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.