USED CAR TEST: The hardy adventurer

YOU get vehicles that are unbreakable, and then you get really, really unbreakable vehicles. The Toyota Land Cruiser 70 station wagon is one of those rare examples of a vehicle that can run forever and will almost never let you down. In many respects it has given new meaning to the words durable and capable.

Our pre-owned vehicle for this week comes in the form of a 2009 Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Station wagon with a mere 13000km on the clock. This vehicle is fitted with an off-road bumper onto which a winch can be fitted, while the bumper also improves the approach angle of the vehicle. Another extra is a tow bar and there are slightly tinted windows to help keep you cool on those hot summer days in the bush.

Being a vehicle for the ultimate adventurer, one would assume that when buying this model used it will have some scratches, but this is not the case at all. It looks as good as new and the exterior of the vehicle is without a mark, which includes the good looking alloy wheels. The design of the Land Cruiser shows that it does not pretend to be something that it is not. The box shape with short overhangs tells you that this vehicle is built to go where others can only wish to go.

The interior is in even better condition. Standard equipment includes electric windows, central locking, aircon, power steering and a front-loading CD-player to make that adventure a little more comfortable. The seats look like they were taken from a new vehicle and that also goes for the floor carpets.

What sets the Land Cruiser 70 station wagon apart from its rivals when it comes to extreme off-road driving are two diff-locks (one in front and another on the rear ), where most other off-road vehicles only have one and a low range transfer box. There are few places where the Land Cruiser cannot go, and if it can’t go there you can assume that the only way to get there is by air.

Under the bonnet is not only one of the best engines in a Toyota ever, but it is one of the strongest and most durable engines on offer in the world. The 4.2l normally aspirated diesel engine is more than happy to play workhorse or to be asked to take you up a steep rocky mountain. Power delivery is 96kW and 285Nm and this is transferred to the wheels using a five-speed manual transmission.

Model: 2009 Toyota Land Cruiser 70 4.2 diesel station wagon

Price: R395 950

Mileage: 13 000km

Colour: White

Dealer: Contact Barloworld Toyota Centurion 012 641 7000