Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial Review 2024

Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial At A Glance

3/5

+Brilliant off-road, useful 3.0 tonne braked towing capacity, 2.8 D-4D engine is effortless to drive.

-A pick-up is more practical and cheaper to run, awkward loading/unloading due to high boot floor, rear windows make the load area an easy target for thieves.

The Toyota Land Cruiser Utility Commercial is a tough 4x4 that bridges the gap between SUV and van by ditching its rear seats in favour of a flat and useable load space. However, while this large and practical Toyota fulfils its mandate as a rugged and go anywhere load mover, its appeal is dented by the fact that a modern pick-up has it beaten in most areas.

Toyota does have a strong reputation for reliability and this makes the Land Cruiser Utility Commercial a strong proposition for farmers, forestry workers and builders who want a capable workhorse for tackling rural, rugged terrain and challenging weather conditions all-year round. 

When it comes to off-roading, the Land Cruiser is difficult to fault. The four-wheel drive system is hugely capable, with high and low gearing and a limited slip differential for tackling really tough terrain. Braked towing capacities peak at three tonnes, which means the Toyota has little trouble shifting a heavy trailer loaded with tools, materials and equipment. 

Things are less impressive on the road, however, with lifeless steering, poor refinement and a wobbly ride quality that give a 1990s' SUV driving experience. The Land Cruiser is noisy too, with lots of road and engine roar, which means it can be a jarring experience on the motorway.

There is only one engine in the line-up: a four-cylinder 2.8-litre D-4D diesel that's advertised with 37.6mpg. That makes the Land Cruiser extremely thirsty, compared to the 43.5mpg single cab versions of the Ford Ranger. Yet, for what the Land Cruiser lacks in economy, it makes up for in performance. The 177PS turbodiesel produces 420Nm of torque from 1400rpm, which means it has a seemingly endless supply of low-gear pull, which is perfect for lugging a fully laden Land Cruiser across a muddy field or wintery farm track. 

Short and long wheelbase versions are available, with three and five doors respectively. The largest version will carry up to 756kg, with the rear seats replaced with a flat load space that’s covered in a tough non-slip flooring. However, there's no panelling - the rear windows remain in place – and this means the Land Cruiser is nowhere near as secure as a traditional van. 

The Land Cruiser Utility Commercial does have lots of large SUV charm, with its four-wheel drive system, torque-packed engine and practical load area making it a worthy replacement for an aging Land Rover. That said, the Toyota loses its shine when you consider that a modern pick-up will carry more, cost less to buy and be cheaper to fuel.

Ask Honest John

Are there alternatives to the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV?

"I wish to purchase a 4X4 AWD commercial SUV. I was looking at the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, but heard that Mitsubishi will soon withdraw from Europe. Are there alternatives?"
The Land Rover Defender Commercial is set to get a PHEV powertrain: https://vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-reviews/land-rover/defender-2020/ A non-PHEV alternative would be the Toyota Land Cruiser Utility Commercial. It's diesel-only. But I rate it as one of the best 4x4 SUV vans on sale today: https://vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-reviews/toyota/landcruiser-utility-2018
Answered by Dan Powell

I want an off-roader. Can you suggest somewhere to find a good deal?

"We need a reliable, capable off-roader for farm and forestry work, and have decided on a new Toyota Land Cruiser Utility SWB 3-door 'van'. The best quote I can get from a Toyota dealer, including VAT, is £31,000. Are there any other purchase options in the UK you could suggest where I could get a better deal? Thank you."
The Land Cruiser Commercial was launched in 2018 and is quite a niche vehicle, which means it sells in low-numbers. As a result, discounts are few and far between. It may be possible to find one or two at a commercial vehicle auction, but I don't think dealers will be looking to discount their stock due to the fact demand outstrips supply.
Answered by Dan Powell

Will keeping my keys in a tin protect my car from keyless theft?

"My Toyota Landcruiser has keyless entry. You recently recommended Faraday bags to keep the fobs in to protect it from keyless theft. My keys won’t fit in mine, so I keep the keys in a tin at night. Will this offer the same protection or am I kidding myself?"
While I'm not going to promise that it'll be 100% protective, we actually tested this theory ourselves a while ago by putting our key fob in a tin and then tried to get into our car. We couldn't, which suggests the metal blocked the signal from being picked up by the car - and thus it doesn't open even with the key in range. I would test it yourself doing the same thing. Lock your car, put the key into the tin, close the lid, then try to open the car door while holding the tin. If the door won't unlock and open, it's working as it should. Sounds ridiculous but that's the way to test if it's going to work. If it doesn't, you can buy larger faraday bags for larger keys. What it tends to come down to is how well the tin or bag is sealed. If the lid isn't tightly shut then that can be the different between the signal being transmitted or not.
Answered by Georgia Petrie
More Questions

What does a Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial cost?