4x4 Reviews and Press | 4x4 Cars

Toyota’s latest line up of 4x4s, from the stylish RAV4 to the indestructible Hilux and go-anywhere Land Cruiser are gaining fantastic reviews and opinions. See what the motoring press says about them here.

Auto Express Test Team on Hilux:

“The Hilux has forged its reputation for unbreakable reliability, toughness and off-road ability in the harshest environments, although the current production model is classier, more comfortable and nicer to drive than ever before. But Toyota hasn't forgotten practicality, as the latest model has the widest load bay yet and an improved payload capacity. Yet it still retains the legendary rugged durability that makes the Hilux so famous around the world.

“Reputation isn’t everything, but Toyota has been known as a maker of very durable products, and the Hilux in particular has always been an extremely tough and reliable vehicle. It’s really safety where things have improved for the 2016 Hilux, though. All models now come with seven airbags including curtain airbags and one for the driver’s knee. All models except the most basic single cab receive front and rear seatbelt pre-tensioners, while all double cab models get ISOFIX child seat mountings.”

Toyota Hilux, exterior blue,through water.

Chris Knapman, The Daily Telegraph on RAV4:

“With enough room for a family of five, including a big boot with a flat floor and no lip to heave luggage over, the RAV4 is hard to criticise. It makes the average family hatchback feel tiny, and has lots of storage compartments and deep door pockets, too.

“For such a big vehicle the RAV4 controls its body quite well, but it lets you know about bigger lumps and bumps in the road thanks to its overly firm suspension. The hybrid model feels particularly firm at the back, where all of the batteries are located.

“All RAV4s come with seven airbags as standard, plus there’s an electronic stability control system to help you recover the car if it begins to skid.”

Liam Campbell, Car Magazine on Hilux:

“The Toyota Hilux has long been seen as the ‘go anywhere, do anything’ pickup, and its toughness and durability has made it a firm favourite in challenging environments.

“It can lay claim to being the best-selling one-tonne pickup truck of all time, with over 18 million sales since it became available in 1968. Replacing such an icon is never going to be an easy task but with the seventh generation now into its twelfth year on sale, a successor needed to be appointed.

“While Toyota may be alienating a lot of its faithful by ruling out the 2.8-litre for the UK market, the Hilux will continue to be a big seller. Yes, it may not be the most efficient, the cheapest or the most comfortable, but the Hilux is a proven product that has built up a huge reputation as a practical and agile performer.

“Its build quality and off-road ability is second to none, and combined with a 3.5t towing capacity, the eighth-generation Hilux is still – despite fierce competition – one of the best proper pickups on the market.”

Toyota Hilux, red on moiuntain road pulling campervan.

Liam Campbell, Car Magazine on Hilux:

Toyota Land Cruiser, exterior white, in front of grey rocky background.

Carwow on Land Cruiser:

“The Toyota Land Cruiser is a large, rugged off-roader disguised as a road-going SUV. Its rivals are the Land Rover Discovery 4, Volkswagen Touareg and Mercedes GLE, but arguably none offer the Toyota’s durability.

“The new model got a new engine among other, less significant, updates. It’s smaller in capacity and less powerful than the one it replaces, but has improved running costs and more pulling power.

“For those living in the middle of nowhere, with no access to dealership facilities, who need a dependable, go-anywhere off-roader that’ll work more or less forever, a Land Cruiser is one of the few choices worth considering.”

Tim Pollard, Car Magazine on Land Cruiser:

“With the impending demise of the Land Rover Defender, Toyota's Land Cruiser is one of a dwindling number of safari-spec tough off-roaders from the old school. Authentic 4x4s that put go-anywhere duty ahead of niceties such as cornering on rails or high-street posing.

“We love its tough-as-nails ambience, go-anywhere pluck and vast practicality. This is a unique Africa-meets-Asia luxury SUV with pleasingly few pretensions. It’s an almost-classic, a worthy alternative to me-too German premium crossovers and exactly the kind of robust car we’d pick if we were preparing for the Apocalypse..”