Climb up into the cabin – and yes, this is one of those SUVs that require a bit of a climb and make you thankful for the side steps – and things are a magnitude more modern than in the outgoing car. No wonder, since that could trace its roots back to 2009.
There’s a pair of 12.3in screens (cars in lower trims will get smaller versions) and generally a fresh feel. You wouldn’t call it luxurious, but nor does it feel cheap or unpleasant, just appropriately utilitarian.
Toyota says it was important to maintain buttons for all the essential functions, so that you can still operate them when wearing gloves or being jostled off road. There’s a proper ‘shove it backwards and forwards’ lever for the gearbox as well. That’s what we like to see.
Well, almost. There are more than a few blank switches, and I wish they had been put to use for turning off the assorted nagging safety systems. They didn’t bother me too much on my drive, but then Toyota’s lane keeping assistance is better than most, I drove on mostly clearly signed national speed limit roads and I don’t think the driver monitoring was working on these pre-production cars. Turning them off requires some menu-diving.
Otherwise, the multimedia is Toyota’s usual unit, which is okay, although switching between smartphone mirroring and the native interface is too clunky.
The digital gauge cluster, too, is familiar from other Toyotas, and is nicely clear and configurable, if a bit fiddly to adjust.
Having grown slightly in length, the Land Cruiser offers even more generous rear seat space and an optional third row. The latter is the usual fare: useful for kids or a trip to the pub but no more, and boot space is minimal with those two seats up.
