Toyota Land Cruiser: Rustic - but not quite cheap

Combining the old with the new. Or simply: "A return to the roots", as Chief Engineer Keita Moritsu aptly describes it. When a car has such a long - and successful - history as the Toyota Land Cruiser, this works particularly well, of course. The model has been around since 1951 and over 11 million units have already been sold in more than 170 countries.

The new generation of the Land Cruiser returns to tried and tested values. The body parts have a simple design and can be easily replaced if damaged. The headlights, radiator grille and rear lights are positioned high so that they are not damaged when driving off-road.

And despite the modern design, the Land Cruiser relies on proven and robust technology: a ladder-type steel frame, permanent all-wheel drive, mechanical differential locks and a decoupling stabilizer bar. The package is complemented by modern technologies such as a camera system with all-round visibility and an automatic creep mode for the 8-speed automatic transmission. The new Land Cruiser is powered by the familiar 2.8-liter diesel engine with a choice of 151 kW/205 hp or 169 kW/230 hp and a fuel consumption of 10.3 to 10.6 l/100 km.

The principle of "form follows function" has been the Toyota Land Cruiser's recipe for success for over 70 years. This still applies today and is particularly clear in the interior: there are many buttons and each of them has a clear function. This makes operation much easier and more intuitive than a touchscreen with countless functions and menus.

The character of the Land Cruiser may be rustic - but the prices are top class: the weaker engine version is available from 69,900 francs. For the more powerful engine in the upscale "Invincible" equipment, the price is at least 91,700 francs.