In an era of screen-filled dashboards, Toyota continues to offer a stripped-back, short-wheelbase Land Cruiser 70 in a handful of export markets, a boxy three-door built around utility rather than comfort.
- The convertible three-door is priced at roughly $49,000 and includes a removable roof.
- Buyers can choose between a 129-horsepower diesel inline-six and a gasoline V6 rated near 228 horsepower.
- Most convertible examples are shipped to the Middle East, with a smaller share going to South Asia.
A Version That Rarely Gets Noticed
Toyota reintroduced the Series 70 for select export markets a few years ago, and most of the interest went to the long-wheelbase five-door wagon and the pickup. Those markets include Australia, Africa, South America and parts of South Asia. Less noticed was the three-door short-wheelbase model, a shortened take on the same platform. It keeps the upright, squared-off look associated with the 70 Series, paired with a shorter overall length than its wagon and pickup siblings. That compact footprint sets it apart from the longer variants that draw most of the attention.
Basic Equipment by Design
The base commercial three-door uses manual crank windows, cloth seats, vinyl interior trim, and a factory-fitted snorkel. Those listed features show how simply the vehicle is equipped, although the source does not assign a specific purpose to the snorkel or explain why Toyota selected each cabin material.
Power comes from one of two engines. One is a 129-horsepower 4.2-liter naturally aspirated diesel inline-six whose design traces back to 1990. The other is a 4.0-liter 1GR-FE gasoline V6 rated at about 228 horsepower. The engine choice gives buyers a diesel or gasoline option within the same basic package.
The Rare Folding-Roof Model
The convertible three-door is the most unusual member of the group. It has a removable roof, and its windshield folds down and forward to improve forward access and visibility. According to Land Cruiser chief engineer Masaya Uchiyama, the convertible ranks among the rarest configurations the company builds, and it is not offered in Japan.
Toyota sends roughly 90 percent of these convertibles to the Middle East, and the remaining share reaches select South Asian markets. That limited, tightly targeted distribution makes the model a rare sight even where the Series 70 is on sale. Rally driver Takamoto Miura joined Uchiyama to walk through the short-wheelbase lineup on Toyota’s official Land Cruiser channel.
Pricing and Availability
At current exchange rates, the convertible three-door costs around $49,000, and the base version is priced lower. The source identifies Australia, Africa, South America, and parts of South Asia among the Series 70’s export markets, while saying most convertibles go to the Middle East. It does not establish continent-wide ordering rules for North America or compare the Toyota with GMC electric vehicles, a separate product subject.
A Deliberately Simple Machine
The Series 70 stands apart from vehicles filled with driver aids and large touchscreens. Its appeal rests on straightforward mechanical design and a focus on utility. In the markets where it remains on sale, it serves buyers who want a compact, work-oriented four-wheel drive with limited electronics rather than a feature-rich SUV. For enthusiasts outside those regions, the short-wheelbase model is something to read about rather than buy, and its continued production shows that a simple, utility-first design still has a place in Toyota’s global range.
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