Toyota Land Cruiser design review: ‘icon that the new Land Rover Defender will follow’

Peter Stevens, senior tutor at Royal College of Art when the undersigned was there Vehicle Design studied, once spoke the legendary words in one of his lessons: “If you want to go into the outback, take a Land Rover – if you also want to get back home, take a Landcruiser.”

Stevens – known for the design of the McLaren F1, among other things – despite his very British roots, did not hide the famous build quality of the Toyota 4×4. The Land Cruiser has become a true icon due to its robust engineering.

The three current Land Cruisers next to each other.

In that light, it must be an honor to be able to design a new Land Cruiser model, because the line-up of this name is iconic, with a celebrated design heritage. Determining the right direction for the next generation must also be as confrontational as it is complex.

The design team focused on it Form Follows Functionprinciple and opted for a disciplined and authentic design approach, which gives the styling a functional character. The horizontal lines run rearward along the bodywork, creating a feeling of strength and solidity, while a low, horizontal beltline gives the driver better all-round and off-road visibility and improves visibility for the occupants.

The latest iteration Toyota 4×4 is unmistakably a Land Cruiser “250” that is simple in shape, but also stands powerfully, with a timeless authenticity, on its wheels.

Looked at classic Land Cruiser models

Excess form has been removed and simplicity has been sought. It is clear that for the grand gestures, the proportional statement, we looked at the classic Land Cruiser models. As we get closer, even the smallest detail has been lovingly designed – typically Japanese. Graphic elements in the front bumper, lighting units and fender edges are almost isolated islands.

The front features a strong rectangular grille, tri-beam headlights and a low-set hood to improve forward visibility. The muscular wheel arches with bevelled edges and faceted edges all around, which extend slightly into the body, appear strong and voluminous. The rear has a simple taillight signature.

Such inserts, graphically demarcated elements and other details ensure that customers can customize their car to their own wishes. The design concept – a modern interpretation of an ancient legend – is clearly inspired not only aesthetically, but also conceptually by the new Land Rover Defender. The adaptability of the car in particular clearly plays a role. The graphic surfaces around the Defender – grille, roof, bumper inserts, side vent, wheels, fender edges, A-pillar insert and element with logo on the C-pillar – can all be customized. This allows the character of the Defender to be significantly changed. From a friendly 4×4 with a white roof and white wheels, to a tough all-terrain vehicle in black as you see below.

Designed for bespoke: space for customers’ own ideas

Rolls-Royce very nicely calls taking adaptability into account during the design process “designed for bespoke. For example, during the early design ideas, the fact that customers can customize various interior and exterior design elements according to their own ideas is taken into account. In their case, especially around the interior, woodwork and leather elements in door panels and dashboard.

No burr walnut dashboards and door panels for Toyota, but there are factory options such as stickers, matching or contrasting colors and materials. That looks good and there is a nice margin on it, too. The aftermarket can also take advantage of it, which creates a strong connection between the car and the owner – Toyota has already played that game quite successfully with the GT86.

The Land Cruiser has become a true icon as a name and model, due to its robust engineering. This new Land Cruiser design underlines this flawlessly and with a lot of flair. With this Land Cruiser you can easily go into the Outback. Moreover, you can now come home with it in style.