Toyota, like every other car manufacturer, has been plagued with supply issues but its legendary Land Cruiser has been particularly badly hit. Now it's back in supply.
Last year Japanese customers were told it would take up to four years to take delivery of the latest version of the Land Cruiser. Toyota even went so far as to require buyers to sign a contract saying they would not sell on or export their vehicles for a mandatory period of twelve months.
This was to prevent shrewd investors from ordering the vehicle and then turning it over for an immediate profit.
Toyota appears to have been caught in a perfect storm of Covid-related supply issues, factory closures and huge demand for the new Land Cruiser. Toyota Ireland was among the importers hit by the global shortages that have resulted. Irish customers were being told last year that it would be around 2023 before their vehicles arrived.
However, Ireland is due to get limited supplies of the revised Land Cruiser - announced in September last year - next month. The vehicle has been perennially popular as a working vehicle for farmers and the self-employed - and even some suburban customers who see the passenger version as a statement.
There are three versions coming, the GX Commercial (in long and short wheelbase configuration) and the five-seater Business.
The long-wheelbase GX Commercial variant has 9" Display, Apple CarPlay / Android Auto, 17" silver alloy wheels, full spare wheel, rear view camera, cruise control, push-button start, smart entry, and the full Toyota Safety Sense package of safety measures on its specification list.
The Business version is the only five-seater in the segment and gets three seats in the back row, and heated driver and front passenger seats.
The long wheelbase Commercial comes in from €48,465, the short wheelbase commercial at €47,110, while the Business comes in from €68,613. This price excludes VAT which, when added on, takes the price up to around €85,000.
Engines are diesel only, with a 2.8 litre capacity. All versions have automatic transmission and full-time four wheel drive.
