Five towing alternatives to a Toyota LandCruiser
Pricey V8 LandCruiser out of reach? Here are five other suitable options for towing a big caravanWith V8 grunt out of the equation for the upcoming Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, and prices for the outgoing 200 Series often criminally overpriced, you might be wondering if it’s time to look elsewhere when it comes to a suitable vehicle to haul your shiny new caravan...
Sure, the V8 Toyota LandCruiser is a go-almost-anywhere, tow-almost-anything heavy-duty 4x4 icon – heck, maybe even a rite of passage – for fair-dinkum Aussie off-roaders, load-luggers and remote residents.
But it’s not the be-all, end-all SUV for rock-hopping adventure-seekers or people who just need to tow a big caravan, boat or horse float...
Nissan Patrol
If you’re still not convinced you can live without a huge V8-powered off-road SUV, the Nissan Patrol might be for you.
In 2021, there are only two grades to choose from – Ti (from $79K) and the flagship Ti-L (from $93K) – both powered by a lusty 298kW/560Nm 5.6-litre petrol V8 offering surprisingly decent fuel economy.
With a healthy off-road legacy, all the creature-comfort features you’d expect at this price and LandCruiser rivalling towing capacity, this is a lot of metal for your money.
Nissan Patrol towing capacity: 3500kg
Land Rover Defender
Another iconic nameplate, the British (and brutish) Land Rover Defender was completely reborn in 2020, bringing loads more technology, safety and refinement.
Prices range from just over $70,000 and top out a bit over $140K, depending on which body type, trim grade and powertrain you choose.
For those bitter at Toyota for axing its big V8-powered SUV, the Defender can even be had with a chunky supercharged 5.0-litre V8 slamming down 386kW, although if it’ll cost you around $200K.
Land Rover Defender towing capacity: 3500kg
Ford Everest
Built on the same platform as the Ford Ranger, carsales’ Best Dual-Cab 4x4 Ute, the Ford Everest is a seven-seat off-road SUV with just as much off-road capability as its dual-cab sibling, and it's almost as good at towing big vans.
Pricing starts from $50,000 and tops out at around 73K, and there’s the choice of 157kW 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder and 132kW 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel powerplants (sorry, no V8).
Available in both rear-drive and four-wheel drive configurations, the Everest is Ford’s best-selling SUV and can be had in more than 10 combinations of trims and drivetrains.
Ford Everest towing capacity: 3100kg
Toyota Prado
Even though it’s only a little smaller and less powerful, many seem to sell short the Toyota Prado as just another family hauler, forgetting just how capable it is off-road. It's also a handy tow vehicle with its latest three tonne tow rating.
The ‘son-of-LandCruiser’ arrived in the mid-1990s and today’s Prado line-up range is powered exclusively by a 150kW/500Nm 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel.
It's as capable off-road as it is on the soccer run, with proper low-range ratios, plenty of ground clearance, seven seats and plenty of room on board for kids, camping gear and anything in between.
Toyota Prado towing capacity: 3000kg
LDV D90
With sharp drive-away pricing across it range, Chinese car-maker LDV is swiftly making a name for itself with Aussie buyers and its first SUV, the LDV D90, is gaining the momentum it deserves.
Looking pretty smart and priced from just $35,990, the LDV D90 is available in both rear-drive and four-wheel drive forms, and with the choice of bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel (160kW/480Nm) and 2.0-litre four-pot petrol (165kW/350Nm) engines.
Based on the same rugged ladder frame as the 3000kg tow rated LDV T60 ute, the seven-seat D90 SUV comes with all the latest safety and driver assistance gear, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and more.
While it's not a proper LandCruiser competitor, with off-road hardware such as a Borg Warner two-speed transfer case, 210mm of ground clearance, a 550mm wading depth and various 4WD settings, the flagship D90 Executive has a lot to offer for $47,990 – including a five-year/130,000km warranty.
LDV D90 towing capacity: 3100kg
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