Built in the toughest tradition and very much in the mould of Land Cruisers before it, right down to its unashamedly retro styling, the latest model is a robust and rugged 4x4 and will appeal to those who may be looking at an Ineos Grenadier or Mercedes GL, as well as the Land Rover Defender. It’s more workmanlike than most of those rivals, though, and that’s no bad thing, as its go-anywhere nature is very much core to the Land Cruiser’s appeal.
The Toyota Land Cruiser excels as a genuine off-roader – few other cars can can come close. Yet it also has an incredibly strong image and is both luxurious and sumptuously equipped. Though it commands a higher price than some competitors and is less refined when it comes to on-road driving, the Land Cruiser is pretty much peerless when the going gets tough – and it’s also agonisingly cool.
Jack is an experienced motoring journalist who has been covering the latest new-car releases for the last 10 years.
Read bioThe Land Cruiser is positioned as a premium, specialist SUV and only one trim level is offered – the £80,470 Invincible.
Strong residual values and robust engineering mean whole-life ownership costs aren’t as steep as the purchase cost might suggest, as has been proven by previous generations of the Japanese brand’s flagship off-roader.
On the used market, nearly new Land Cruisers are available from around £70,000, suggesting that residual values for the new model will be similarly robust to the earlier models.
In the UK, the 2025 Land Cruiser is offered with a reworked version of Toyota’s proven 2.8-litre D-4D four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, now equipped with 48v mild-hybrid assistance for improved efficiency and responsiveness.
The powertrain produces 220bhp and 500Nm of torque, delivering robust low-end traction and a surprisingly good refinement at high speed. The mild-hybrid system aids stop-start functionality, reduces emissions, and provides a modest boost under acceleration.
This engine is matched with a smooth eight-speed automatic gearbox, replacing the older six-speed unit for enhanced efficiency.
Performance is lively for a vehicle of this size: it sprints from 0–62 mph in 9.1 seconds, with strong mid-range acceleration thanks to the hybrid’s instant torque assist. The Land Cruiser remains a dependable workhorse, too, capable of towing up to 3,500kg when properly equipped.
All models feature full-time four-wheel drive and a locking centre differential, ensuring impressive traction in all conditions. The Land Cruiser’s robust ladder-frame chassis and advanced Multi-Terrain Select system allow it to shrug off the majority of challenging environments.
The Toyota Land Cruiser delivers a confidence-inspiring driving experience thanks to its vast size and commanding road presence.
The suspension offers a compromise between comfort and off-road articulation, with adaptive kinetic dynamic suspension available for enhanced stability. It’s no match for a modern and smaller SUV dynamically, but it’s nowhere near as unwieldy as its bulk might suggest.
Despite its off-road focus, the Land Cruiser is surprisingly civilised on tarmac, with direct steering and stable body control. However, drivers coming from car-based crossovers may find the ride a touch firm, especially over patchy urban roads.
Visibility is excellent, aided by the high seating position, expansive glass area, and large door mirrors. The only limitations come from the vehicle’s sheer size, which can make tight city manoeuvres and parking more challenging. Standard rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, and (on higher trims) a 360-degree surround-view system help to mitigate these challenges.
The Land Cruiser’s reputation for rugged go-anywhere ability is as evident as ever in the latest model, which has incredible off-road prowess. It features Toyota’s latest Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which adjusts anti-roll bars for optimal articulation and stability depending on terrain.
When the going gets tough, the Land Cruiser’s Multi-Terrain Select system, crawl control, and locking differentials come into their own, allowing the driver to tailor traction settings for mud, sand, rocks, or snow. The result is class-leading off-road ability, with the confidence to tackle anything from slippery fields to remote, rocky trails.
On-road, the Toyota feels stable and well-balanced, with limited body roll for a vehicle of its stature. The steering is light but accurate, making the Land Cruiser less intimidating to drive than its size might suggest. The ride can be firm and jiggly over rougher surfaces, though – a trade-off for its peerless off-road and towing ability.
The Land Cruiser’s cabin is typical of Toyota – clear and functional, with a commanding driving position and large, tactile controls that can be operated even with gloves; don’t forget that many people still buy a Land Cruiser for utilitarian reasons.
Material quality has taken a step up from its predecessor, though, with soft-touch surfaces, leather accents, and metallic trim on higher grades. The centrepiece is a 12.3-inch touchscreen running Toyota’s latest Smart Connect infotainment system, complete with integrated navigation, DAB radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus voice control. Physical shortcut buttons remain for essential functions, reflecting the Land Cruiser’s focus on usability.
The front seats are generously padded and offer a wide range of adjustment, including lumbar support and heating as standard. Mid- and top-spec models add ventilation and memory settings. The second row is spacious, providing ample legroom for adults, while the third row folds flat into the floor when not in use. Isofix child seat mounts are standard on the outer rear seats.
The Land Cruiser offers a generous 480-litre boot with five seats in place, expanding to 1,943 litres with the rear seats folded. The boot opening is wide, and the low loading lip enhances practicality for everyday use – although the car’s overall ride height impacts this somewhat.
Cabin storage includes large door bins, a spacious glovebox, cupholders, and a central storage console.
There’s only one specification on offer, but it’s generously equipped with dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, keyless entry, and Toyota’s Smart Connect infotainment as standard.
Other kit includes heated and ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, a powered tailgate, adaptive LED headlights, a JBL premium audio system, panoramic sunroof, head-up display, wireless phone charging, and comprehensive off-road technology, including Multi-Terrain Select and a multi-view terrain camera.
Toyota’s extensive accessories range caters to individual needs, from adventure gear to enhancements more focused towards urban users.
Just the one trim level is available in the UK, as detailed above.
A wide range of exterior colours is available, including classic Pure White, Astral Black, Avant-Garde Bronze, Decuma Grey, Galaxy Blue, and more recently introduced shades such as Onyx Green and Celestial Silver. Personalisation options extend to two-tone paint finishes, contrasting roof colours, and a selection of alloy wheel designs.
Toyota’s accessory programme covers everything from roof racks and tow bars to all-weather mats and adventure packs.
The 2025 Land Cruiser is equipped with an extensive suite of active and passive safety features. Six airbags, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure alert, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control are standard.
While the latest Land Cruiser has yet to be tested by Euro NCAP, its predecessor scored highly for occupant protection, and Toyota’s strong engineering is evident throughout.
Toyota’s reputation for reliability remains second to none, with owner surveys consistently ranking the Land Cruiser among the most dependable vehicles on sale. The use of proven powertrains and high-quality materials suggests that the current incarnation will follow suit.
Moving to mild-hybrid technology has improved the Land Cruiser’s efficiency. The 2.8-litre diesel hybrid returns between 33-41 mpg (WLTP), depending on road conditions. CO₂ emissions are 219 g/km, making the Land Cruiser more competitive with rivals in terms of running costs than its predecessor was.
It is subject to the expensive vehicle VED supplement, translating to an annual road tax of £620 for the first five years, before dropping to £195. Insurance is also expensive, sitting in Group 49.
Toyota offers a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty, which can be extended to 10 years if serviced by a Toyota main agent.
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