Gidday mate, return of iconic Toyota Land Cruiser 70

The new Toyota Land Cruiser 70 is a robust SUV. Photos: Toyota

The legendary Toyota Land Cruiser 70 is returning to New Zealand later this year, with a modern take on the robust SUV.

Globally launched yesterday, the Land Cruiser 70 (LC70) has a new silhouette that helps to reinforce the “back to the roots” concept and evoke a strong sense of solidity. 

Neeraj Lala, Toyota New Zealand’s CEO, says the upgraded Land Cruiser 70 services a multitude of sectors as a hard-working utility vehicle and it will delight both those sectors, as well as the vehicle’s many enthusiasts.

“The Land Cruiser 70 has a loyal following in New Zealand, and the new vehicle represents a ‘back to the root concept in terms of design,” said Lala.

“It truly can go anywhere – it’s just as at home up in the craggy backcountry of the South Island as it is cruising along Ninety Mile Beach in the Far North or helping wrangle livestock on the farm. It’s the ultimate representation of the outdoor Kiwi working vehicle, of making the inaccessible parts of New Zealand accessible.”

Lala says that Toyota will not leave customers behind as the company progresses down its electrification pathway, including customers working in vital industries throughout the country. 

The Land Cruiser 70 has a ‘back to the roots’ design.

“The LC70 has been a tireless workhorse for many years and has always remained an important vehicle within Toyota’s line-up, made even better by the introduction of an updated 1GD engine that will see a reduction in emissions without compromising performance,” he says.

Functional circular headlamps and a hood-cooling vent form a distinctive nod to the Land Cruiser 40 Series of yesteryear while maintaining a modern character, reinforcing the utilitarian tradition of the LC70.

 The new Land Cruiser 70 even adopts the distinctive Toyota logo used in the Land Cruiser heritage models. The vehicle will feature an updated 1GD engine, the same engine that features in the Toyota Hilux, to provide greater fuel efficiency without compromising performance, power, or outputs. The new powertrain will have no impact to the 3500kg towing capacity.

The Land Cruiser 70 will be available in New Zealand in late 2023 in two grades, the LT and the LX. More information will be released closer to the local launch.