​Roy Woodcock found Toyota’s brand new Land Cruiser 4x4 just the job for tackling the recent snow blizzards, which turned local roads into skating rinks . . .

The Land Cruiser

Anyone who saw the recent Top Gear Challenge, in which Clarkson and Co drove from the heart of Bolivia to the coast of Chile, will know why Toyota’s Land Cruiser has built a formidable reputation around the world for its ability to take even the most extreme conditions in its stride (and anyone who hasn’t should check the amazing footage on YouTube).

The trio had each been given a maximum of just £3,500 to buy a 4x4 to tackle everything from impenetrable rainforest to the terrifying sheer drops of the infamous Death Road along the way, and Richard Hammond put his faith in a 1974 Land Cruiser.

That the Toyota, the oldest of three vehicles used, kept going until literally the last few moments is testimony to the 4x4’s unrivalled toughness and durability in a heritage that spans six decades.

So, the launch of an all-new Land Cruiser is a particularly significant event and Toyota has ensured its new model builds on the pedigree of its ancestors. It is equipped with a raft of new and advanced handling and driver assistance systems that take its off-road capabilities to new heights. At the same time, it has been engineered for greater poise, comfort and performance when driving on-road.

In the UK, the new Land Cruiser is offered as a five-door model powered by a revised 171bhp 3.0-litre D-4D engine, matched to a five-speed automatic transmission. Three equipment grades are offered – LC3, LC4 and LC5 – with seven seats fitted as standard on all but the entry-level version (on which third row seats are an option). The first glimpses of the new model were seen in showrooms just before Christmas, with on-the-road prices range from £29,795 to £44,795.

I tested a top-of-the-range version during the recent blizzard conditions and although perhaps not as tough as the Top Gear escapade, the conditions were challenging enough.

The Land Cruiser passed with flying colours. I’ve never felt as safe and secure in such treacherous conditions.

Slightly larger than its predecessor, the styling combines the model’s traditionally robust looks with design cues that were first introduced on the larger Land Cruiser V8. There’s more space inside the cabin, with the third-row seats being raised or folded flat at the touch of a button – particularly useful when playing your version of Supermarket Sweep! The usable loadspace has been significantly increased and a new rear glass hatch allows items to be loaded without having to open the full side-hinged tailgate – ideal for tight parking places.

There is nothing spartan about life on board: 17-inch alloys, roof rails, fog lamps, climate control, cruise control, Bluetooth and Smart Entry and Start system are all part of the entry-level specification.

LC4 models add triple-zone climate control, 18-inch wheels, powered folding third-row seats, leather upholstery, electrically-adjustable heated front seats, dusk-sensing headlights, auto-dimming rear-view mirrors, rear parking monitor, 17-speaker JBL premium audio package and a hard disc drive navigation system with a 10GB sound library. LC5 models come with adaptive variable suspension with active height control, sunroof, crawl control, multi-terrain monitor, steering angle display, multi-terrain select and a rear seat entertainment system for DVD playback and gaming.

I was particularly impressed by the multi-terrain monitor. We’ve all grown used to seeing rear-view cameras to aid parking on top-end cars, but here, the additional front and side view cameras, which come into play when the car comes to a standstill, give the driver real-time views of areas immediately around the vehicle that can’t be seen from the wheel. It made getting into my driveway, with fences, conifers and ice to deal with, a dream!