Toyota SA Motors has added a new derivative to its Land Cruiser 79 double-cab range, now offering the 2.8GD-6 engine in conjunction with a 5-speed manual gearbox…
- Toyota’s 4-pot LC79 DC now available with 5MT
- New derivative positioned R30 400 below 6AT
- 2.8GD-6 unit generates 450 Nm in manual guise
Back in February 2024, Toyota South Africa Motors launched the updated Land Cruiser 70 Series, handing the evergreen model the familiar 2.8 GD-6 engine and a 6-speed automatic gearbox. In December of that year, the Land Cruiser 79 2.8 GD-6 single cab derivative became available in manual form – and now that treatment has been extended to the double-cab body style, too.
Yes, thanks to a friendly heads-up from the sharp-eyed folks over at duoporta.com, we know the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 range – which lost the venerable 4.5D-4D V8 turbodiesel engine in August 2025 – has now gained a new 2.8GD-6 DC 5MT derivative, priced from R1 078 000. That sees it positioned R30 400 below the 2-pedal version as the 2nd priciest Land Cruiser 79 variant yet.
As a reminder, the 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel motor generates 150 kW in Land Cruiser 70 Series guise. However, when specified with the 5-speed manual cog-swapper, maximum torque falls to 450 Nm (from the auto version’s 500 Nm). Moreover, this peak twisting force is on tap over a narrower rev range: between 2 400 and 3 000 rpm in the case of the manual compared to bookends of 1 600 and 2 800 rpm for the auto.
In addition to this 2.8GD-6 powertrain – which is, of course, familiar from the likes of the Hilux, Fortuner and Land Cruiser Prado line-ups – the Land Cruiser 79 range still features a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre V6 petrol unit (170 kW/360 Nm) and a long-in-the-tooth 4.2-litre straight-6 diesel motor (96 kW/285 Nm).
Interestingly, while a service plan was previously optional for the Land Cruiser 70 Series, Toyota SA Motors recently added a 9-service/90 000 km service plan as standard (with 4.2D derivatives featuring an 18-service/90 000 km arrangement thanks to their 5 000 km service intervals).
What does the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 cost in SA?
| SINGLE-CAB DERIVATIVE | PRICE |
| Toyota Land Cruiser 79 4.0 V6 SC 5MT | R840 900 |
| Toyota Land Cruiser 79 4.2D SC 5MT | R910 600 |
| Toyota Land Cruiser 79 2.8GD-6 SC 5MT | R974 300 |
| Toyota Land Cruiser 79 2.8GD-6 SC 6AT | R1 007 600 |
| DOUBLE-CAB DERIVATIVE | PRICE |
| Toyota Land Cruiser 79 4.0 V6 DC 5MT | R949 800 |
| Toyota Land Cruiser 79 4.2D DC 5MT | R1 011 500 |
| Toyota Land Cruiser 79 2.8GD-6 DC 5MT | R1 078 000 |
| Toyota Land Cruiser 79 2.8GD-6 DC 6AT | R1 108 400 |
The prices above include Toyota’s 3-year/100 000 km warranty and a newly added 9-service/90 000 km service plan (with 4.2D derivatives featuring an 18-service/90 000 km arrangement thanks to their 5 000 km service intervals).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the New Land Cruiser 79 2.8GD-6 Manual
Q: How does the power and torque of the manual 2.8GD-6 compare to the automatic?
A: While both versions produce 150 kW, the manual derivative sees a drop in torque to 450 Nm, compared to the 500 Nm found in the automatic. This peak torque is also available over a narrower range (2 400 to 3 000 rpm), whereas the automatic provides its full 500 Nm from as low as 1 600 rpm up to 2 800 rpm.
Q: Is there a significant price difference between the manual and automatic double-cab?
A: The new Land Cruiser 79 2.8GD-6 double-cab manual is priced at R1 078 000, which makes it R30 400 more affordable than the 6-speed automatic flagship (R1 108 400).
Q: Does the Land Cruiser 79 come with a standard service plan?
A: Yes, the Land Cruiser 79 now comes standard with a 9-service/90 000 km service plan.
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