Goodbye V8 – Big update for the Toyota Land Cruiser in South Africa

Toyota has announced a comprehensive update to the Land Cruiser 70 Series range in South Africa.

The Land Cruiser (LC) series, which is available as a station wagon, single cab, and double cab, serves as a more rugged alternative to the brand’s Hilux bakkie, making it a popular solution for motorists looking for a dependable 4×4.

For the 2026 model year, Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has improved the vehicle’s after-sale support and simplified the model range.

It has also expanded the availability of the brand’s tried-and-trusted 2.8-litre GD turbocharged diesel engine, aligning the local roster with Toyota’s global shift towards smaller, more efficient engines.

What’s new for the Toyota Land Cruiser

First and foremost, Toyota has introduced a standard service plan across the LC 70 Series range.

“This addition reinforces Toyota’s commitment to delivering a worry-free ownership experience, particularly for customers operating in demanding environments where reliability and cost predictability are critical.”

The new plan covers up to 9 services or 90,000km for most derivatives. However, the 4.2-litre diesel models can benefit from up to 18 services over the same mileage period due to their shorter service intervals.

All of this is in addition to TSAM’s standard 3-year/100,000km warranty.

The update has also greatly simplified the LC stable in an effort to streamline the selection for consumers while improving the accessibility of the company’s modern powertrains.

One important change is that the 4.5-litre V8 diesel engine has been discontinued for the series’ pick up models, as the production of these units concluded last year.

In its place, Toyota has expanded the number of derivatives with the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine – the same powertrain found in many of the brand’s off-road vehicles.

The 2.8-litre GD block has been met with positive feedback from consumers demanding a more fuel-efficient and refined driving experience.

Another new option is a 2.8-litre 79 Double Cab with a five-speed manual gearbox, offering a combination of efficiency, control, and durability.

As things currently stand, the LC 70 Series is available with the following engines:

• 4.0-litre V6 petrol – 170kW/360Nm
• 4.2-litre diesel – 96kW/285Nm
• 2.8-litre turbo-diesel – 150kW/450Nm OR 150kW/500Nm

Note that the torque output for the 2.8-litre units depends on the transmission, as the manual has 450Nm while the automatic has 500Nm.

Pricing

Below is the updated pricing and model range for the Toyota LC 79 bakkie series and the LC 76 and 78 Station Wagon series:

• Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Single Cab 4.0 Petrol 5MT – R840,900
• Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Single Cab 4.2 Diesel 5MT – R910,600
• Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab 4.0 Petrol 5MT – R949,800
• Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Single Cab 2.8 GD-6 Diesel 5MT – R974,300
• Toyota Land Cruiser 78 Station Wagon 4.2 Diesel 5MT – R988,800
• Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Single Cab 2.8 GD-6 Diesel 6AT – R1,007,600
• Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab 4.2 Diesel 5MT – R1,011,500
• Toyota Land Cruiser 76 Station Wagon 2.8 GD-6 Diesel 5MT – R1,065,300
• Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab 2.8 GD-6 Diesel 5MT – R1,078,000
• Toyota Land Cruiser 76 Station Wagon 2.8 GD-6 Diesel 6AT – R1,098,400
• Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab 2.8 GD-6 Diesel 6AT – R1,108,400
• Toyota Land Cruiser 76 Station Wagon 2.8 GD-6 VX Diesel 6AT – R1,199,000

All Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series models are now sold with a 3-year/100,000km warranty and a standard 100,000km service plan.

Toyota Land Cruiser 76

Toyota Land Cruiser 79