2007 Toyota LandCruiser 76 Series GXL Wagon review
November 22, 2007 by Anthony Crawford
I can’t tell you why, but I like the metal glove box. It has that “this will never break” feel about it. Let’s hope Toyota never resorts to plastic. The die-hards won’t buy it for that reason alone.
Believe it not (I’m speaking to those under 40 years) a manually operated electric aerial used to be a luxury item. Of course with a go anywhere vehicle like a 70 Series, it’s mandatory to be able to control this function from inside the cabin, unless you want to replace it at $200 a pop, every time you go bush.
Another unique feature is the idle up switch for those icy cold mornings when the battery may be struggling.
The standard fit 4 speaker audio unit sounds decent enough and although only a single disc player, it is MP3 compatible.
Unlike the Cab Chassis and Troop Carrier versions, which come with hard wearing vinyl seat trim, the GXL wagon will have you backside perched on some salubrious and surprisingly comfortable, cloth fabric – just don’t go near a coal mine and climb back in!
It’s tall yes, but there’s a grab handle for each door, along with decent width aluminium side steps, to make entry and exit not so difficult.
Storage inside the cabin area isn’t bad either, with side door pockets and a centre console bin. Even with the rear bench seat up, there’s a tonne of load space in the boot area and even more with the seat folded forward. It just doesn’t fold flat which is a bit of nuisance.
For a heavy-duty four-wheeler weighing in at 2335kg (kerb weight) braked towing capacity at 3500kg is identical to Land Rover’s Discovery and Range Rover.
Tags: Toyota Landcruiser, Toyota LandCruiser 76 Series GXL Wagon
i dont know what it is about em, they’re rough as guts, but something about em just makes em cool!
I’d prefer a Land Rover Defender but I’d buy this Land Criuser!
Looks like a microwave on wheels!
DONT LIKE IT, LOOKS OLD, BOXY AND HEAVY. ALSO THE STYLING LOOKS LIKE IT BELONGS ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO…ATLEAST THEY GOT IT RIGHT WITH THE KLUGER…
Yeh, but its a hard core Land Cruiser – who cares what it looks like. It’s the off road king!
Good to see this review hot on the heels of the LR guys – well done!
Think I’d still take the LR if it was a choice between the two though.
Strange, a 4-Door Troop carrier. Just like the new Jeep.
Front and read diff-locks [they are priced right BTW] and factory snorkel this will destroy a Defender.
Not only that on the wat there, the V8 Turbo can pull out and overtake [broken down?Ed.] the Defender WHILE TOWING A TRAILER UP HILL.
Is it any wonder its the most wanted HD 4×4 on the planet?[Patrol close 2nd]
Cheers
F-0
*VOTE-NOW!*
Good report Andrew!
I believe this comment [well proven] sums it up 100%:
“The GXL Wagon will outsell its competition on the basis of one thing and one thing only.**Toyota reliability!**
Yeap, 400 dealers Aussie wide, parts warehouses in each state/territoy, Defender is bombed against that!
Finally, the ONLY other vehicle that has similar off road ability is the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon edition…BUT no diesel on that model….why?
Cheers
F-0
Love the comment that the early models didn’t have Low Range – having driven some of the early examples plus early L/R and Jeep, it would be truer to say they had no High Range :)
The output of this V8 engine is truly pathetic – only 430Nm of torque. This figure is achieved by much smaller engines from other manufacturers. Basically it means it has 4 lazy pistons……which the other 4 have to drive, increasing fuel consumption.
and no AIRBAGS or ABS SHAME SHAME SHAME Toyota.
I know it’s a work horse and belongs out in the sticks by the styling is absolutely horrendous. You’ve got the slightly curvy front end with a very geometric/straight edges, retro looking back end and side panels, it just doesn’t go together. You have it either all curvy or all boxy, not half and half!
I kinda agree Azza. I also think work horses like this should have more readily interchangable parts, such as round headlights which can be purchased CHEAPLY anywhere to avoid buying expensive factory parts.
