If you need to tow long distances across remote terrain on unmetalled roads, the Toyota Land Cruiser is the car for the job. However, if you want to pull a caravan to Cornwall rather than cross a continent, there are much better SUVs.

Recent changes to the Land Cruiser have given the car updated looks inside and out, as well as more safety features than before.

It’s no better to drive, though. The 2.8-litre engine is a four-cylinder unit when just about every comparable rival has a smoother six-cylinder diesel.

It’s well down on power compared with most £50k SUVs, which accounts for the leisurely 17.5-second amble from 30-60mph while pulling a caravan.

At 60mph it feels reasonable secure, but there was noticeable sway from the caravan when slowing from high speed.

In the first and slowest attempt at the lane-change test there was some movement from the rear of the car, but it completed the manoeuvre. In the second, quicker test the slide was so violent that the attempt was abandoned.

The manual handbrake held car and caravan still so long as it was pulled on firmly, and the Land Cruiser pulled over the hill without fuss or strain.

As a day to day drive, What Car?‘s road testers complain of the car’s stodgy handling and slow-witted steering.

It may be great off road, but on Tarmac it’s a long way off the standard set by the likes of the Land Rover Discovery. What’s more, the big Toyota is too expensive to buy and run.

2019
Category Winners
2019 Up to 1400kg

Škoda Octavia

Hatch 1.5 TSI 150PS SE L DSG

2019 1400-1549kg

Seat Ateca

2.0 TSI 190PS FR DSG

2019 1550-1699kg

Volkswagen Arteon

2.0 TDI 150PS Elegance DSG

2019 1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2019 1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 SDV6 HSE

2019 Best Budget 4x4

Dacia Duster

1.5 dCi Ambiance 4x4

2019 Best Plug-In Hybrid

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

P400e HSE Dynamic

2019 Best Ultralight Tow Car

Seat Arona

1.0 TSI 115 FR

2019 Fuel Economy Award

Ford Focus Estate

1.5 EcoBlue 120PS Titanium X

Previous Winners
2018
1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2017
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 Td6 HSE*

2016
1400-1549kg

Skoda Superb Hatch

2.0 TDI 150PS SE Business

2015
1400-1549kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI BMT 150PS SE Business DSG

2014
1400-1549kg

Nissan Qashqai

1.6 dCi (130PS) Stop/Start System Acenta Premium

2013
Up to 1424kg

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TDI CR 150PS Elegance

2012
1725–1899kg

Jaguar XF

2.2D Premium Luxury

2011
1425-1574kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI 170 Bluemotion Sport

2010
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery 4

3.0 TDV6 XS

2009
1900kg+

Volvo XC60

D5 SE Geartronic

2008
1575-1724kg

Ford Mondeo Estate

2.0 TDCi Titanium auto

2007
1575-1724kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI Sport 4Motion

ContinueWe use cookies to give you the best browsing experience and to provide you with relevant content and advertising.
By continuing to use our website you are accepting our use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy.