It Appears to Be a New Land Cruiser, But It’s Actually a Van | Carscoops

      The load volume is less than that of the ProAce City van, but the towing capacity significantly surpasses that of typical commercial vans.

      7 hours ago

      by Thanos Pappas

      Toyota has unveiled a new light commercial van variant of the Land Cruiser specifically for the UK market.

      This SUV boasts a spacious cargo area with up to 2,000 liters of usable load capacity.

      All 2026 Land Cruiser models in Europe and the UK will be equipped with a mild-hybrid turbodiesel powertrain.

      The new Land Cruiser has evolved beyond being just a sturdy off-roader; it now joins Toyota’s lineup of professional vehicles in the UK. In a factory-supported modification, Toyota has converted the SUV into a commercial vehicle by removing the rear seats to create a roomy cargo space, while retaining its robust off-road capabilities.

      Additionally, Toyota has confirmed that every UK and European version of the Land Cruiser will feature a mild-hybrid diesel powertrain by year’s end.

      More: This Is The New Toyota FJ Cruiser You’ve Been Waiting For

      The commercial-spec Land Cruiser is exclusive to the UK, modified at Toyota’s Burnaston facility in Derbyshire. It targets professional users seeking the off-road strength of the Land Cruiser without the seating capacity or open-bed flexibility of a Hilux pickup. In essence, it’s designed for those needing to transport equipment rather than passengers.

      Looks Like an SUV, Functions Like a Van

      Visually, it’s difficult to distinguish this variant from the standard Land Cruiser, except for the steel panels that replace the rear-side windows. Inside, however, the changes are evident. The rear seats have been removed and replaced with a flat cargo floor and a metal partition featuring a mesh upper section to separate the front cabin. The cargo area is coated with a sturdy tray and measures 1,685 mm (66.3 inches) in length.

      Overall, the model offers a cargo capacity of 2,000 liters (70.6 cubic feet), which is slightly less than the previous model's 2,216 liters (78.3 cubic feet). While this space is likely sufficient for its intended audience, it doesn't compete with dedicated vans like the compact Toyota Pro Ace City, which has a load volume of 3,800 liters (134.2 cubic feet). Nevertheless, the SUV retains a substantial towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes (7,000 pounds).

      Toyota UK

      Toyota claims that the latest LCV version comes better equipped than previous iterations. Standard features now include 18-inch alloy wheels, a power-adjustable driver's seat, heated seats and steering wheel, a power tailgate with a separate window hatch, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, an electronic parking brake, dual-zone climate control, a 9-inch infotainment display, and Toyota’s Safety Sense driver assistance package.

      Mechanically, there are no changes. The LCV version retains the same 2.8-liter diesel engine and full-time four-wheel-drive system with selectable drive modes, ensuring all key off-road functionalities remain intact.

      The Land Cruiser Commercial is set to launch in the UK this August, starting at £52,729 ($70,600), with first deliveries anticipated in September. It is unlikely that this model will be made available elsewhere, although the modifications could be adapted for left-hand-drive versions.

      Mild-Hybrid Diesel Power Added to the Lineup

      In addition to the introduction of the LCV variant, Toyota has announced a broader powertrain update for the Land Cruiser across Europe and the UK. As promised during the model’s launch in 2023, the SUV will transition to a more efficient mild-hybrid diesel configuration, replacing the previous non-electrified engine.

      The familiar 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel is now paired with a Hybrid 48V system that includes an electric motor generator, a lithium-ion battery with 4.3Ah capacity, and a DC to DC power converter. This setup has also been utilized in the Australian-spec Land Cruiser Prado and the Hilux pickup.

      More: New Self-Charging Land Cruiser Is The Most Powerful Ever

      The output from the diesel engine alone stays at 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque, while the hybrid system can contribute an additional 16 hp (12 kW) and 65 Nm (48 lb-ft) when fully charged. More importantly, Toyota anticipates reduced CO2 emissions compared to the previous diesel-only version.

      The company states that the mild-hybrid variant offers a “smoother, quieter, and more responsive engine stop-start system” and provides “smooth, linear, and powerful acceleration from a standstill.” Furthermore, the new components have been designed to tolerate harsh conditions, ensuring that the SUV’s off-road capabilities, including a wading depth of 700 mm (27.6 inches), remain uncompromised.

      Deliveries of the hybrid Land Cruiser are expected to commence in