Performance
Rating: 3.8/5

This might seem a rather high score considering the Toyota Land Cruiser uses a large, inefficient and rather old-fashioned diesel – but it’s a rugged engine that suits the Land Cruiser’s purpose outstandingly well. That’s good, considering it’s the only option.

The 2020 facelift boosted the power output of the 2.8-litre, four-cylinder unit from 178hp up to 204hp, which had the effect of reducing the Land Cruiser’s 0-62mph sprint by 3.0 seconds. It can now boast a time of 9.9 seconds, which is more than fast enough for a vehicle of this type. More usefully, it’s not short of low-down torque, ideal for off-roading.

This facelift also involved the dropping of entry-level Utility models and their manual gearbox, which means that all remaining options come as standard with a six-speed torque converter automatic.

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The resulting pairing feels muscular and surprisingly smooth, and though it sounds rather agricultural at low revs the vibration is well-isolated from the cabin. The gearbox, too, is well-suited – it shifts smoothly and top gear is long enough to allow for relaxed cruising.

Comfort
Rating: 3.4/5

The Land Cruiser’s separate chassis doesn’t do an awful lot for its comfort levels – this is a car more designed for adventuring in the jungle than dealing with urban potholes. It’s more comfortable than a SsangYong Rexton, or an equivalent pickup truck, but a Land Rover Defender or Discovery offers a far more cossetting ride.

It does however offer soft, comfortable seats with plenty of space, and refinement is better than expected.

Handling
Rating: 3.4/5

With a tall, heavy body and slow steering the Land Cruiser is rather ponderous when it comes to changing direction. It rolls rather a lot and on models with smaller wheels you can rather feel it moving about on its tyres.

Take corners at a relaxed pace and the Land Cruiser won’t embarrass itself, but this isn’t a car given over to fun on the road.

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Once you leave tarmac, though, you’ll find it handles itself with aplomb. This is one of the most capable 4x4s on sale. It comes with full-time four-wheel drive and a low-range gearbox, while there’s height-adjustable suspension for times when you need even more ground clearance.

The off-road settings are numerous and include a rear differential lock and automatic crawl control. They’re accessed through a panel of buttons underneath the climate controls – rather less sophisticated than the Terrain Response system found in Land Rover products, but in its own way just as easy to use.