by Return of the legendary SUV
About a year after Toyota stopped taking orders for the 70 Series Land Cruiser in Australia, the popular SUV has returned to the market following a powertrain update. As before, Australians are likely to buy this model in droves, despite its design dating back to the 1980s.
Technical changes and environmental friendliness
The most significant change concerns the engine. To make the 2.8-liter turbo diesel meet the Euro 6d emission standard used in Australia, Toyota added a 20-liter AdBlue tank. The system injects urea into the exhaust flow of the powertrain to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. It has its own filler flap on the front left wing in double-cab versions and between the cab and rear wheels in single-cab versions.
The power of the 2.8-liter engine remains unchanged. The updated 70 Series continues to produce 201 hp (150 kW) in the range of 3000-3400 rpm and 500 Nm of torque from 1600 to 2800 rpm.
Transmission and prospects
Interestingly, the Land Cruiser has so far returned only with a six-speed automatic transmission. According to the company’s Australian division, the 78 Series, 79 Series double-cab, and 76 Series GXL versions with the old five-speed manual remain “temporarily unavailable.” The lack of confirmation that the manual has been permanently removed suggests it may still return, although the timing is currently unknown.
Other updates
The only other notable change concerns the 78-Series Troopcarrier, whose fuel tank has been reduced from 180 liters to 130 liters, now matching all other 70 Series models.
“After suspending orders for some LandCruiser 70 Series in 2025 to manage customer expectations regarding supply issues, we are pleased to announce that order books are open again,” said John Pappas, Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Franchising at Toyota Australia.
The current model’s 2.8-liter turbo diesel four-cylinder engine is borrowed from the Hilux and replaced the 4.5-liter turbo diesel V8 that was available until mid-2024.
The return of the 70 Series to the Australian market shows how strong nostalgia and demand for classic SUVs remain, despite their age. The addition of the AdBlue system is a necessary step to comply with modern environmental standards, allowing the model’s life to be extended. At the same time, the absence of a manual transmission may disappoint some fans who value this model precisely for its “old-school” character. However, given the series’ popularity in Australia, even with an automatic transmission, it will likely find plenty of buyers willing to wait for the return of a legend.
