2025 Land Cruiser review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

Toyota’s Land Cruiser is renowned for its superb off-road ability to tackle different types of terrain in the most extreme conditions. The model has sold more than 10 million units worldwide through a few generations since its first production in 1951. Its arrival last year marked the first new Land Cruiser in 15 years in Ireland. 

The new 'Cruiser' blends the iconic retro style that harks back to the Land Cruiser’s classic design heritage with a modernised interior and the latest cutting-edge technology. It is built on a robust body-on-frame platform to provide exceptional off-road performance and rugged durability for even the harshest terrain on the planet. 

Many years ago we had our own special off-road experience with a Land Cruiser on a scary track that was part of the famous Paris-Dakar route high in the hills above Malaga, driving over moon-type landscapes and along a narrow, twisty track hewn from rock and barely the width of the car and with a huge drop down the far side. But the vehicle took it all in its stride. 

This new model is light years ahead of those previous iterations in terms of ability, technology and comfort. It is offered as a seven-seater family car, positioned as a premium SUV, it is ideal - if you can afford the hefty price - for towing horse boxes or caravans, as it can pull up to 3,500kgs, matching the ability of the Toyota Hilux pick-up. It is also available as a two-seat commercial, favoured by farmers, vets, and the self-employed. 

This is a tall, heavy vehicle measuring 4925mm in length, 1925mm in height, 1980mm in width, and with a wheelbase of 2850mm. The passenger version comes with privacy glass, roof rails, large side mirrors with good blind-spot alerts, running boards, mud guards, front and rear parking sensors, a dusk sensor, a large rear window with a wiper, and an electric tailgate. 18-inch wheels help with all-terrain grip and traction. Interior upgrades make the cabin quite luxurious and spacious, while large hand grips on the front and middle rows make getting in and out easier. The large amount of glass and panoramic sunroof help keep the cabin nice and airy despite the dark interior and synthetic black leather upholstery. There are some textured grey inserts on the dash to relieve the look. 

Upgrades include a large multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto integration, which doubles as an excellent reversing camera, and a recessed driver’s digital information display with all the relevant drive info. Comfy front seats have power adjustments and can be heated and ventilated. My seat had lumbar support and could also recline and slide. Features include dual-zone automatic air conditioning, a cool box, two deep cupholders, a mobile phone charging pad, USB-C ports (five in all), big door bins, a decent glovebox, and overhead handgrips. The Mode Selector on the dash lets you drive in Sport, Normal, or Eco modes, while a View button on the central console shows the entire area around the car when parking up. 

There’s generous head and legroom in the rear, which also has its own temperature controls, two small USBs and a power outlet. Both outer seats can be heated and ventilated. A section of the central console, close to the floor, doesn’t impact the middle foot space. The very rear seats are mostly for children or teens. My car had a power tailgate; the glass could open to allow items to be placed inside without opening the tailgate. In a five-seater configuration, the luggage capacity is around 620 litres, reducing to around 120 litres with all seats down, making a flat floor. 

You sit up high and have an unobstructed view out front, thanks to the low dashboard. The area around the gear lever is brilliantly designed, with graphics to guide you through the car’s off-road capabilities. The Land Cruiser has permanent four-wheel drive. The Multi-Terrain Select optimises the suspension and powertrain for different terrains. Use the ‘Crawl Control’ for slowly going up a steep hill or down a steep descent - you let the vehicle do the hard work itself, taking your feet off the brake and the accelerator pedal, and placing your trust in the car. There was also Downhill Assist Control onboard. Power comes from a powerful 2.8 mild-hybrid diesel engine paired with a redesigned turbocharger that delivers 500Nm of torque, and a new eight-speed automatic transmission ensures a smoother, more efficient driving experience, whether on or off-road. It also adds electric power steering, replacing the former hydraulic system, providing better handling off-road. 

My car had Auto Hold, Pre-Collision System, Adaptive Cruise Control, rear parking system with automatic braking, lane departure alert, all part of Toyota Safety Sense. The Driver Monitoring system was annoying in all types of weather, with a ‘Closed Eyes Detected. Look forward’ message on the driver’s screen and a loud alert when my eyes were wide open and fully focused on the road ahead. 

