Toyota Land Cruiser (2009-2021) review

This is where the Land Cruiser’s appeal is quickly undone. Visibility out is good, largely thanks to a redesigned bonnet. But inside, the cabin feels antiquated and cheap, yet long-lasting.

It’s just all packaged in a button-frenzied manner, perfect when you’ve been working outdoors and you’ve a pair of chunky gloves on, but not very pretty. The switches could be more logical though. Some are controlled on the steering wheel, others are hidden away behind it, and yet more are low down on the centre dash.

Toyota’s 'Touch 2' system houses all manner of functions, including data from the off-road systems as well as the sat nav and controls for the 14-speaker stereo. It’s a good system, and its inclusion helps soften the throat-tightening £58,000 blow on the spec sheet. There's also a desert-spec air-con system and an incredibly efficient fridge in the centre console, both of which will have no trouble keeping all seven passengers and your pork pies cool in the middle of the Sahara. 

No matter how good the fridge is, you can't deny a Disco’s set-up is far clearer, and the rest of the Land Rover’s interior better. Overall, it simply feels more modern and more worthy of your money.

The furthest most seats are proper jobs with headrests and everything. If you're a fully-grown adult, you won't want to be back there for too long, even if the leg room has more than doubled compared to the previous generation Land Cruiser but you sacrifice boot space when they're up. Seats all down, you've got a monstrous 1,943 litres to play with.