Not even a single airbag ? – Welcome back to 1980…
Yes, it is tough but only people who are going to use them in the rough environments should be allowed to buy them.
Anyone who buys one to transport their family around the town/city should be classified as a child abuser. There are much safer vehicles that they should have bought instead.
Iamthestig, your sentiments are correct. But I would classify any adult as a child with a few years under its belt, so transporting anyone in these things is child abuse.
Your bad, Toyota (and LR for the Defender)
Yeah lets demonise Toyota… this is a purpose built offroad vehicle, it isnt designed for families nor would anyone in their right mind buy it for this purpose. Whats next we attack Hummers because in the military they dont have airbags…
Iamthestig – i have never EVER seen someone using a 70 series cruiser as an oversized pram like you see with the regular landcruiser or prado. I think your comments might be a bit mis-guided, you dont need to regulate that only people who will use em for their intended purpose should buy them because those are the only people who buy them anyway!
and frankly i think its a bit tough to put landcruiser 70 and land rover defender owners into the same class of people as those who beat, starve and rape little kids, your drawing a pretty long and unfair bow, think about your comments a bit more before you make them i think!
Yes the new Land Cruiser 70 series leaves the Defender for dead!!!! It is true 4WD with out all the un necessary bits and pieces that all the soccer mums have on their “city” 4WDs. It would be cool if we could get the twin turbo system off the 200 series and bolt it on to the 70 series….it would then be an insane 4WD
Iamthestig, great point in your comment!!! Hope people in city areas don’t buy them just because they think they’re “safe” in them. Not to mention theres no side airbags.
But I’m not dissing Toyota, because…Let me say, I don’t want to bring back Toyota Paul saying “they more reliable”.
But isn’t it classed as a commercial vehicle? Do Commercial Vehicles normally have Airbags?
Do the mine sites require airbags……..cause those guys are ultra safety conscious! Perhaps I should ask Cobra045 as would know!!!!!!!!
\”Richo Says:
November 23rd, 2007 at 2:47 pm
Iamthestig – i have never EVER seen someone using a 70 series cruiser as an oversized pram like you see with the regular landcruiser or prado.\”
Well, sorry, I have seen exactly this more than once and even been to a BBQ listening to a dimwit (hence my comment) saying how he bought one for his wife (and kids) to drive around in because they are \”safer\” (!) than getting a Prado…
In another breath, (more directed to the men listening!) he then said he got one instead of a Prado because of the motor (to which there was much nodding of heads while I simply rolled back my eyes and thought what a tosser I was listening to…)
The cab chasses, (which are the same front end as this) would be classed as commercial vehicle. But this is an SUV, but wonder if thats classed as a car or a truck?
Iamthestig – your aware that kids under the age of 10 shouldn’t be sitting in the front seat anyway, so assuming the kids are sitting in the back seat anyway, what difference does it make? their isn’t usually frontal impact airbags for rear seat occupants!
and as someone else said, the 70 series is classed as a comercial vehicle, not a passenger car
Na……..I think troopys are classed as commercial so this must be the same series.
Hey isn’t that why in the USA F TRUCKS are classed as trucks not pickups so no safety standards have to be met?
Depends if they F-150s or F-250s.
Does it? How ? I saw something on Top Gear when they where test driving some big SUV {Chev I think} and Clarkson mentioned that the American class their pickups as Trucks !
they popularly refer to them as “trucks” as in “mate check out my new truck!” but they are still classified as pick-ups.
And yes the 70 series wagon is classed in the same class as the troopcarrier, ie commercial vehicle
“pick-up” is an American slang for Trucks such as Dodge Ram, Toyota Tundra, Chev Silverardo, Ford F150 – Super duty(250,250). But “UTE” is a name for Ford Falcons, ‘34 302(First Ute) and Holden utes.
Well as an owner of one of these vehicles I find the wagon very capable however my only criticism would be the center floor console or lack of storage area. The carpet is of a very poor quality as well having done one trip down south
with children in the rear and it rubbed though to underside in several spots!!
