Best jeep in the world? We tested the Toyota Land Cruiser 250

I filled up the diesel tank and headed to the edge of Scotland. I wanted to continue in Morocco.

Scotland. Her Majesty's Lands, Whiskey, Mud, Forests, Mud, Stunning Landscapes and More Mud. This was the scenario that Toyota chose to bring us the first four pre-production units of the new Land Cruiser 250, brought directly from Japan to Europe, just for this first test.

It's no exception. The Land Cruiser is one of the biggest icons of the Japanese brand and a new generation has not been launched in 15 years. Light work. All in all, there are seven decades of history for this model which has already been sold in around 170 countries.

Now, the Toyota Land Cruiser 250 hits the market and the question arises: is it still a real Land Cruiser or has it become too bourgeois? The answer is in this video:

Starting with the aesthetics, even the biggest fans of the Toyota Land Cruiser won't have much trouble recognizing it. However, its appearance has been completely updated and deeply modernized.

In other words, it has been updated but not distorted.

Welcome to the future

Forget the previous generation Toyota Land Cruiser. The new generation has a level of equipment and technology that is “light years” away from the generation that is now out of service.

The infotainment system in the new generation takes the previous system to the level of what was done during the English invasions. In the cabin are large, high-resolution displays, as well as numerous systems designed to make driving easier on and off the road.

However, it deserves criticism. There are too many menus and submenus which makes accessing some functions very complicated.

The steering is now electric, and for the first time, the stabilizer bar can be disengaged electronically, increasing front wheel travel by 10% – very useful off-road.

Systems accompanied by a 50% increase in structural rigidity make this Land Cruiser the best ever on asphalt terrain. As for the off-road experience, the best thing you can do is watch the video. There are pictures that speak for themselves

Space and durability

The Toyota Land Cruiser cabin was developed with scenarios in mind that other models of the brand could not even dream of. In addition to providing space for almost everything and everyone, there are more carefully selected materials and tremendous attention to various details for those who travel (even a lot) far from asphalt.

Regarding payload capacity, Toyota has not yet announced the final numbers for this new generation of Land Cruiser, as the model is still undergoing the approval process.

However, the cabin space is so generous that I wasn't sure if I could fit a cow in the trunk (watch the video to understand). Inadvertently, the smell of food we had in this cabin made that moment almost possible.

Ready for anything and all over the world

Did we talk about electric cars today? I have an idea that it won't happen and it won't be in this article that we will either. Powering this Land Cruiser, we have an “old reliable” diesel engine without any kind of electricity.

This is the same 2.8 diesel engine we find in the Toyota Hilux, delivering 204bhp and maximum torque at 1,600rpm. It's not a completely silent motor (quite the opposite) but the brand's engineers have done a good job of isolating it. Do not disturb.

At the moment, there is no sign of going electric because in a model that will be sold globally, it wouldn't make sense to have it any other way. Charging an electric car in countries without a power grid must be difficult. In these markets, diesel is still king.

Moreover, in some countries where the Toyota Land Cruiser is sold, the quality of asphalt (if any) is not always the best. This means it has to be prepared for sand, dirt, snow, rocks, mud, rivers, more mud, dense forests, and also…did we say mud?

On asphalt, rolling comfort and sound insulation are much better than their predecessors. As I said, the diesel engine isn't exactly elegant in its operation. This has forced Toyota to be more adroit than usual in the type of countermeasures manufacturers use to mask the noise.

The sound insulation of the dashboard and the bottom of the car was strengthened, but it was through the speakers that the Japanese at Toyota decided to go further. These create a frequency in the passenger compartment imperceptibly, aiming to produce the same effect as a noise-canceling system in headphones.

As for the ability to “stay” away from asphalt, The best thing is to watch the video. In the text, I admit that this is not half the joke.

When will he arrive?

The new generation Toyota Land Cruiser is still in the certification phase, so the date of its arrival in our markets and the prices of the range have not yet been determined. However, it is likely that the €100,000 threshold will be largely exceeded.

As we know, Portuguese taxes severely penalize larger engines. In this regard, no traction system can help us.

If this isn't one of the best Jeeps in the world, it's on the podium. Updated to the requirements of the car that will be sold in 2024, but with the character required of the Land Cruiser Light Doty.

You need to understand the history and the Land Cruiser range, to understand the basis on which the development of the new Land Cruiser 250 was based. You can find everything about it on our website Video test.

Judgment