Power, strength and refinement: Land Cruiser Commercial adopts new diesel 48V powertrain

• New powertrain provides smoother, quieter and more comfortable performance, on-road and off
• No compromise in rugged, go-anywhere performance, including 700mm wading depth
• Land Cruiser Commercial produced by Toyota Manufacturing UK specialist conversion team
• Available to order now, CV on-the-road price £54,425

The Land Cruiser Commercial adopts Toyota’s 2.8-litre diesel 48V powertrain for 2026, gaining smoother, quieter and more comfortable performance in all driving conditions. These qualities are delivered with no reduction in the model’s ability to deliver the strength and go-anywhere capabilities that are synonymous with the Land Cruiser name – together with practical load-carrying capacity.

The new model, part of the wide-ranging Toyota Professional light commercial vehicle range, is available to order now, with a commercial vehicle on-the-road price of £54,425 (OTR £65,230 including VAT). Customer deliveries are expected from June 2026.

Toyota’s diesel 48V system 

The diesel 48V system, already successfully deployed in the Land Cruiser passenger vehicle and Hilux pick-up, combines the model’s established 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine and eight-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission with an electric motor-generator, lithium-ion hybrid battery and a DC-DC power converter.  These are designed and positioned to operate in the kind of harsh environments the Land Cruiser Commercial encounters in day-to-day use. This includes maintaining its ability to wade through water up to 700mm deep.

Electric motor-generator 

The electric motor-generator – a permanent magnet synchronous type unit – is driven by the engine and in turn charges the lithium-ion battery. It brings multiple benefits to the driving experience, both on-road and off. 

It provides a regeneration function, recovering energy every time the driver comes off the throttle using engine braking. This is then used to provide the engine’s stop-start function and support acceleration. It improves efficiency, makes driving easier and produces natural-feeling deceleration. In on-road driving, acceleration when pulling away and deceleration are smooth and linear, contributing to a more composed and comfortable ride. 

On rougher, off-road surfaces, the motor-generator supports the vehicle’s ability to tackle obstacles. 

Stop-start performance 

The 48V system enables quicker and quieter engine stop-start performance with less shock, making for an easier and more comfortable drive in traffic. As the motor-generator is always connected, there is less delay in immediate engine restarts after stopping. It also allows for restarts at high engine speeds. 

Lithium-ion hybrid battery 

The 48V lithium-ion hybrid battery has 13 cells and a 4.3Ah capacity. Weighing just 7.6kg, it has been designed with compact internal components to allow for integration beneath a revised deck board layout, helping to limit the impact on overall load space.

When fully charged, it can supply up to an additional 12kW of power and 65Nm of torque to the powertrain at start-off. 

Two-arm belt-tensioner 

The motor-generator operates with two-arm belt tensioner which has been designed specifically for use in diesel engine vehicles and to meet the demands of rough-road driving. As well as ensuring the required the level of belt tension, it also provides restart assistance and improved acceleration response. Noise and vibration performance is on par with petrol engine vehicles. 

Land Cruiser Commercial – made in the UK

The Land Cruiser Commercial is produced by a specialist conversion team at Toyota Manufacturing UK’s Burnaston plant in Derbyshire. The process includes removing the rear seats, rendering the rear opaque with interior steel panel inserts and installing a full-height metal bulkhead with a mesh top section.

The load space is practical and hard-wearing with an edge-to-edge floor tray. It measures 990mm high [subject to final figures], 1,685mm long and a maximum 1,286mm wide, giving a cargo capacity (VDA measurement) of up to 2,000 litres. Maximum payload is 730kg. The Land Cruiser Commercial can also tow loads up to 3.5 tonnes.

Model range

The range comprises a single model, a five-door, long wheelbase version. The standard specification includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a power back door with opening window hatch, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, electronic parking brake and automatic dual-zone air conditioning. The multimedia system includes a nine-inch touchscreen and wireless smartphone integration with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The vehicle also comes equipped with a comprehensive Toyota Safety Sense package of safety and driving assistance systems.

ENDS