Upgraded Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series details firm

Homologation data for the upgraded 2023 Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series officially announced in May has surfaced online, revealing a higher 3510kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) across the workhorse range.

As we forecast back in July 2021, Toyota’s venerable LandCruiser ute, wagon and ‘Troopy’ range will receive a major update including an upgraded GVM in order to side-step the new ADR 85 pole side impact regulations that come into effect for light commercial vehicles from November 1.

Published yesterday on the federal government’s Road Vehicle Regulator database, the LC70’s new range-wide GVM is just 10kg clear of the 3500kg threshold that officially differentiates ‘medium’ goods vehicles from ‘light’ goods vehicles.

The 2023 Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series line-up’s new standardised GVM figure marks an increase of between 110kg and 450kg over the existing GVMs, including those of the single-cab ute (3400kg), double-cab ute (3300kg), five-door wagon (3060kg) and two-door Troop Carrier (3300-3330kg).

Exactly how Toyota has managed to up the GVM is yet to be confirmed and no kerb weights have yet been listed for any of the upgraded off-road workhorses, making it impossible to calculate their exact payloads.

However, based on current kerb weights, payload capacities should increase by the same amount for all variants including the single-cab (to 1330-1345kg), double-cab (1320-1335kg), wagon (1235-1245kg) and Troopy (1185-1255kg).

The homologation data also confirms the current 70 Series’ 3500kg braked towing capacity (750kg unbraked) will carry over, as will its sought-after 151kW 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8, matched exclusively to a five-speed manual transmission.

Indeed, while only an unchanged 3180mm wheelbase is listed on the RVR database, all key dimensions for all four LC70 body configurations are expected to continue unchanged.

Interestingly, however, both the Wagon and Troop Carrier appear to score an extra 60-82mm of ground clearance depending on the variant.

Importantly for the 70 Series’ many fleet buyers though, the Japanese brand has previously confirmed an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system with pedestrian and cyclist detection will majorly bolster the LC70’s lacklustre safety suite.

Only the single-cab LC70 ute comes with a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating – based on testing way back in 2016, when Toyota introduced a beefier ladder frame exclusively for the fleet-friendly two-door pick-up – and all other 70 Series models remain ‘unrated’ by the independent safety authority.

The latest update for what’s one of Toyota’s oldest and most iconic models (dating back to 1984) is confirmed for release in November – in line with the ADR 85 implementation.

However, Toyota Australia’s 70 Series order book remains closed and will remain so for at least another year because slower production and soaring demand has led to a waiting list that now stretches well into 2024.

All that makes it unclear which customers patiently waiting in the queue will get an existing model and which ones will get the upgraded model – and what they will pay.

Toyota has said it won’t ‘price-protect’ orders submitted after May 16, meaning anyone who placed a 70 Series order since then is likely to pay more due to the extra engineering and safety tech in MY23 vehicles, as well as inflation and the increased cost of materials, production and shipping.

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