As a drive vehicle in the city it gives very good vision however 2nd gear take off is a good option.As a country boy they give very good manageability and decline control plus reasonable fuel economy and plenty of low down torque where its needed. I pull a 3.5 tonne trailer with ease and fuel is not allot different when towing so all in all I am happy with the new 76 Series.
It is probaly one of the best 4×4 you can buy for perfomance and reliability off road, but for safety it is terrible no airbags at all and you’d want a few for the money you pay for it. And it’s not like Toyota.
A 2.7 l landrover diesel has more torque than this
Great car and I would like one but there is not much of a range to choose from. I like 4 or 6 cylinders and an auto, plus a third row of seats would be nice. The V8 uses too much fuel, something like 11-12L would be better instead of 16l which some of the test runs have returned. I bought an old 91 70 series Prado which is the same as the new one except it is 4 cylinder and auto. Electric everything and A/C, I think I’ll keep it.
Gibbo Says at 3:37 pm on 23/11/07.
” Yes the new Land Cruiser 70 series leaves the Defender for dead!!!!”
How do you figure that? Defender has way better ground clearance, constant 4 wheel drive, comes standard with diff lock, delivers with amazing fuel economy and has way better suspension than the Toyota.
Don’t get me wrong Defenders are a long way from perfect & Land Rover Australia has done a bloody crap job supporting it’s product in my part of rural Australia.
In fact I’m very interested in the new Toyota as a replacement for my Defender, but so far all I’m hearing is hype. Let’s see how they go over the next 12-24 months when cashed-up city folk take them around Australia.
Early reports seem to indicate concerns over the placement of key components (starter motor & air intake etc) that may seriously effect the Toyota when it comes to water crossings.
Chances are Toyota will improve on this come generation 2 but why couldn’t they get it right from the start?
I’d doubt those fuel consumption figures too. Below 12L per 100kms? Yeah right!
I have just been to the local dealer and was told it couldn’t have an air bag because of the rigid frame. Doesn’t make sense to me as I thought they worked off a G switch. Also found the rear wheel track is about 75mm narrower than the front. Done to accomodate the V8. Not a good thing on sand.
I would love to have one of them. Many people who farm and off road here in America would love to have the pickup but they won’t sell them to us. Montana is unique in the fact that we can run off road vehicles on our main roads and I could possibly import one and register it as an offroad only vehicle. They would sell like beer over here but our DOT makes it difficult.
Till then, I will keep dreaming….
I still can’t believe Toyota actually launched the 70 series without what is pretty much accepted as standard safety features – I’m talking about airbags. I would buy one of these tomorrow for work, but since my industry requires airbags – it’s no go I’m afraid Toyota. My first vehicle was a Landcruiser and I’ve had 6 (owned) and about 20 for work. What a cock-up! Goodness – professionals will be driving around in Nissans next! I’m REALLY disappointed.
I have ordered one and arrives early June, My previous vehicle was a 98 model LR Discovery, that has just clocked over 500000 km albeit expensive and alot of time spent on the side of the road waiting for the tilt truck and this was also after serviceing it every four weeks or so, it was well maintained.
The new 70 series was an easy choice, as I did not want all the bells and wistles that came with the 200 series as well as the price tag,I am in country Queensland where these vehicles will hold their own, and the issue no airbags is simple, drive defensively, be aware of whats around you and drive to conditions and your capablilities. 10 years and 500000 km in the Discovery without any accidents or near misses, just take your foot of the accelerator, unlike 95% of the idiots out there driving their airbag complete sedans, there the problem not the any of the vehicle’s we all drive.
Philmack,
Congratulations on buying your new Toyota & I agree with your comments. Personally, I like the new 70 series “Troopy” in sandy color & would buy one tomorrow if I wanted to travel around our countries outback.
Cheers !
