Toyota Landcruiser V8 4.5 D-4D

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It may no longer be called the Amazon, but do not mistake this all-new Land Cruiser for any other bearing the same name. For while the normal Land Cruiser is old, slow and of no great interest any more, this one is new, startlingly quick and one of very few cars I’ve driven that I actually want. It’s the size of a block of flats, is powered by a twin turbo 4.5-litre V8 diesel, and if anyone is preparing to spend over £55,000 buying a car primarily for towing purposes, choosing anything else would seem perverse.

The engine is made from cast iron and puts out 282bhp at a leisurely 3600rpm, enough to throw over 2.5 tonnes of Toyota to 60mph in 8sec and on to 130mph. But its real appeal lies not just in its 479lb ft of torque but the fact they’re all there at just 1600rpm. By weird coincidence, these are identical numbers to those boasted by the scarcely lighter Bentley Continental Flying Spur, so that gives some idea as what to expect when you nudge the accelerator.

On top of all this comes remarkably engaging handling for one so tall and heavy, excellent refinement and an interior that would not look out of place in a Lexus. It’s an ugly brute for sure, but only those more interested in form than function should choose a Range Rover instead.