2015 Toyota Land Cruiser gets a raft of improvements including new 2.8-litre D-4D engine

Toyota has had a play with the Land Cruiser for 2015, with new models, more equipment and a new, more efficient, 2.8-litre D-4D engine.

The Toyota Land Cruiser is an old-fashioned SUV, and all the better for it. And although it does make a nod towards the refinements owners of modern SUVs want, its forte is its unbreakable ability to tow and traverse rugged terrain; it makes no pretence of being a luxury on-road SUV.

That said, it’s a very nice place to be once you’re used to its somewhat old-fashioned dynamics, and the raft of changes Toyota has made to the Land Cruiser for 2015 make it more appealing still.

Top of the list is a new, more efficient, 2.8 litre D-D4 diesel engine – replacing the old 3,0 litre lump – which is said to improve drivability with better torque delivery and better economy.

With 174bhp, the Land Cruiser won’t win many traffic light Grands Prix, but with 309lb/ft of torque on offer – and an extra 22lb/ft if you opt for the new six-speed auto – it’s enough to do what it’s built for. It also means official economy of an impressive (although unlikely to be seen in the real world) 39.2mpg.

There’s extra equipment too, with the Active trim now getting DAB, with optional Toyota Touch 2 Go, leather seats and triple-zone Climate on the five-door models.

Icon trim adds Toyota Touch 2 Go as standard, and the Invincible trim gets the Safety Pack as standard which includes Adaptive Cruise, Pre-Crash, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitoring and Multi Terrain Monitor.

Also on offer is a seven-seat Active grade five-door, seven seat Land Cruiser with either manual or auto box.

The 2015 Land Cruiser goes on sale in Toyota’s UK showrooms on 1 July, costing from £35,895 for the 3-door Active rising to £54,895 for the Invincible seven-seat auto,