Hello,
I was wondering if anyone knows if there will be a swb (3 Door) version of this Landcruiser??? I would very mush appreciate any info as I have seen a picture of one tearing up the dunes in the middle east but maybe it was a facelift conversion. Thanks
I want one. Damn Toyota wont sell the 70s in the states. my FJ60 is 22 years old and still running strong. The FJ Cruiser is a soccer mom express. Toyota is giving me two choises. Mahindra or Jeep.
ah memories…not sure what do u mean by unique feature both my parents’ 70 and 80 series has the idle up switch, one of them has the idle up dial that u can fine tune how much extra revs you want
the glove box is not break-proof, my parents old 70 series has a dodgy glove box, it wouldnt stay close unless u slam it hard enough. i didn’t like that particular car because it wasnt properly maintained before and after we bought it. but i’ve seen sound examples of the old 70 series. given the chance, i’d take any short wheelbase old or new 70 series!
i have one and the wife and kids go every where in it (she loves it) in the city it easy keeps up. on the beach, up rough rocky pilbara hills, hitting roos… nothing has stopped it … i am up for the challenge. i say you can’t knock it till you tryed it. i have a 170lt tank and i did a combined run (& some circle work in the padock) 13lt/100km. i think every litre is worth the driving pleasure. 100% better than my GXL 100 series… o what a feeling is right with this one… keep it up toyota.
my goodness.
Get a life. Iamthestig, no one cares about your BBQ chatter. If you think the LC76 is a piece of junk then why would you bother commenting. If you were informed in any way whatsoever about 4×4ing you would know that Airbags and abs are not real important. These work horse trucks are built and bought for a purpose. To work. If people are going to buy these things for bumming around woolies and their excelent touch parking properties then that is their decision. Toyota designed this as a useable truck and hav worked to the “if it ain’t broke then don’t fix it” approach.
Hey all, prtty sure there are a few unfair coments on this car and things such as “Anyone who buys one to transport their family around the town/city should be classified as a child abuser. There are much safer vehicles that they should have bought instead” well air bags or not if you slam into a tree at 100kms 4 instence your ganna get seriously hurt, and a “child abuser” is takeing it a bit to far, if some one buys one 4 family trans port they will know wats best 4 them NOT YOU!!
thnks
PS. if you drive as safe a u can than there should be a problem!!
IM GIONG TO BUY THAT LAND CRUISER AMAIZING 70 SERIES BUT SO SO AUFULLY THAT ONE WITH DIFLOCK IS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE GULF COUNTRY :( IT CAMES AS FULL OPTIONS SUCH AS POWER STEERING AND POWER WINDOWS POWER MIRRORS BUT NO FU..EN DIFLOCK,CAN SOME ONE INFORM ME WHAT TO DO?
DEFENDER IS BETTER THAN A TOYOTA 70 SERIES OFF ROAD FOR A START AND YOU TOYOTA FANS KNOW IT. A DEFENDER USES LESS FULE AND ITS AXLE ARTICULATION IS MUCH BETTER THAN THE TOYOTA. AND THE GROUND CLEARNCE IS BETTER. THE TOYOTA IS IN MY OPINION A GREAT 4X4 AND IS VERY TOUGH AND RELIABLE AND I DO LIKE IT. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO SERIOUS OFF ROADING THE DEFENDER RULES
james bourn sorry,but you are idiot.
How you can possibly compare lc70 to that english unreliable junk?
When it comes to offroading, defender will lose in anyway.
“Def” got bigger clearence? Thats only because its fitted with bigger tires as standard,and that the only reason. And if you dare to put tires bigger-very soon you’ll lose your axles. ;)
With LC70 on other side you can put wheels as big as you like without compromising on reliability.
Well it\’s getting close to 12 months since I first posted about this car and maybe now is a good time to ask if those in possession of one would mind sharing with us.
1. Is it as good to own as it looks?
2. Real world fuel economy stats (highway etc)
3. Service – how often and how much?
I currently drive a Land Rover Defender BUT……. reliabity…ouch! Despite regular service & a check by my mechanic before a 1 month trip to Victoria, the bugger let me down right on Xmas Day. By the time I was back on the road I\’d lost 25% of my holiday & a wad of money for repairs. So now I\’m thinking Toyota may just be the answer.