Off-road is where the vehicle feels more at home, with a climbing angle of 42 degrees, a departure angle of 22 degrees, a ground clearance of 205.3mm, and a wading depth of 700mm. A really good feature of the off-road mode is that it lets you view the car’s chassis and see the ground beneath it as you drive over rough terrain. 

 Toyota offers a 3-year/100,000km manufacturer’s warranty. 

The passenger version is priced for a huge €140,830 (VAT @ 41pc doesn’t help!); the commercial is from €69,990.

 

Dan Dooley Car Sales appointed Fiat & Jeep dealership

Dan Dooley Car Sales has been appointed an authorised dealer for Fiat, Fiat Professional and Jeep in Ireland, writes Trish Whelan. 

Located in Knocklong, Co Limerick, the dealership dates back to 1061 when Dan Dooley first opened his garage. Since then, the Dooley name has become synonymous with the motor trade in the region. 

Welcoming Dan Dooley Car Sales as a new authorised dealer for the brands, John Saunders, Managing Director at Fiat and Jeep Ireland said ‘their heritage, local reputation and unwavering commitment to customers make them an excellent partner for our brands’. 

The dealership will provide sales and authorised after sales for all three brands. James Dooley, Dealer Principal at Dan Doyle Car Sales, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Gowan Auto and to represent Fiat, Fiat Professional and Jeep and our team looks forward to introducing these products to customers and continuing our long tradition of offering excellent service and value.” 

Pictured from left to right: Ian Tolan (Head of Sales at Fiat & Jeep Ireland); Johnny Murphy (Sales Manager at Dan Dooley Car Sales); John Saunders (Managing Director at Fiat & Jeep Ireland); James Dooley (Dealer Principal at Dan Dooley Car Sales); Andy Dooley (After Sales Manager at Dan Dooley Car Sales); and Brian Higgins (Area Sales Manager at Fiat & Jeep Ireland).

Free vehicle history report with Done Deal

DoneDeal Cars has launched a free History Check on cars listed by Trusted Dealers on its website, giving buyers access to key vehicle information upfront at no extra cost, writes Brian Byrne.

The new feature allows buyers to download a Free History Report directly from eligible listings from all Trusted Dealers, with the report emailed straight to them. 

The Report includes essential information such as import status and country of origin, A and B write-off history, number and dates of previous owners, NCT and tax details, mileage history, any UK history for imported vehicles, whether the car now has an Irish registration, and more. 

Irish School of Excellence wins road safety award

The Irish School of Excellence, a practical driver education and road safety programme specially designed for Transition Year students, received the Vulnerable Road User Award at the recent 2025 Leading Lights Road Safety Awards, writes Brian Byrne. The award recognises groups and organisations that are enhancing safety for pedestrians, cyclists, children, and older people. 

Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Sean Canney TD, presented the award to Kieran O’Brien from the ISE. Supported by Allianz, this school is Ireland’s only certified, on-site driving and road safety programme, delivered directly in schools with no off-site travel needed. Students have the chance to drive a vehicle with a qualified instructor, practise the Theory Test, learn about buying and taxing a vehicle, explore road safety and green energy, and acquire basic mechanics skills, among other things. In 2021, the school also introduced an E-scooter safety module. 

Kieran O’Brien said that over 25 years, the school has delivered its programme to more than 500,000 students across the country. 

Highest monthly sales of electric cars

More than one in five cars sold in January were electric vehicles, writes Brian Byrne. It marked the highest monthly volume of EVs to date, with 7,319 new electric cars registered, a 48.7 per cent increase from 4,923 in January 2025. For the first time, EVs surpassed the number of petrol-engined vehicles sold. 

According to figures released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, overall new car registrations for January rose by 3.3 per cent (34,604) compared to January 2025 (33,499). Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) increased by 21.6 per cent (7,579), while Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations declined by 16.6 per cent. 

