This Classic ’80s Toyota 4×4 Is Still Alive and Kicking and It Still Makes Us Drool

The FJ70 continues proving that newer isn’t always better.

Close-up of a silver Toyota Land Cruiser front grille and bumper with two people in cowboy hats leaning on a fence in the background.

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Updated 59 minutes ago

Toyota just once again proved why the Australians get all the cool stuff. The Japanese automaker relaunched the production of its beloved Land Cruiser Series 70 after a temporary hiatus.

And as usual, it has us drooling. Toyota had to suspend production of its Series 70 due to evolving regulations in Australia. But now, Toyota was able to make it compliant. And, it’s back in action, making us lust over and want it even more.

Back from the dead, again

Red Toyota Land Cruiser pickup truck with snorkel driving off-road on a dirt trail. — Toyota relaunched its Land Cruiser Series 70 in Australia after a temporary suspension due to changing federal regulations.

Back in early 2025, Toyota stopped the sale of its old-school FJ70 after Australia updated its emissions regulations. Specifically, for the diesel model.

Now, it’s back. The automaker reengineered the platform to house a new urea injection system, complete with a 20-liter AdBlue tank. So, it’s now able to pass the same Euro 6d emissions rules that Australia replicates. There were, however, some notable omissions.

Center console of a Toyota Land Cruiser showing gear shifters, climate controls, and touchscreen infotainment system. — The Series 70 is an absolute time capsule from the ’80s that you can get new from a Toyota dealer.

One, Australians will be disappointed to learn that the manual transmission is no longer available. At least, for now.

Additionally, the heavy duty Troopcarrier variant no longer sports a larger fuel tank for extra long-distance travel (probably for traversing Australia’s vast desert land).

The latter omission is likely due to the addition of the AdBlue tank.

Dark gray Toyota Land Cruiser parked on dry terrain with two blue and gray tents in the background. — While the modernized Series 70 isn’t new, it keeps reminding us of an all-too-common automotive fantasy, or one where cars like the FJ70 are still made new today.

While all of this sounds as exciting as a bucket of spackle, it reminds us of how darn lucky Australia is. To be able to get a new version of a Land Cruiser from a beloved and bygone era? It’s a concept that the rest of us can only dream of.

There are a ton of reasons as to why someone may be interested in the latest Land Cruisers. But there are tons more going for the Series 70.

What’s old is made new again

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Firstly, it’s an ’80s Land Cruiser. And Toyota’s only updated and modified it to meet today’s minimum regulatory requirements. The FJ70 arguably comes from an era when Toyota was really at its peak, engineering some of the toughest, most reliable and most durable automobiles in all the land.

While North America didn’t specifically get the FJ70, we still got very close with the FJ60. And the FJ60 is one of the Land Cruiser holy grails in terms of collectability. Even among active four-wheeling fans.

Interior of a right-hand drive Toyota Land Cruiser with blue fabric seats and a touchscreen display. — The Series 70 is a living case of the premise that sometimes, old tech is best tech.

And that’s all down to their simple, rugged and brickhouse reliable build quality and engineering.

Moreso, in hindsight, the ’80s was an era when Asian and European carmakers arguably built some of their best vehicles. Automakers then designed and engineered vehicles with quality, longevity and serviceability in mind.

Red Toyota Land Cruiser splashing muddy water on a dirt road in a dry, shrub-filled landscape. — Every one of us here at the GP Motoring desk would rock the hell out of a Series 70.

They also leveraged old-school approach of building things to last while incorporating modern and emerging technologies.

The FJ70 literally embodies the superlative automotive equivalent of “they don’t build them like they used to.” It’s also the same category where other iconic and classic Mercedes-Benzes, BMWs, Porsches, Hondas, and other favorites land.

Could you imagine how crazy I’d go if Mercedes-Benz started making the W126 again, but with modern appointments? One can only dream, and the Series 70 is one of those ultra rare dreams come true.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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