Toyota Land Cruiser 250

We landed at KEF under a pale winter sun. Lotus Car Rental had already emailed clear instructions the day before: digital check-in completed online, licence and card verified, insurance set. We landed, took the short shuttle, went straight to the pickup bay, entered the code, and the keys were released. No counter choreography, no paperwork parade. A new Land Cruiser 250 was waiting

First stop: Hilton Reykjavik Nordica. We pulled up outside; check-in was swift and the King Executive room with panoramic views was waiting. City lights and mountains beyond….. the kind of frame that makes you unpack slower.

That afternoon we pointed the nose toward Hvammsvík Hot Springs. The Land Cruiser settled into the groove immediately - calm steering, great forward visibility, and that reassuring, square-shouldered posture in crosswinds. Later, Reykjavik glowed behind us while the cabin stayed warm and hushed.

The next day was the main road trip day: a loop around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. This is where the LC 250 comes alive - empty roads, wind-brushed straights and black-ribbon tarmac cutting through old lava fields. We peeled off onto rougher tracks and let the chassis work:

We flew the drone whenever the weather blinked—ash-black lava to our left, a rising sun and mountains stacked in the distance. The pull-offs near Kirkjufell were unreal: quick stops, quick shots, then back into a cabin that warms in minutes.

On the move, the 250 reads like a winter partner you don’t have to think about. Ride quality is composed. Firm enough to be informative, never brittle. The studded tyres bite without the usual roar. Power delivery is honest rather than theatrical; you ride the torque. The seating position is classic Land Cruiser: upright, commanding, with a square bonnet that makes wheel placement effortless. Cabin tech is clean and modern (sensible screens, real knobs where you want them), visibility is excellent and the heated everything earns its keep when the wind decides to be Icelandic.

Verdict

The Land Cruiser 250 is the understated answer for Iceland - an underrated alternative to a Range Rover for travellers who prefer subtle presence, dependable hardware, and zero drama. It’s not trying to impress the car park; it’s built to get you there…….and in Iceland, that’s the point.

Practical notes

Approx drive times:

KEF → Reykjavík 45–50 min

Reykjavík → Hvammsvík ~45 min

Reykjavík → Kirkjufell ~2.5–3 hrs

Full Snæfellsnes loop 4–6 hrs excluding stops.

Fuel & stops: Plenty on the ring towards Borgarnes; top up before the loop.

Wind awareness: Crosswinds can be fierce; the 250’s stance helps, but keep two hands on the wheel.

Parking: Easy at major viewpoints and hot springs; use marked pull-offs only.

Power & ports: Multiple USB/12V points

Tyres: Studded or proper winters are essential in season