Yesterday we noted that the “new” short-wheelbase Land Cruiser 70 was available in the UAE. Now Toyota has also brought back the venerable off-roader in Japan. Originally launched in 1984, the J70 was discontinued in the region in 2004, but it returned a decade later for just one year before disappearing again. Now it’s back for 2024.
The JDM-spec model was unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show. It’s not the same barebones Toyota off-roader from 40 years ago since this latest iteration has modern systems like Hill Start Assist Control and Downhill Assist Control. Toyota fits the JDM-spec Land Cruiser 70 with a six-speed automatic transmission as well as stability control and Active traction control. You still get the dependable ladder frame in conjunction with electronic differential locks.
In Japan, the reborn 70 Series Land Cruiser is offered exclusively as a six-door SUV powered by a 2.8-liter turbodiesel mill with 201 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. In Australia, the all-terrain vehicle can be had with a V8 diesel while the UAE gets the naturally aspirated 4.0-liter V6 gas engine. Depending on the region, the go-anywhere model also comes as a pickup truck and that “shorty” three-door SUV we mentioned earlier.
It’s almost 2024, but you can still buy a brand-new vehicle with a fender-mounted mirror. Since Japan is a right-hand-drive market, that extra mirror is mounted on the left fender to serve as an old-school solution to blind spots. On the subject of quirks, the in-house tuner Modellista also offers yellow LED fog lamps and a bunch of other goodies.
Toyota is charging 4,800,000 yen, so about $32,500 at current exchange rates. Alternatively, the resurrected Land Cruiser can also be ordered with a Kinto subscription service from as low as 45,760 yen ($310) per month. As good of a deal as this may seem, it comes with a seven-year plan, and you’ll end up paying 6,153,840 yen ($41,740) before having to return the vehicle.
Toyota estimates it will sell about 400 units each month in its domestic market.