And IF I\’m buying should I go Prado or this Landcruiser with it\’s easier towing capability.
Any owners or experts willing to offer advice?
Blinky Bill – a few comments above you questioned wether the 70 Series is better then the Defender but now it seems you know the answer to that yourself.
As much as i respect Nissan, i believe all things considered including reliability, dependability and durability … Toyota commercials / 4×4’s remain the benchmark and there is no denying that the Hilux, Prado, 70 series and Cruiser Wagon are all extremely good units for thier intended (design) purpose.
The 70’s series … undeniably the most rugged of them all alwhile the Landcruiser and Prado provide strong off-road credentials but in comfort.
Wether to go for a Prado or ‘70 series … completely up to you in exactly what you want.
The ‘70 series will defantly be more rugged but the Prado will do everthing with absolute competancy but with comfort !!
You choose what suits your needs better and that is what’s good about Toyota – they offer a variety of commercials / 4×4’s to choose from with different capabilities to suit thier intended purpose.
Landrovers are strong, but thier reliability is not.
J.J.T. – As you rightly say “Landrovers are strong, but thier reliability is not.” and it’s certainly the reliability factor that concerns me most.
That’s why I’m looking for information from owners of the LC70 to get it from the ‘horses mouth’ so to speak.
Regards the Prado – the D4D certainly looks the goods and I’ve not discounted it but the LC70 seems to suit my needs better. Not with standing I try to keep my eye on things about Prado too.
Blinky – outright off-road ability is not the only judgement towards a good 4×4 … reliability, dependability and durability go hand-in-hand to complete an overall package amoung other things.
Question is … do you want to visit a remote and challenging location in a strong vehicle or do you want to visit the same landscape in a strong and reliable / dependable vehicle.
Don’t get me wrong, every manufactuer and every model have thier faults but the differance is, some have more then others.
hey i like the new 70 series n like other toyotas nothing even comes close it is not a svu it is a commercial h/duty wagon with tares and gross figures no other heavy comercial has air bags ive just traded my 79 t.d cab chassis on it but unlike the so called opposition there is non on the shelf so i gotta weight like all the other tojos you want u order the supply and demand tells the story above no other like to catch all u tojo fans on the trails where others fear to tread
What, exactly, does all that mean???
I think I may have found a replacement for my beloved 60 series when the old girl dies, might take another couple of decades though!!!
Me too.
I love my HJ60, it took me all over Australia. Fantastic car; here is its natural successor.
reckless1 can you please show me a car that makes more then 430nu @ 1200rpm’s ???? smaller motor at what crazy rpm make this torque ? and not from a dyno sheet either as the torque get’s mulitplyed on a roller dyno only an engine dyno can show true readings..
some people, if you dont know what your talking about dont post you unture facts and try and make this car look bad
haveing 430nu @ 1200rpm is a great feet, and make one good engine for 4×4 use, good torque at high rpm is useless for proper 4×4 use
I reside in small town in fnq, only people that drive these are a few farmers and mostly posers, most of em look that clean n shiny, they’ve probably neva seen a dirt road. Besides, whenever your on the road and you see camo army vehicles drive past what are they driving ? Defenders and Merc Benz trucks, why not cruisers ?? up here if you dont have a landcruiser with a toolbox in the tray or your dogs, you havent made it in rural fnq. What Im sayin is, cruisers are status symbols.
paddymelon you are 100% right i met plenty of posers in FNQ in fact everywhere i went in QLD.
I come from the Goldfields in WA and more than anything you want reliabilty in the desert.
There are more cruisers per head of capita in the golfields region than anywhere else in this country, all of the mining companies here buy and lease them, pretty much says it all.
I have just put an order in for the new wagon loved the cab chassis had it on fraser island in QLD for a week and loved it.
Metal Glove Box – OK
Small plastic air cleaner off a prado for a V8 – no good at all Toyota. In the 08 bush fires in Victoria, DSE had real issues with constant blocking up of the air cleaner, dust getting past the air cleaner element.
