Toyota had to delay the local introduction of the Land Cruiser 79 70th Edition last year (due to yet another spike in Covid-19 infections), but this week, our contributor Brent vd Schyff finally got the chance to travel to the Hartbeespoort area to see whether the special edition of South Africa’s favourite “tough-as-nails” bakkie is worth crowing about.
A brief history of Land Cruiser
The Land Cruiser 79 has a long history of… staying the same.
The origin of the Land Cruiser can be traced back to the Toyota BJ of 1951. Three years later, it got renamed Land Cruiser and, as many of you know, the nameplate has gone on to become a “brand name” in and of itself. Throughout the decades, the ‘Cruiser has been offered in various iterations, from the 76 Station Wagon, to the 78 Wagon (affectionately known as the “Troopy”) and the 79, which comes in single- and double-cab guises.
The mere mention of the 79 can make grown men (especially those clad in two-tone khaki, who really couldn’t care that you think they look silly) go weak at the knees. Why? Because the Land Cruiser’s renowned go-anywhere ability and robust reliability endure. Plus, it looks much as it did 50 years ago. “If it ain’t broke…don’t fix it.” That’s why Toyota has not tampered with it and, judging by the waiting lists, it’s a prudent decision.
The 70th Edition is more than just a badge job. Its introduction is tantamount to a bicep flex by the Aichi-based company – it serves to reaffirm the fact that Toyota produces some of the most capable off-road vehicles in the new-vehicle market. The 70th Edition marks the platinum anniversary of the indomitable Land Cruiser and it seems quite apt, considering the precious metal is strong, long-lasting and doesn’t scuff, just like Toyota’s mainstay.
What’s the Land Cruiser 79 70th Edition like to drive?
The 70th Edition gets special exterior badging and the 4.5-litre V8 diesel.
Even after all these years, the ‘Cruiser’s exterior execution still has a, shall we say, monolithic presence about it. Having not changed much apart from minor cosmetic tweaks here and there, the 79 looks unashamedly utilitarian and… out of place in a cityscape environment. It’s all squared-off angles and steel fittings, although this iteration has “70th Edition” badging next to its rectangular side mirrors. Oh, and don’t forget that trademark snorkel!
While the 79’s interior remains reassuringly agricultural, I’m kind of surprised that Toyota slapped in a touchscreen infotainment system (replete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, nogal). It almost seems out of place when the rest of the interior feels like it dates from 20 years ago. Again, rather than a criticism, it’s more a nod to a winning formula of “function over form”. Oh, 70th Anniversary emblems feature on the headrests.
The Land Cruiser 79 prides itself on its 235 mm of ground clearance and a 700-mm wading depth. And, trust me, we got the chance to test both of those benchmark measurements during the 70th Edition’s launch route, during which we navigated our way through a series of off-road obstacles, including a hip-level river crossing. The ‘Cruiser proved easily up to the task, after which it launched itself up a steep section of, um, jeep track.
You’ll only find the 70th edition badging on the 4.5 litre V8 diesel version of the 79, which produces 151 kW/430 Nm. Those accustomed to kerb-mounting SUVs’ perky get-up-and-go may be disappointed, but the ‘Cruiser has ample torque for towing heavy loads and getting work done.
The manual 5-speed gearbox shifts positively; one may imagine its innards were hewn from Adamantium. Indeed, when the Cruiser strides forward in low range, it instils confidence that it could drudge through just about any on-land environment…. even when there’s livestock loaded on its load bed.
The infotainment system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which seems out of place in something this utilitarian.
The separate stubby lever to switch between low and high range is anything but a retro throwback, dear readers. Its position and purpose remain unchanged from what they were long before “selecting an off-road mode at the push of the button” became so integral to the modern 4×4 experience. An easy switch to lock differentials is about as modern as the Land Cruiser has become in that regard… Remember when one would have to get out of the vehicle and lock the front-wheel hubs? Those were the days! The thought of doing that certainly evokes fond childhood memories for me.
Africa is still “no place for sissies”, that’s for sure. Our test route incorporated the kind of gravel roads that make up the bulk of our road network – they were littered with dips, undulations and corrugated sections. Then the heavens opened and released a trademark Highveld downpour, which caused rivulets to form along the way. The ‘Cruiser, however, dealt with everything with ease, even at a fairly brisk pace. It all reminded me of an old African proverb I once heard around a campfire… “If you can’t afford a grader to smooth out the road, buy a Land Cruiser.” It’s the next best thing.
Unsurprisingly, the Land Cruiser 70th Edition – and the same can be said of its brethren – isn’t in its element when cruising on a highway, because the ratio in 5th gear is a bit high, which means that the engine may sit at higher rpm than you’d like, to the detriment of fuel economy, which isn’t flattered by the Toyota’s “aerodynamics” anyway. Apart from that, the ‘Cruiser excels in the areas it always has; it offers off-road utility like no other bakkie.
Land Cruiser 79 Cruiser pricing
| 4.5 Diesel V8 70th Edition S/C | R898 600 |
| 4.5 Diesel V8 70th Edition D/C | R952 500 |
Prices include a 3-year/100 000 km warranty. Service and maintenance plans are optional and services are required once a year/every 10 000 km.
Summary
Toyota has no problem selling Land Cruisers in SA, the 70th model will likely continue demand for the conquerer.
With the 70th Edition, the Land Cruiser nameplate has again stamped down its authority as one of the most capable bakkies on the market, finish and klaar. It serves as a reminder to the competition that this vehicle represents the ultimate version of function-over-form. Its ruggedness is undeniable – if you’re looking for the toughest and most reliable off-road-oriented bakkie (shorn of the frills that come part and parcel of modern motoring), well, this is it.
The opportunity to drive the famed Land Cruiser meant a helluva lot to me. Once you look past the complexities and flashy trimmings of an (admittedly less pricey) modern leisure bakkie, what are you left with? Certainly not a Land Cruiser 79. Its unrivalled utility and reliability shine brighter than its dull interior and squared-off exterior. Toyota has stuck to its guns and preserved that original DNA… That is why the Land Cruiser remains special.
Search for a used Land Cruiser here
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