NEEDING no introduction is the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series. Seemingly around since the dawn of time and probably still around after the apocalypse, its familiar and utilitarian shape is a study in function defining form.

Where Land Rover failed to keep its similarly retro Defender going after the end of 2016 as emissions and safety requirements got the better of it, Toyota managed to extend the already long-lived 70 Series lifespan with a five-star ANCAP crash-test rating for the single-cab tested here plus Euro 5 pollution prevention and electronic stability control across the range.

In addition to being a favourite on mine sites, the 70 Series is synonymous with life in Australia’s rural and outback areas but also popular as a base for elaborate continent-conquering grey nomad setups. It has a reputation for being mighty capable but a pig to drive.

We took a good look at the latter.

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