Known as the 250 Series in its home market and Prado in many countries, instead it’s simply the Land Cruiser in the UK. And as we don’t get the larger 300 Series here there’s no need for a Prado suffix. As a talking meerkat would add: ‘simples’.
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It took a little time for the latest shape model to land in Britain follow its debut in Japan, the first market, exactly 18 months ago. Technically speaking, the new 250 Series had in fact been revealed back in August 2023 though that was a pre-production prototype.
Three plants including one in China
Build itself is also (mostly) in Toyota Motor Corporation’s homeland. TMC manufactures the model at the Tahara factory while Hino also makes the Land Cruiser at its Hamura works.
The FAW Toyota joint venture’s Chengdu plant switched over to the latest shape vehicle in July 2024, a four-cylinder petrol engine being available for the Chinese market. This is only one of multiple propulsion systems for the model, however, engine availability applicable to certain regions for reasons of emissions laws and customer preference.
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By GlobalDataDiesel-only in the UK
TMC’s tried and tested 1GD-FTD is the sole engine for most of the UK, this having a capacity of 2.8 litres and outputs of 150 kW (204 PS) and 500 Nm. Drive to both axles is via an eight-speed automatic transmission. This being a Land Cruiser, there are various 4×4 (and 4×2) modes.
One major change for the model series is electric power steering, Land Cruisers traditionally having always had a hydraulic set-up. Toyota says the benefit is more precision on-road, less kick-back off-road plus of course it’s needed for ADAS compatibility. In practice it does indeed give you more feedback and there is a lightness which feels novel compared to previous generations.
Being 4,920 mm long and with a generous 2,850 mm wheelbase, the 250 series is more than large enough for most European markets. Width, meanwhile, is a not-excessive 2,120 mm. Those dimensions also translate not only into generous space for occupants but an especially roomy boot too, even with third row seats raised.
Ladder frame construction, no air suspension
The platform is GA-F which means a separate chassis construction and the expected impressive off-roading credentials. Plus like all Land Cruisers, this is one tough vehicle, a casual glance underneath being all that’s needed for reassurance that the fancy new body sits atop a typically virtually unbreakable Toyota frame architecture.
The inside story is a reflection on the model’s traditional design philosophy: tough and durable yet there is some character too as well as perhaps more soft surfaces and luxury features than has been the case in the past. The high-mounted central screen is exactly the right size and HVAC functions are all physical buttons linked to a digital interface.
It’s almost ironic in that Toyota refers to the 250 internally as the ‘Light Duty’ Land Cruiser. The context being that the 70 Series and 300 Series are classified as Heavy Duty and Station Wagon models. The latter two have built up formidable reputations in, for example, the Australian Outback with the HD, in production for over four decades now, still in high demand by that country’s mining industry.
Hard-won reputation for durability
With that back-story, the newest addition to the family has a lot to live up to. Somehow it manages to actually do just that. The company’s design team decided on a square-ish look to distinguish the 250 from not only other models in the L C line-up worldwide but from key competitors too.
Land Rover, Jeep, GWM’s Haval brand, Ineos and others continue to take aim at the Toyota but I personally don’t believe any would-be competitor is truly able to compete with the Japanese OEM’s hard-won reputation for durability and yes, desirability.
Some might wish for better than the 30.3 mpg average I experienced but with an 80-litre tank, 500+ miles for range should be fairly typical. Similarly, the 240 g/km CO2 average and a zero to 62 mph time of 10.8 seconds are good but seem a bit ordinary. That’s until you remember this is a serious 4×4 not a D segment crossover such as, say, a Qashqai or Kuga.
MHEV powertrain for 2026
Announced in June but not available until 2026 is a 48-volt MHEV powertrain which Toyota GB and other European region markets will refer to as a Hybrid. The system sees the existing 2,755 cc engine and eight-speed automatic transmission retained but combined with a motor-generator, lithium-ion hybrid battery and a DC-DC power converter. This is the same powertrain as was recently added to the Hilux. Toyota says the added boost can be as much as 12 kW and 65 Nm.
Summary
The obvious question when looking at the undoubted merits of the new ‘Cruiser is “this or a Defender?”. Given JLR’s recent cyberattack woes – as at the time of writing they are all now ramping back up – it’s still likely to be some time before Land Rover production gets back up to speed. Toyota may therefore find more customers than it might have been expecting to.
In any case the Land Cruiser is more than good enough to match if not beat the Defender. Plus for a typical buyer the added touch of exclusivity could well be enough to tip the scales of choice in the big Toyota’s favour.
The Land Cruiser Invincible is priced from GBP77,845 (OTR) with the First Edition costing five thousand pounds more.