Imported used cars rose by 43.5 per cent (8,041). In the new car market, hybrid (petrol-electric) has taken the lead for the first time at 28.28 per cent, followed by electric at 21.15 per cent, petrol at 20.94 per cent, plug-in hybrid at 14.56 per cent, and diesel at 12.48 per cent. Automatic transmissions account for 78.74 per cent of the market share. 

Tyre failure rates in NCT described as 'shocking'

Tyre issues accounted for the highest visual defect failures with the NCTS last year, writes Brian Byrne. At 14.3 per cent of fails, that amounts to more than 250,000 cars. 

The second-highest visual failure was suspension at 10.9 per cent, followed by steering linkage defects at 8.5 per cent.

The results are shocking according to Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres Ireland, who says Irish drivers need to "up their game' when it comes to tyre safety. 

"Tyre manufacturers as well as their industry representative bodies, such as the Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA), and road safety organisations, all engage in well thought-out tyre safety campaigns," he said. "On the evidence of these latest NCT statistics, Irish drivers are not heeding these important road safety messages.” 

2025 a record year for VW Group in Ireland

Images: Trish Whelan.

With 40,950 vehicles registered across its six brands, 2025 was a record-breaking year for Volkswagen Group Ireland, writes Brian Byrne. The group achieved a 29 per cent share of the overall new car market.

More than one in four electric vehicles sold in Ireland were VW Group cars, with the ID.4 being the top EV seller for the fifth year in a row.

Skoda Ireland saw a 300 per cent rise in battery-electric registrations, contributing to a third year in a row of record sales for the brand. Audi's electric and electrified vehicle orders for 2026 represent 40 per cent of the total order bank. Cupra increased Irish registrations by 55 per cent in 2025.

The Volkswagen Group plans to launch 20 new models in 2026, including the 325PS Golf GTI Edition 50 from the parent brand, the all-new T-Roc, Passat, and ID.Polo and ID.Cross Concept. New Škoda models will include the Epiq, a seven-seat Peaq SUV, and an updated plug-in hybrid Superb. The Cupra Raval will be the first model in the Group’s Urban EV family, arriving in September. Audi will introduce a new RS5 sports saloon and Avant, an updated Q4 e-tron, and new Q7 and Q9, along with an entry-level, fully electric crossover. SEAT has new versions of the Ibiza and Arona. VW Commercial Vehicles will debut the all-electric e-Caravelle. 

Dacia Bigster Review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

It has been a big year for the Dacia Bigster since its debut here last year, writes Brian Byrne. Among its awards, notable mentions include the Irish Medium SUV of the Year 2026 in partnership with Continental, the German Car of the Year (under €25,000), the Lithuanian Car of the Year (under €35,000), and a finalist in the 2026 European Car of the Year. In this market, it boosted Dacia’s SUV sales alongside its smaller sibling, the Duster, helping the Renault-owned budget brand break into Ireland's top ten brands for 2025. Although it’s only fourth in sales among Dacia's five models locally, there’s a strong sense that the Bigster is on a promising rise.

Like all Dacias, the Bigster prioritises practicality and affordability. As a C-segment SUV, it offers a lot of car for the money. Larger than the VW Tiguan, and not much smaller than the Toyota RAV4, it positions itself as a serious contender for family buyers.

The design is sharp, an elongated version of the highly successful Duster in its latest generation. Sometimes, simply stretching an existing model doesn't look quite right, but that's not the case here. From any angle, the proportions are spot on. The front end has quite a pleasing style, with the grille and light design. The overall appearance is further enhanced by roof rails, which can be adjusted for cross-roof use, making it easy to secure items like a kayak. The rear features distinctive tail lights and a roof-level spoiler, which help keep the rear screen clean, among other benefits.

Inside, the dashboard is exactly like that of the smaller Duster, and there's nothing wrong with that. The central screen might stick out a little, and I'd be cautious about how sharp the corners are in the event of a head impact, but if, as they should be, the passenger is properly belted, it’s unlikely to pose an issue. The graphics on both the driver’s information screen and the multimedia display are clear, sizeable, and feature enough colour to please the eye. There's a row of switches underneath to manage key climate features. The built-in navigation system isn’t brilliant, but with CarPlay and Android connectivity, this isn’t a real problem. The materials are durable but don't look cheap—one area where the Dacia brand’s image has significantly improved since arriving here. My review car was in the top Extreme trim, with copper-coloured accents inside and out, which adds a further touch of character.

