If you’ve been dreaming of getting your hands on a Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series, you might want to sit down for this one. Toyota Australia has just announced another order pause, and this time it’s hitting the popular GXL Wagon variant. But before you panic, let’s break down what’s really going on and what it means for you.
The Latest Order Pause: GXL Wagon Takes a Hit
Toyota Australia has temporarily stopped taking new orders for the LandCruiser 70 Series GXL Wagon. According to Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia’s Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, this move is all about giving customers “more certainty around delivery times for existing orders.”
Think of it this way – imagine a popular restaurant that’s so busy they can’t give you an accurate wait time. Rather than leave you hanging indefinitely, they temporarily stop seating new customers until they can catch up with the current queue. That’s essentially what Toyota is doing here.
The good news? This pause only affects the GXL Wagon. All other variants in the 70 Series lineup are still available for order, with Toyota claiming “good supply” across the rest of the range. Some variants are even available for immediate delivery or with wait times of just two to four months for new orders.
A Pattern of Supply Challenges
This isn’t the first time the LandCruiser 70 Series has faced order disruptions. The vehicle has been caught in a perfect storm of overwhelming demand and limited supply capacity. Let’s trace back through the recent challenges to understand the bigger picture.
The most dramatic chapter in this story involved the beloved V8 engine. Toyota paused V8 orders way back in July 2022, and by mid-2024, they closed them permanently. At one point, dealers were telling customers to expect wait times of four years “or never” – essentially code for “don’t hold your breath.”
The V8’s farewell wasn’t just about supply constraints. Toyota Australia revealed that Australians have bought 346,742 examples of the 70 Series since its 1985 introduction, with “almost half” of sales – specifically 171,100 units – powered by the 1VD-FTV 4.5-litre diesel V8. That’s a lot of V8 loyalists who had to say goodbye to their preferred powerplant.
The Emissions Reality Check
Here’s where things get technical, but stick with me because this affects the entire future of the 70 Series. Australia’s new ADR 80/04 emissions regulations are coming into effect on November 1, 2025, and they’re forcing Toyota to make some significant changes.
These regulations target all vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) over 3500kg. The LandCruiser 70 Series, weighing in at 3510kg, just makes the cut. Toyota is set to pause 70 Series production in order to make changes to the four-decade old 4×4 which will allow it to comply with more stringent exhaust emissions regulations.
What does this mean practically? The 70 Series will need to incorporate AdBlue technology – a urea-based additive system that reduces harmful tailpipe emissions. If you’ve driven a modern Ford Everest or similar diesel SUV, you’ve probably encountered AdBlue before. It’s not revolutionary technology, but it does require engineering changes to implement properly.
The fascinating part is that Toyota already sells a 70 Series with AdBlue in Japan, where the iconic vehicle was reintroduced in 2023. So the technology exists – it’s just a matter of adapting it for the Australian market and production line.
The Production Pause Timeline
Toyota has announced an eight-month production pause starting in September 2025. This might sound alarming, but Toyota insists they’ve planned ahead. “We have ordered additional supply so we can continue to meet demand for this rugged workhorse throughout the pause,” a Toyota Australia spokesperson explained.
This production pause will also affect other Toyota commercial vehicles. The Coaster will pause for 17 months from August 2025, while the HiAce Commuter faces an eight-month stoppage from June 2025. It’s all part of the same emissions compliance story.
What’s Under the Hood Now
Since late 2023, all LandCruiser 70 Series variants come standard with a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine. This is the same powerplant you’ll find in the HiLux and Prado, producing up to 151kW of power and 500Nm of torque.
This engine change brought something the 70 Series had never had before: an automatic transmission option. The six-speed automatic is now standard, though you can still get a five-speed manual if you prefer the traditional driving experience.
For many buyers, this transition from the legendary V8 to the four-cylinder turbo has been surprisingly positive. The new setup offers better fuel economy, modern emissions compliance, and the convenience of an automatic transmission while maintaining the 70 Series’ legendary toughness.
The Demand vs Supply Reality
Why does the LandCruiser 70 Series face these ongoing supply challenges? The answer lies in understanding what this vehicle represents in the Australian market.
The 70 Series isn’t just another SUV – it’s a cultural icon that bridges the gap between serious commercial work and adventure lifestyle. Mining companies rely on them for remote operations, farmers use them for daily work, and weekend warriors love them for serious off-road adventures.
“Since we launched the new four-cylinder LandCruiser 70 Series in late 2023, we have seen its appeal grow for Australian customers with strong demand across the entire range,” said Hanley. This growing appeal, combined with the vehicle’s reputation for longevity, creates sustained demand that’s difficult to match with production capacity.
The 70 Series is produced in Japan, and Australia represents just one market competing for allocation. When global supply chains faced disruption during COVID-19 and the semiconductor shortage, vehicles like the 70 Series – with their relatively low volumes compared to mainstream SUVs – were particularly vulnerable to allocation reductions.
What This Means for Current and Future Buyers
If you’re currently waiting for a 70 Series order, the recent pause of GXL Wagon orders shouldn’t directly affect you unless that’s specifically what you ordered. Toyota emphasizes they’re working through existing orders and expect to maintain reasonable delivery timeframes for most variants.
For potential new buyers, the landscape is actually more promising than it has been in years. The days of four-year wait times appear to be behind us, at least for most variants. Toyota claims some models are available for immediate delivery, with others requiring just two to four months.
However, timing matters. If you’re considering a 70 Series purchase, placing an order sooner rather than later makes sense, especially given the upcoming production pause and ongoing strong demand.
Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series
The LandCruiser 70 Series has survived four decades by adapting to changing regulations and market demands while maintaining its core identity. The current challenges around emissions compliance and supply constraints are just the latest chapter in this ongoing story.
The introduction of AdBlue technology and the shift to four-cylinder power represent significant changes, but they’re necessary adaptations to ensure the 70 Series can continue serving Australian buyers for decades to come. Sometimes evolution requires temporary disruption, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing now.
For Toyota, managing these supply challenges while maintaining customer satisfaction requires careful communication and realistic expectations. The company’s approach of temporarily pausing orders rather than making promises they can’t keep demonstrates a commitment to transparency that many buyers will appreciate.
The LandCruiser 70 Series remains one of Australia’s most beloved and capable vehicles. These current supply challenges are temporary hurdles in a much longer journey that began in 1985 and shows no signs of ending anytime soon.
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