2023 Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series increases GVM and keeps V8, for now

The 2023 Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series will be offered with the venerable turbo-diesel V8 for the foreseeable future – but it has been reclassified as a light truck with a higher gross vehicle mass (GVM) to sidestep new safety laws.

Despite some whispers hinting Toyota may use the 3.3-litre turbo-diesel V6 from the LandCruiser 300 Series in the 70 Series, Department of Infrastructure documents confirm the 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 will continue for now – making it one of the last new V8-powered cars on sale.

However, in line with an announcement made in May 2022, Toyota has increased the GVM across the 70 Series range to 3510 kilograms – a load increase of at least 110kg for some variants, and almost half a tonne for others – and reclassified it as a light truck (or 'medium goods vehicle').

This medium goods category – reserved for commercial vehicles with a GVM above 3500kg – avoids the need for costly engineering upgrades to be implemented so the LandCruiser can meet new Australian Design Rules requiring greater side impact protection.

Though yet to be confirmed, the updated 2023 line-up may come with suspension and/or brake upgrades to help accommodate the change – with a minor facelift also a possibility.

Known as ‘ADR 85’, the new safety rule was introduced to reduce serious injuries and fatalities that occur when a vehicle impacts a pole, tree, or similar objects along the side of the car at speed.

MORE: ADR 85: Every car affected by Australia’s strict new side impact safety rules

While a number of passenger vehicles were discontinued in Australia 12 months ago due to the new safety requirement, ‘light goods carrying vehicles’ – such as most diesel utes and vans – with a GVM of less than 3500kg that were in production prior to 1 July 2018 are the last category to have to meet ADR 85, which comes into effect on 1 November 2022.

It’s possible re-engineering the 70 Series to comply with ADR 85 would have been impossible due to the model’s thin doors – or at the very least, cost prohibitive – which could have led to the discontinuation of one of Australia’s most popular four-wheel-drives.

As announced in May 2022, Toyota opted to instead increase the LandCruiser’s GVM – the total amount of weight the vehicle can legally carry – to exempt it from the new rule.

Up until this point, dual-cab models in the 70 Series line-up had a GVM of 3300kg, while single-cabs had a slightly better GVM of 3400kg.

The so-called Troopcarrier models had a GVM of 3300kg, while ‘five-door’ wagon versions had a GVM of 3060kg.

But from this point forward, all LandCruiser 70 Series models imported for sale by Toyota Australia will now have a GVM of 3510kg – just 10kg over the minimum threshold for the medium goods vehicle category.

The change represents an increase to GVM of between 110kg and 450kg across the range.

In a media statement in May, Toyota Australia’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley claimed the GVM and class changes were intended to "ensure that the legendary LandCruiser 70 Series will continue to be available for the foreseeable future in the Australian market, where its popularity resulted in more than 13,900 sales last year.

MORE: Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series orders to remain closed for another year

"The increase in GVM is sure to appeal to owners who use the 70 Series as a tool of trade or are seeking an even greater ability as a heavy duty recreational off-roader.”

The tare mass appears to have changed for some models – with some increasing by 15kg, while others have decreased by 125kg – suggesting suspension and brakes may have been upgraded to help carry the increased load capacity.

Autonomous emergency braking technology will also be added with 2023 models.

Interestingly, photos of the updated 2023 Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series range have been withheld by the Department of Infrastructure, with a note instead reading “Vehicle image will be supplied post wholesale,” hinting at the possibility of a minor facelift.

The lack of up-to-date side-intrusion safety on the 70 Series is unlikely to hurt sales, while the GVM upgrade will be welcomed among buyers – with the LandCruiser remaining a popular choice among farmers, grey nomads, and those in rural areas.

However, those wanting a new Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series will have to wait at least another year, with the Japanese car giant pausing orders back in May 2022 to help clear a large backlog of sales amid global supply pressures.