Toyota launched its Land Cruiser Commercial just a few months ago, and being a bit of a fan of the Japanese manufacturer’s go-anywhere truck, I booked one in for testing at the earliest opportunity. It currently sits on my driveway, covered in frost and will be taken out on a farewell jaunt later today.

This vehicle is positioned as the flagship of the Toyota Professional range and is aimed squarely at businesses needing robust off-road capability without the need for extra passenger seats.

Based on the latest Land Cruiser passenger vehicle, the Commercial undergoes a factory conversion in Derbyshire to remove the rear seats and add a full-height metal bulkhead, thus transforming it into a spacious and practical commercial van. The rear windows are blanked off, though whatever you are carrying will still be visible through the tailgate window.

The cargo area has a load capacity of some 2,000 litres or thereabouts, with a payload of around 810kg. Many owners will want to tow, and a braked trailer of up to 3.5 tonnes can be hitched up. And with 500Nm of torque from the 2.8-litre four-cylinder engine, towing should be a doddle.

The engine is paired with a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic gearbox, and driven one up and empty, the motor is rarely stressed. It isn’t the quietest of engines, so expect some noise when pressing on or with a full load on board. More sound deadening perhaps? A mild hybrid variant is coming which should enhance the Land Cruiser’s performance without compromising its capability.

On the road, the Land Cruiser feels solid and composed, if not exactly sports car quick. The steering, now electrically assisted, is lighter than before, making town driving and manoeuvring less of a chore. The ride is firm, jiggly at times, but does come into its own off the beaten track, where it handles the rough stuff with aplomb.
In such settings, the new Multi Terrain Select system automatically adjusts the vehicle’s settings for mud, sand, rocks, or snow. There’s also a new Stabiliser Disconnect Mechanism which allows the front anti-roll bar to be disengaged, improving wheel articulation on gnarly trails.

Permanent all-wheel drive, generous ground clearance, and a raft of electronic aids mean the Land Cruiser is still the SUV you would trust to get you home when the going gets tough. I tackled some of my local tracks, some covered in snow and ice, and the Land Cruiser Commercial made it all seem rather easy. There was no need to deploy any of the considerable off-road weapons in its arsenal. Left in drive, and with low speeds, there was no drama or hint of wheelspin. I would spec the truck with more hard-core tyres, the ones fitted being more road biased than is perhaps desirable.
Inside the Commercial, comfortable heated seats are fitted and there’s an efficient climate control system. The central screen is more basic than the passenger model but is easy to use and has the necessary functions. Heating is operated by simple switches below the screen.

The usual advanced driver assistance systems are fitted such as Blind Spot Monitor and Safe Exit Assist. Turning the Lane Departure system off can be done with several presses on steering wheel buttons and it does need to be done, especially on the narrow country lanes which make up much of my driving.

As with the new passenger Land Cruiser, pricing for the Commercial is bullish to say the least. On the road, from just under £52,000 before VAT. Having said that, the Toyota’s most obvious rival, the Land Rover Defender costs from around £63,000 with VAT in long wheelbase form. It also offers the option of a third seat up front which some may find useful.

The Land Cruiser Commercial is intended for customers who require a tough, dependable, all-terrain work vehicle but don’t want or need the open-bed utility or added seating of a Hilux pickup. And if that is you, the Land Cruiser will not disappoint. It’s well built and has that feeling that it will last forever. That will undoubtedly help the residual values. Now, time for that last drive.

Fast Facts

Price - £51,729.17 + VAT
2.8-litre 4-cylinder engine
205hp
500Nm torque
0-62mph in 10.9 seconds
Top speed 102mph
Emissions – 278g/km CO2
BIK 37%
Combined economy 26.6mpg