- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
4.5DT, 8 cyl.
- Engine Power
151kW, 430Nm
- Fuel
Diesel 11.9L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4XD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2013 Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series – Quick drive review
The car: LandCruiser 70 Series GXL Double Cab
Price: From $67,990 plus on-road and dealer costs
Vitals: 4.5-litre V8 turbo diesel, 151kW, 430Nm, five-speed manual
What does it say about me?
That I work on a mine site and have borrowed it to pull out a tree stump.
What doesn't it say about me?
That I also own an HSV, motorbike and jet ski and earn as much as a lawyer.
Who else is buying it?
Farmers and rural small business owners that need to cart a small crew and enough equipment in the back.
What colours does it come in?
While the majority will be white, it also comes in six other colours: Graphite, Silver Pearl, Merlot Red, Sandy Taupe, Vintage Gold and Midnight Blue.
If it were a celebrity, who would it be?
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Bear Grylls. It'll go anywhere, do anything and only come out the other side with a few scratches.
Why would I buy it?
If I owned a mining company, I'd have a fleet of them working day and night. But it doesn't have much going for it with private buyers, particularly as there are plenty of mainstream four-wheel-drives that are just as capable but much more practical.
Will it let me down?
Highly unlikely. It's extremely basic and built to handle the toughest of conditions. And considering Toyota's reliability record with these types of vehicles it'll probably survive an apocalypse.
Does it cost too much?
At $67,990 plus on-road and dealer costs, you get an extremely capable workhorse, but not much else.
Will I get a deal?
It depends on how many you're going to buy. As most are sold to fleets and small business owners, almost all of them will be purchased with a discount.
Is it safe?
While this Crew Cab version has yet to be officially tested, its safety rating won't vary that much from the regular two-door ute that scored a three-star ANCAP score in 2007. The recent update does introduce ABS brakes to the car, however, and there is driver and passenger airbags. Not surprisingly, considering its bluff front, large bumper bar and tall ride height, it scored poorly in pedestrian safety.
Will it get me noticed?
Depends on where you drive it – you'll stand out like a cowboy in a large city but you'll blend into all the other white LandCruisers in rural areas.
Any gadgets I can brag about?
Standard equipment on the GXL now includes Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, voice recognition and a digital clock with built-in stopwatch function – which probably isn't there to brag about its prowess on the Nurburgring!
How's the cabin ambience?
About as comfortable and as high-tech as an outback dunny. It's a pretty basic affair that looks straight out of the 1980s with surprisingly little storage space, hard plastics and tough fabrics. There's plenty of head room for tall blokes though and you sit so high you look out over the roofs of other four-wheel-drives. It's clearly built as a working tool.
Does it go?
With a 4.5-litre direct-injection V8 producing 151kW and 430Nm, you'd think it'd struggle to shift its 2205kg heft. But the engine produces all of its pulling power from just 1200rpm and is so strong that it feels as though it only needs two gears rather than five. It's not quick, but it'll go anywhere.
Does it like corners?
The 70 Series LandCruiser is at the opposite end of the automotive spectrum to a sportscar, so handling is not its forte. Its robust ladder frame chassis, leaf-spring rear suspension, off-road tyres, high centre of gravity and slow steering are designed to tackle the rough stuff rather than the twisties.
What about bumps?
The 70 Series is so capable as a four-wheel-drive that Uluru would be considered a bump. It'll go up and over anything, but you'll also feel every little pebble along the way too. It's not very sophisticated on the road, and extremely noisy at highway speeds.
What about service stations?
You won't need to visit them very often because it's got a massive 130 litre fuel tank. But that doesn't mean it's economical, with a combined average fuel consumption rating of 11.9L/100km
Would you buy one?
If I owned a mining company or a cattle station, I'd have no choice. But I'd be more comfortable catching the train than commuting to the city driving this.
What else should I consider?
There isn't much else when it comes to hard-core workhorses like the 70 Series. Land Rover's Defender is the only alternative, but is even more agricultural in the way it drives, only has a 2.2-litre turbo diesel four cylinder and, despite its heritage, lacks Toyota's reliability record.
The spin
"The 70-Series is so popular for the really tough jobs that customers have been modifying the wagon version to provide the flexibility of a double-cab ute."
The translation
"Why didn't we think of having a dual-cab pick-up 70 Series before?"