Tough enough for any terrain: Toyota Land Cruiser LC79

If you’re looking for a vehicle that can bravely combat any terrain in South Africa, the 2023 Toyota Land Cruiser 79 is your answer. Its go-anywhere ability and strong reliability have remained strong for seven decades, and to commemorate last year’s 70^th anniversary, Toyota built a special 70^th Anniversary Edition.

This Special Edition sits at the top of the LC79 range featuring unique styling such as a new “heritage-inspired” front grille, a rear tubular step bumper, a tubular front steel bumper, a rubberised load-bed lining of 3 mm, and two exclusive paints (Ivory White or Sand Beige).

The new Toyota LC79 is available in eight variants, boasting Station Wagon, Single Cab, and Double Cab layouts. Toyota offers three engine choices:

• A 4.2-litre diesel creating 94 kW @ 3,800 and 280 Nm @ 2200 r/min on the Land Cruiser 79 Single Cab and 79 Double Cab.
• A 4.0-litre petrol accessible only on the LC79 Single Cab and Double Cab yielding 170 kW @ 5,200 r/min and 360 Nm @ 3,800 r/min.
• A 4.5-litre V8 engine with 151 kW and 430 Nm is available on the LC79 Station Wagon, Single Cab, and Double Cab models. The Land Cruiser 70^th Anniversary Edition comes exclusively with this mill.

All the powerplants pair with a 5-speed manual transmission that is highly responsive and capable of handling any terrain in South Africa. Besides, the 4-position 4-wheel drive transfer lever offers excellent control, while the coil-spring front suspension, along with the long wheelbase, renders remarkable steering stability at varying speeds in different conditions. The leaf-spring rear suspension makes journeys comfortable, whereas the 235mm ground clearance and 700mm wading depth allow the LC79 to manage the beaten paths confidently.

The designers have highlighted the go-anywhere ability with chrome finishes on the grille, door handles, and aluminium side steps. The load bay is 1,525 mm long and 1,600 mm wide, while the load volume is between 920 kg and 1,005 kg, as per the model.

The interior is old-school yet practical, focusing on the driver and occupant's comfort for all types of journeys. The air conditioning system is optimal for extreme heat, the front bottle holders make sure you never spill your drinks inside the vehicle, and the lockable glove box can keep your important stuff safe.

Furthermore, the LC79 ensures convenience through electrically adjustable windows and entertainment through an audio system with Bluetooth and USB port. The double cab models also come equipped with a navigation system, Miracast (Android), Auto Plus Show (Android), and Apple CarPlay (iOS).

Conquering the African terrains isn't an easy feat. Toyota knows it very well, and that’s why the automaker has armed it with class-leading safety features. All the LC79 models boast driver and passenger airbags with a stretched front bumper to avoid a needless airbag response during off-roading.

Moreover, the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) blocks wheels from locking up during driving on slippery roads. The rear differential is there to offer the needed traction to cope with challenging situations. The ventilated disc brakes on the front and drum at the back are powerful enough for any trail in South Africa. Finally, the Japanese automaker ensures security through an immobiliser and wireless door lock.

The 2023 Toyota Land Cruiser LC79 Petrol Single Cab is the least expensive model in the range, starting at R692,400. The price goes as high as R1,000,700 for the Double Cab 70^th Edition, and that includes a 3-year/100,000 km warranty. (Prices correct at time of publication.)

Please note the imagery supplied in this blog was taken off www.cars.co.za