2022 Toyota LandCruiser Series 70 Update Confirmed: 37-Year-Old Workhorse LC70 Gets Another Update This Year
The LandCruiser 70 series was updated in 2017 with another update expected in 2022.
Toyota's LandCruiser 70 Series will be around for a while longer, but there's evidence that an upgrade for the aging workhorse is imminent.
Toyota head of sales and marketing Sean Hanley confirmed the facelifted 70 series - and several other new Toyota models - in a release stating the brand's sales success in 2021.
“We will refresh our existing lineup with an updated RAV4 lineup earlier this year, the Corolla Cross SUV and second-generation GR86 sports car in the second half, an update to the 70 Series workhorse, and announce launch dates for our first BEV, the bZ4X SUV.” , - he said.
The timing and specifics of the update are unclear at this stage, with a Toyota Australia spokesperson only confirming that it will arrive at some point in 2022.
"Toyota Australia will continue to update the well-selling LC70 with further updates in 2022, details on this will be released closer to the launch of this car," they said.
One likely reason for the update is that the LandCruiser 70 Series does not currently comply with the new Australian design rules for side impact protection.
The new regulations (ADR 85/00) are designed to reduce the severity of serious injuries and reduce fatalities in side impacts with stationary objects such as poles and trees.
While the deadline for passenger cars and SUVs to comply with the new ADR was November 1, 2021, light commercial vehicles such as the LC 70 series have until November 2022 to comply with the rule.
It is understood that the LandCruiser 70 Series will be updated well ahead of the November 2022 deadline.
Toyota has yet to reveal what mechanical changes it will make to the LandCruiser 70 Series to keep it on sale. The changes are expected to be applied to single cab, double cab, four-door van and Troop Carrier variants.
The single-cab version of the iconic SUV was updated in 2017 with new safety features including a larger and stiffer frame, more airbags, new front seats and updated body panels to ensure a five-star ANCAP safety rating.
Single cab 70 Series machines are favored by large mining fleets, many of which insist on a five-star utility vehicle rating.
The five-star rating only applies to the single cab bodywork and all other options are unrated.
Although it has been on sale since 1984, albeit with updates along the way, the 70 series is still selling well in its twilight years.
In 2021, Toyota sold 13,981 of the 70 Series, making it the 17 Series.th best selling model in Australia last year. It outsold the just launched LandCruiser 300 series and the outgoing 200 series, as well as popular models such as the Nissan X-Trail, Hyundai Kona and Subaru Forester.
