the cavernous rear load space opens up far more real-world utility than any five-seat SUV pretending to be practical.
It isn’t perfect. The headlights could be stronger, a heated steering wheel would be welcome, and yes — it’s still a diesel in an increasingly electrified world. But none of those points diminish what this vehicle fundamentally represents: reliability, longevity, and capability without pretence.
If you want a vehicle that feels engineered rather than marketed, dependable rather than fashionable, and capable rather than compromised, the Land Cruiser Commercial stands almost alone in today’s market.
This is not a vehicle you merely own — it’s one you trust.
And in a world where trust in cars is becoming increasingly rare, that makes the Land Cruiser Commercial something truly special.
Want a hand picking your next car? Check out my car buying services — I’ll guide you step by step and make the whole process stress-free.
FAQs — Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial
Is the Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial reliable?
Yes. The Land Cruiser has a global reputation for peerless reliability. It is widely used in extreme environments by aid agencies, militaries and expedition teams, making it one of the most dependable vehicles ever built.
Is the Land Cruiser Commercial good for off-road driving?
Absolutely. With low-range gearing, locking differentials, full-time four-wheel drive and excellent axle articulation, the Land Cruiser Commercial is a true off-roader rather than a soft-roader.
How much can the Land Cruiser Commercial tow?
It can tow up to 3.5 tonnes, making it ideal for trailers, boats, horseboxes and heavy equipment.
How economical is the Land Cruiser Commercial?
For a 3.1-tonne 4x4, economy is impressive. Real-world driving can return over 32 mpg, with motorway runs capable of exceeding 40 mpg according to the trip computer.
What is the load capacity of the Land Cruiser Commercial?
The rear load bay offers around 2,000 litres of cargo space, making it ideal for tools, equipment, expedition gear or business use.
Is the Land Cruiser Commercial comfortable for long journeys?
Yes. Despite its utilitarian role, it offers heated electric seats, excellent ride quality, strong refinement and a relaxed cruising ability.
Does the Land Cruiser Commercial have Apple CarPlay?
Yes, it supports Apple CarPlay, allowing navigation via Google Maps even though built-in sat nav is not fitted.
Is the Land Cruiser Commercial good for business use?
Very much so. With VAT reclaim available, strong residuals, huge load space and legendary durability, it makes a compelling commercial vehicle.
Is the Land Cruiser Commercial worth the money?
Considering its build quality, off-road ability, towing capacity, reliability and equipment, it represents excellent value in the heavy-duty 4x4 commercial market.
Who should buy a Land Cruiser Commercial?
It suits farmers, builders, expedition users, utility companies, adventure travellers — and anyone who wants a vehicle that will still be running when most others have long given up.
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