The Bigster offers slightly more rear passenger space than the Duster, but its true advantage over the smaller model lies in its cargo capacity, with 667 litres. Returning to the family theme, this is where all their gear can be easily transported, and even a lawnmower can be taken with ease for end-of-season servicing.

When I reviewed the Bigster last July, I drove the hybrid car, which, by design, has an automatic transmission. This time, I was in the 4x4 version, powered by a 130hp 3-cylinder engine paired with a manual gearbox and a console-mounted selector to manage various off-road settings. On paper, the slightly lower power and added weight of the all-wheel-drive system make the Bigster a bit sluggish compared to its 2WD versions, but it doesn’t feel slow. The road drive is good, with some low-speed fidgeting, getting better at motorway speeds. The manual gearbox feels somewhat agricultural, especially in what seem to be very low first and second gears, and the clutch pedal placement doesn’t help. I adapted to it, but my overall preference would still be the Bigster hybrid with its automatic transmission.

This is now Dacia's flagship model, elevating the brand into a new segment. Will it carve out a solid place in Dacia's overall performance in the Irish market, where the Sandero remains the top seller? I believe the answer is a Bigster yes.

PRICE: From €29,990; Review car: €40,435 (including paint). WHAT I LIKED: The ongoing evolution of a brand that was once associated with cheap and cheerless vehicles. 

Leapmotor sponsors Today FM's The Louise Cantillon Show

Leapmotor Ireland is sponsoring The Louise Cantillon Show on Today FM throughout 2026 to help build national awareness and connect with Irish audiences across the airwaves, writes Trish Whelan. Presented by Limerick native Louise Cantillon, the show blends uplifting music, memorable listener moments, celebrity interviews, and feel-good conversation. 

Mark Brennan, Marketing Manager of Leapmotor Ireland said: “Louise’s infectious energy, authenticity and genuine connection with her listeners embodies many of the same values we hold dear at Leapmotor Ireland - positivity, a fresh approach and boldly taking a leap! This collaborations gives us a brilliant platform to bring our brand to life through one of Ireland’s most exciting radio voices.” The sponsorship will feature daily Leapmotor stings throughout the show, weekly promos, and exciting giveaways for listeners. 

The full Leapmotor range is now available for customer test drives nationwide at Leapmotor’s network of retail partners: Bright Airside (Swords, Dublin): Bright Motor Group (Navan Road, Dublin): Dan Seaman Motors (Forge Hill, Cork): Fitzpatrick’s Garage (Naas, Co Kildare): Greenhall Motors (Buttevant, Co Cork): Joe Norris Motors (Navan, Co Meath): and Kenny Galway (Tuam Road, Galway).

Pictured above: (L-R); Suzanne Gray (Senior Account Manager, EssenceMediacom); Hannah Nolan (Marketing Intern, Leapmotor Ireland); Stephen McGrath (Brand Manager, Leapmotor Ireland); Louise Cantillon (The Louise Cantillon Show); Yvonne Sweeney (Sales Development Manager, Leapmotor Ireland); Mark Brennan (Marketing Manager, Leapmotor Ireland), and Emma Toner (Marketing Director, Leapmotor Ireland).

Toyota Aygo X Hybrid arrives

The Toyota Aygo X Hybrid is now available from the brand's Irish dealerships at a starting price of €24,195, writes Brian Byrne. It's the first full hybrid in the A-segment.

Customers who place an order until the end of January can benefit from a €750 Trade-In Booster alongside a competitive 5.9% APR, making Toyota’s first full-hybrid A-segment model available from as little as €217 per month. 

Features include a 9” touchscreen multimedia system, 17” alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning, and a four-speaker audio system. Adaptive Cruise Control is introduced for the first time on the model. 

The Aygo X Hybrid is supported by Toyota’s Hybrid Battery Extended Care Programme, which provides coverage for up to 15 years or 1,000,000 kilometres, subject to an annual Hybrid Health Check at a Toyota dealer.