Also there is a problem with the weight on the front end, apparently the axel is over weight if you mount a bull bar, winch and three blokes in the front seat. Sources say that even with front bucket seats, total passenger weight restriction are 80kg’s each (total of 160 kg’s)
Real 4X4 well if you have issues with a under rated front axel, cant mount a decent bull bar, winch, driving lights, CB aerials, tow hooks, Gling hot water shower, and go on a diet then at this stage you’ll need to look else where.
Gday Guys
i think the best 4×4 to be ever made would be this V8 diesel in a Land Rover Defender. Defender is all around coils ( Real 4×4) this is coil and leaf … even the Defender Ute is all round coils … im a Toyota Fan and Land Rover … if the two came together the outcome would be mind blowing : )
cheers
I dunno… I did some truly hellish tracks for work (fun! :))in the HJ60, all leaves, and unless I am mistaken it made it everywhere, was not bogged and did not bottom out… all on leaves. Spooky.
Just wondering if anyone has heard or seen anything about the new dash and airbags going into the 76 series wagon, i have just ordered one and am told that after mine is delivered in Aug the new ones will have these changes
Hi Stevo, i too have just recently ordered a new VDJ79R cab-chassis 79 series and it was ordered on 10 jun only to be told mine will be an august build and sept delivery.How come yours is a august delivery when mine was ordered in june.Where and when did you oreder yours mate.Mine was ordered at torque toyota brendale on brisbanes north.I am yet to have confirmation of the so called new updates to my ordered vehicle.Can anyone add to this info.
Cheers
Hi Mate i Ordered mine start of June and should be in Perth wa on 27 of this month, you might have the upgrades on your model, i only found out my delivery date start of July after alot of phone calls, the dealer has told me he hasnt even seen the pics for the upgraded model yet
one of the mags had picks this month: 4×4 Aus. I think.
I’m a grey nomad pulling a 2.4ton caravan and would say my 76 series S/W could not be better other than requirements of a long range tank. Lacking in most modern 4 x 4’s is rear leaf springs to which I have added an extra leaf and reset. Fuel economy exceptional and don’t need to mention the pulling power. I don’t really need four wheel drive, but no car manufacturer produces a designed car for towing unfortunately.
Last year on the west coast we were hit with 60 to 80 klm head winds to which my previous Prado looked quite ill, not to mention sagging rear coils – not a real tow vehicle. The 76 series could pull the QE2 uphill if required.
Bill
hi Guys & girls
We have been looking for something to upgrade the ‘98 hilux sr5 dual cab too for a while & I must say I think we have finally found it.. & I love our old girl she hasnt missed a beat in 11years so there was a high standard to follow!
we looked at the showpony that the 200 series is & decided that it is definitely not for us! The 76 series GXL Wagon on the other hand has us so excited that we both had to do the test drive!
Just chasing how people that are owning & driving this model are finding it now they have had it for a while? we r in far nth east wa & the dealer has told us they will need a few mths to get in the colour we want, so before we do the big jump can you guys shed some feedback?
Big Thanks to Bill for his post ;)
Thanks
Jacq
BTW Big thanks to Bill for his post :)
Can anyone advise – what RPM is the 76 Series GXL doing at 100kph in top gear?
hi there,
i just test drive a gxl wagon at 100km it was doin 2450rpm and at 110km it was doin 2650rpm. i think it needs a 6th gear, the other 5 gears are grate and very low go for towing and off road but the 6th gear would be grate on high way
cheers mick
Reckon you might be right, Mick
Interesting: the manual 5speed 1986 HJ60 did about 2050 revs at 100 and 2200 at 110, on a weight of 1900+kg the 2H diesel gave 9.5-10.5L/100km highway, up to 12.5L/100km fully laden into headwinds at worst.
When working on mines, and hiring 70 Series Utes I was amazed that it was 2500 at 110; when hiring a standard 100 Series wagon for the same purpose I also noted 2500 at 110. They featured lower overall gearing, which added to increasing weight means fuel consumption only goes up.
Cheers
Jack