Toyota has highlighted what could become the most popular member of the Land Cruiser family by showcasing a three-door, short-wheelbase (SWB) Land Cruiser 70 Series in a video, featuring hardtop, commercial, and soft-top convertible variants.

Originally introduced in 1984 as a heavy-duty off-roader for commercial and extreme-duty applications, the Land Cruiser 70 Series remains in production today with updated powertrains, safety, and chassis refinements while retaining its renowned durability and off-road capability. Although the refreshed model returned to Japan for the 2024 model year, this three-door SWB version remains exclusive to export markets.

The SWB lineup includes a basic commercial hardtop fitted with steel wheels, a snorkel, manual windows, and vinyl upholstery. A more premium hardtop variant adds wider fenders, alloy wheels, power windows, an infotainment system, and a more upscale interior.

Completing the trio is the soft-top convertible, featuring a fold-down windshield designed with agricultural users in mind. Toyota Land Cruiser Chief Engineer Masaya Uchiyama explains that the setup allows ranch workers to throw lassos directly from a moving vehicle. It also comes equipped with a roll-over protection structure and rear side-facing seats.

The SWB model rides on a 2310 mm wheelbase, making it significantly shorter than the standard five-door version. Combined with its ladder-frame chassis, live axles, and four-wheel-drive system, the compact footprint gives it excellent maneuverability, making it popular with police forces, ranchers, and off-road enthusiasts.

Depending on the market, the SWB Land Cruiser is offered with either a naturally aspirated 4.2-liter diesel engine producing 131 PS paired with a five-speed manual transmission, or a 4.0-liter V6 gasoline engine delivering 231 PS mated to a six-speed automatic.

According to Land Cruiser Chief Engineer Masaya Uchiyama, around 90 percent of all short-wheelbase 70 Series production will be exported to Middle Eastern markets, with the remainder heading to select countries in South America and Asia. While he expressed interest in offering the model in Japan, Toyota currently has no plans to add it to the domestic lineup.

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