Safety first? 2023 Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series sidesteps new safety requirements with change in classification

Toyota Australia’s LandCruiser 70 Series will sidestep a recently-introduced safety requirement by changing its classification, keeping the long-running model in local showrooms a little while longer.

Now classed as an “NB1 – Medium Goods Vehicle”, the LandCruiser 70 Series is able to elude the Australian Design Rule (ADR) 85 that last year forced the Nissan GT-R, Mitsubishi Mirage, Alpine A110 and others to withdraw.

ADR 85 mandates a certain level of side-impact protection in vehicles, with the rule coming into effect for passenger cars and SUVs from November 2021, and for sub-3500kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) light-commercial vehicles from November 2022.

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However, the LandCruiser 70 Series’ new classification – thanks to a boost in GVM to 3510kg – will allow the ageing model that first landed in 1984 to soldier on without running afoul of the new safety requirements.

Exactly how Toyota managed to boost GVM is still unclear, but the new figure applies to all body styles including single-cab ute, double-cab ute, five-door wagon and two-door Troop Carrier (known colloquially as ‘Troopy’).

All 2023 Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series variants are also powered by a carryover 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8, which punches out 151kW/430Nm to all four wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox.

While the LandCruiser 70 Series has been on sale for nearly 40 years in Australia, Toyota has subsequently updated the model with tech and safety upgrades where it can, but it still falls short of the modern design and active safety afforded to models like the LandCruiser 300 Series and even HiLux workhorse.

Despite its outdated underpinnings, the LandCrusier 70 Series has still proven extremely popular in Australia, with year-to-date sales to the end of August pegged at 8077 units – a 7.9 per cent increase over the same period in 2021.

This puts the LandCruiser 70 Series ahead of models like the Nissan Navara (8006) and runout Volkswagen Amarok (2643), while also challenging the supply-constrained LandCruiser 300 Series (8280) for position.

In fact, the LandCruiser 70 Series is Toyota Australia’s seventh most popular model this year, behind the HiLux, Corolla, RAV4, Prado, Kluger and LC300, outpacing even the Camry, Yaris, HiAce, Yaris Cross and C-HR.

Toyota Australia is expected to announce full details on its 2023 LandCruiser 70 Series later this month, including pricing and specifications, but for reference, the current car kicks off from $67,400 before on-road costs for the Workmate ute.

Topping the full-time range is the GXL Troop Carrier positioned at $74,550, while a GXL 70th Anniversary edition was also available last year for $78,500 to celebrate – you guessed it – the nameplate’s 70th birthday.

Announced back in May, Toyota is promising the addition of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection for the model 2023 LandCruiser 70 Series.

Toyota Australia vice president of sales, marketing and franchise operations Sean Hanley said at the time: “The upcoming changes are designed to ensure that the legendary LandCruiser 70 Series will continue to be available for the foreseeable future in the Australian market.

“The increase in GVM is sure to appeal to owners who use the 70 Series as a tool of trade or are seeking an even greater ability as a heavy duty recreational off roader,” he said.

“Combined with heavy-duty suspension and 3,500kg towing capacity, these upgrades will enhance the versatility and rugged reputation for this legendary vehicle.”