When Storm Claudia unleashed its fury across the UK, one vehicle proved to be the perfect sanctuary from the chaos: the new Toyota Land Cruiser. On Friday, November 14, 2025, amidst torrential rain and violent winds, this iconic 4x4 demonstrated precisely why it has built a seven-decade reputation for being indomitable.
Conquering Apocalyptic Conditions
Journalist Gareth Butterfield found his test schedule aligning perfectly with the weather gods for once. The arrival of the bright blue Land Cruiser coincided with the storm, presenting a real-world trial far beyond any manufactured off-road course. A necessary 40-minute rural journey from Buxton to Ashbourne along the A515 transformed into an obstacle course of surface spray, deep floodwater, submerged potholes, and fallen branches.
Where such conditions would be an ordeal in most vehicles, Butterfield reports the Land Cruiser turned it into "a bit of a hoot." The SUV, drawing on 70 years of proven ancestry as a desert, agricultural, and expedition workhorse, treated the flooded British Tarmac with utter disdain. Its capability in navigating huge, swirling puddles was reportedly startling, inspiring a feeling of near-invincibility.
More Than Just a Tractor
Despite its rugged ladder-frame chassis and purposeful design, the Land Cruiser is said to be surprisingly civilised on the road. The 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, while less refined than modern hybrid or electric powertrains, is well-insulated and deemed "the best tool for the job." The driving experience is confident, masking its considerable bulk effectively until you need to park in a standard British space.
The interior of the high-spec test model offered relative luxury. It featured heated and ventilated, very comfortable front seats, large, responsive screens, and a plethora of physical buttons. A brilliant 360-degree camera system aids visibility, and the seven-seat version boasts electrically rising rear seats. The cabin is packed with technology, allowing the vehicle to manage most off-road situations automatically, though the plastics are decidedly functional and built-for-purpose.
The Price of Invincibility
All this formidable capability and technology comes at a cost. The Land Cruiser starts at around £80,000, and it is noted that specing a more basic model is surprisingly difficult. For those needing pure utility, a commercial version is available from approximately £50,000 plus VAT.
Space in the rear is slightly compromised by a high floor, and while boot space is generous, it vanishes entirely if you opt for the third row of seats. These are the trade-offs for its unstoppable character.
In conclusion, after a long wait for a new model in the UK, this Land Cruiser completely lives up to its legendary name. On a hideous autumn day, navigating hazard-laden roads, it presented itself as the ultimate tool for the job. It is, as the review states, simply superb.
