Toyota Australia's LandCruiser 200 Series has claimed first and second places in Overlander magazine's 4WD of the Year award.

The magazine said LandCruiser had won the quinella with the GXL turbo-diesel narrowly out-pointing its VX petrol stablemate.

"The new turbo-diesel 200 is not just 4WD of the Year for 2007. It is good enough to be 4WD of the decade," Overlander said.

Toyota also placed fourth with the new 70 Series Wagon.

Overlander editor Mathieu Raudonikis said six of the seven judges placed the LandCruiser 200 Series at the top of their ballot papers.

Mr Raudonikis said the all-around ability of the LandCruiser 200 Series separated it from the other short-listed vehicles.

"Where the other five vehicles were strong in some elements of the week's test, but weak elsewhere, the two 200s performed well everywhere," he said.

This included the set-piece off-road sections as well as testing on tracks, trails, gravel roads, highways and on the beach.

Judges cast their votes based on five criteria: fulfilment of intended function; value for money; soundness of engineering; progressiveness of design; and the "Overlander factor" - practicality in the bush.

New LandCruiser 200 Series was launched in November with two powerful V8 engines - a new 4.5-litre twin turbo-diesel and an improved 4.7-litre petrol.

The twin turbo-diesel engine in the 4WD of the Year develops 195kW of power and 650Nm of torque - 30 per cent more power and at least 50 per cent more torque than the previous six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.

LandCruiser 200 Series also has a stronger body, improved suspension and new technology that make it even more capable in all conditions.

Advanced features include the Australian-invented Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), the world's first Crawl Control (on petrol models), multi-terrain anti-skid brakes and up to 10 airbags.

LandCruiser - the vehicle that helped Toyota establish its foothold in world automotive markets - is Australia's most popular large SUV.

In 2008 LandCruiser will celebrate 50 years in Australia, during which time it has evolved from a basic 4WD utility into an upmarket SUV.