Toyota Land Cruiser 79: Appeal undiminished

It goes without saying that the Toyota Land Cruiser has been an institution within the Japanese marque no-one is likely to question.

Conceived as a military vehicle in response to the Korean War, the switch from troop to civilian carrier not long after the debut of the original Jeep BJ in 1951, rated as a masterstroke that would set the tone for the next 70 years.

Lasting forever

Officially the equal fourth oldest continues nameplate in the world, the first incidentally being the Chevrolet Suburban, and also Toyota’s most enduring, the reveal last year of the all-new Land Cruiser 300, the first in 14 years, culminated in the debut months later of the anniversary edition based on the stalwart Land Cruiser 70-series.

ALSO READ: Toyota Land Cruiser turns 70: Models that made a legend

A generation that has undergone mainly exterior and interior tweaks since bowing in 1984, the arrival of the 70^th Anniversary Edition last week coincided with the reveal of the off-road focused Land Cruiser 300 GX.R in a joint launch carried over from last year due to the ongoing effects of Covid-19.

Celebratory touches

Essentially a limited edition model with the exact allocation being unknown, though likely to be snapped-up quickly given the 70-series’ never diminishing demand, the external upgrades comprise a black grille with block letter TOYOTA badging, a steel front bumper-cum-nudge bar, side steps and a rubberised loadbin.

Aside from the optional snorkel all models at the launch sported, the exterior tweaks are rounded off by model specific 16-inch alloy wheels, and on the front wings, 70^th anniversary badging, as well as a chrome Land Cruiser script said to be similar to that of the original.

Inside, the faux woodgrain trim and Fortuner-derived steering wheel offered in other markets have been dropped completely. Instead, the sole fixtures are 70^th Edition branded grey canvas seat covers with 70^th anniversary branded headrests, and 70^th anniversary embroidered floor mats.

Limited to the Land Cruiser 79-series, the 70^th anniversary can therefore be had as either as single or double cab in a choice of two colours; Ivory White and Sand Beige, with motivation from a single engine; the 4.5 D-4D turbodiesel V8 that sends 151kW/430Nm to all four wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox.

Back-to-basics 300

At the other end of the scale, the GX.R takes up its position below the ZX in the Land Cruiser 300 range.

Swapping the leather upholstery for fabric, the 20-inch wheels for 18-inch alloys and the chrome grille for a black piece, the GX.R also eschews the 12.3-inch infotainment system for a seven-inch setup, the seven-inch TFT instrument cluster display for a 4.2-inch display and 10 speakers for a total of four.

It’s off-road bias also prevails up front where only one engine is offered, the new 3.3-litre turbodiesel V6, whose 227kW/700Nm is channelled to all four corners via the newly developed 10-speed automatic gearbox.

Did somebody say off-road?

Being the centre of attention, the launch route around Hartebeespoort was mostly conducted behind the wheel of the 70^th Anniversary Edition.

The second special edition 70-series after the Namib in 2019, the route was a largely off-road affair varying from rutted gravel roads in the Hekpoort area, to a tricky rock strewn water crossing on a specialised 4×4 course.

Terrain meant for the 79, it managed to flatten the former with ease and power through the latter without at so much as bogging down once, completely as a result of its driver having failed to engage the front and rear diff-locks.

Away from the gravel and dirt, the 79 is just as adapt in spite of being 38 years old. Last updated in 2007 it may have been, the interior remains a throwback to the past as very little, bar the infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, has changed.

Aged but also easy to fathom whether it be the slider controls for the air-conditioning or making the massive side windows go up/down, the 79’s drivetrain is just as uncomplicated.

Introduced eight years ago, the big V8 and smile inducing manual ‘box, arguably, contribute to its appeal no modern double cab comes close to matching.

While the engine itself emits an almost otherworldly, addictive, wastegate noise when lifting off of the accelerator, the gearbox is direct and mechanical with a surprisingly light clutch and bang-off bite point.

However, its high gearing resulted in the V8 feeling out of puff at higher revs and either in need of a sixth ratio or better ratios at the national limit.

In an era of buttons and dials, engaging four-wheel-drive is still done via the traditional second gear lever, which requires a firm hand and some muscle to shift from the default 2-High.

Despite our time with the GX.R being limited, our short spell involved less strenuous off-road work as well as negotiating a gravel road that turned into a river courtesy of an afternoon thunderstorm that left the area more than saturated.

Feeling more yacht than boat, the GX.R didn’t mind the swap-like conditions with the combination of the steel sprung suspension and smaller wheels comping with the conditions easily.

Conclusion

As much as the Land Cruiser 300 has been the key model and centre of attention since its reveal, the introduction of the 70^th Anniversary Edition 79 proved the main drawing card.

Still possessing a ‘cool’ and ‘want’ factor, as well as a certain charm unlikely to go away, it emerged as the undoubted star all presented bitterly wanted.  

Price

• Land Cruiser 79 4.5 D-4D 70^th Anniversary Edition Single Cab – R898 600
• Land Cruiser 79 4.5 D-4D 70^th Anniversary Edition Double Cab – R952 500
• Land Cruiser 300 3.3D GX-R AT – R1 283 200

For the comparison between the petrol and diesel Land Cruiser 300, click here.