Summary
- The Toyota Land Cruiser has a rich history and strong reputation for its dominance and versatility in various settings, making it a legendary vehicle.
- The Land Cruiser's popularity and success have led to a cult following and the availability of aftermarket modifications and parts worldwide.
- While the Land Cruiser's quality remains high, the introduction of the 300 series has raised concerns about engine issues and a departure from the model's durability, but the 70 series continues to carry the legacy forward.
No matter where you find yourself in this great big world, it is almost guaranteed that a Land Cruiser will pass by. Depending on your location, that Land Cruiser might be carrying children through the city or soldiers through war. The Land Cruiser is one of the most versatile vehicles ever created. Its versatility comes from a spacious cabin paired with strong and durable underpinnings. In fact, the Land Cruiser has been characterized as one of the most reliable vehicles ever made, which is a big compliment.
It is firmly believed that the Land Cruiser is both unbeatable and irreplaceable. The Toyota Land Cruiser must retain its old-school rugged appeal, or the world will lose a legend. But it must also change with the times and become a modern warrior alongside some of its most fierce rivals, such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Range Rover. Perhaps that is the idea behind making a model, the Toyota Land Cruiser 1958, that takes design cues from the old-school version, such as round headlights and the grille that became known back in the day as the "Toyota grille."
The square outer design is also reminiscent of the Land Cruiser of the past, but to make things more worthy of modern times, the A-pillar has been pushed back for better vision while on the trails. For a better approach angle the front overhang, a tell-tale sign of a true classic Land Cruiser, has been decreased to improve the approach angle, dramatically improving the off-road abilities of the 2024 version.
Using the most up-to-date data found on the carmaker's websites, media press releases, and interviews by other reputable sites, we have compiled the most up-to-date data possible.
Updated on September 4, 2023: The Toyota Land Cruiser has been missed for several years, and we all eagerly await its arrival in 2024. Because of that, we have decided to refresh and update this list rather than letting it get lost in the wasteland of old pieces floating around on the web Keep checking back here for more updates and fresh information.
The Land Cruiser Has Dominated The World
Like most 4x4s are, the Land Cruiser at first was a Japanese version of the Jeep, but as the years progressed, it evolved into a whole different vehicle. Up until the 1990s, the Land Cruiser featured a spacious body paired with a very strong base with solid front and rear axles. Those axles could be had with lockers, further increasing the Land Cruiser's capabilities. After 1990, the Land Cruiser came with all-wheel drive as standard in the American markets, with a differential that was lockable in four-high but auto-locked in four-low. The 2024 version will feature newly designed double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension to offer exceptional off-road capabilities.
This blend of space, comfort, and immense durability is part of what won over the hearts of people both in the cities and in the outback. Many army fleets are made up of Land Cruisers, as people know it is one of the few vehicles that will be able to get them down to the battlefield while also bringing them back to base again. It is not just a popular choice for battle battalions, though. Otherwise, it would not have reached over 10 million in total sales by 2019, with more yet to come.
The Land Cruiser's History Makes It impossible To Beat
The legend behind the Land Cruiser has created somewhat of a cult following, making this vehicle impossible to beat. This is because aftermarket companies have developed a vast array of modification products designed to make the Land Cruiser an even more capable off-roader and camper. Furthermore, let's not forget that the Land Cruiser, as an off-roader, has the big advantage of being known and used all around the globe. Therefore, you will be able to find parts and someone to fix your Land Cruiser regardless of where you happen to be.
All the above points are mainly down to the car's history. If the early decades of the model weren't so successful, the car wouldn't have the support it currently has. Let's face it: all the aftermarket parts would never have been designed or produced if the classic Toyota Land Cruiser had not become so popular with off-road enthusiasts. So, not only has the long and successful history of the Land Cruiser affected the sales success of the vehicle then and now, but it also helped improve the sales and profits of numerous downline companies that supplied those improvement parts for the off-the-beaten-path outings.
The Land Cruiser's Quality Makes It Impossible To Beat
The Land Cruiser's quality is perhaps one of the main reasons this SUV is impossible to beat. After the late 1990s, the Land Cruiser might have become softer with an independent front end, a more luxurious interior, and a larger body. However, its underpinnings were still made with incredible quality in mind. The 100 series and 200 series Land Cruisers, which came after the legendary 80 series, are known to last for hundreds of thousands of miles even when used off-road. Sure, they don't have the off-road abilities of the old models, but they offer a more well-rounded vehicle that is also very comfortable on the road.
One of the best ways to check out the overall quality of a vehicle is to see how much it will cost you to maintain it because, as you well know, it will cost you to keep it running. According to the data compiled for the first years of ownership, maintenance costs will run you about $843 annually. For the first ten years that you own the Toyota Land Cruiser, which is the longest that most of you keep a vehicle before trading it in for a newer model, it will cost you close to $6,782. It's not too bad when you see that most newer vehicles range well into five digits for the first ten years of maintenance costs, especially when you take them off-road.
The Land Cruiser Is Impossible To Beat Given Its Varierty And Versatility
Currently, the Land Cruiser isn't offered as one vehicle. Toyota sells the more SUV family-oriented 300 Series to most of the world and will likely continue to do so even though the ones set to hit the shores for American markets in 2024 are not named to follow along the same lines. In fact, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser returning to the States will only have three trim levels, with the first being limited to a minimal production run of only 5,000 units for the first two months of production. After that, there will only be two trim levels for sale for the remainder of the model year.
- Toyota Land Cruiser First Edition
- Land Cruiser 1958
- Land Cruiser
Regions with mining industries or rough terrain, like Africa, receive the 70 series. The 70 Series is one of the most unique vehicles on sale right now. It offers two solid axles, a very basic interior, and cabins that come in a wagon, troop carrier, or double cab configuration. All three variants have the same chassis but with a different wheelbase. The 70 Series Land Cruiser is meant for heavy-duty work. It is a ubiquitous sight on the roads of Australia and Africa as people need a vehicle that is both modern and old school. The 70 series stays true to the Land Cruiser roots, offering a design no other model on the new market offers.
Sadly, The Legend Behind The Land Cruiser Seems To Be Dying
The 200 Series Land Cruiser, the latest Land Cruiser until recently, was still very reliable. It may not have been as reliable as the older models, but when compared to other modern vehicles, it was far better. The 200 series was replaced with the 300 series not long ago, and the Land Cruiser's trajectory to a more family-oriented luxury SUV is starting to take its toll on the model. You see, the new 300 series is only offered with a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6. This in itself isn't a bad thing, as the engine has plenty of grunt. What is a problem is the fact that it is a hot-v design.
Hot-v engines have the exhaust manifold inside the V of the engine while the intake manifolds wrap their way around the outside. This is good for packaging but terrible for heat management. Many hot-V engines of the past have had problems with frying components due to the excessive heat trapped between the engine's two banks. So, we are almost certain that as soon as the 300 starts to gather up some age, problems in that area might arise.
This, however, is only speculation. What isn't speculated is that this engine has an excessive oil consumption problem. Customers complain that their new 300 series Land Cruiser might use more than a liter of oil between service intervals. Toyota tried to cover this issue by saying that all engines use oil. However, one liter in between services is far too excessive, and their efforts to make this seem like a normal engine design trait diminish the company's image.
So, does this mean that the Land Cruiser as we know it is dead? Well, it sure isn't as durable as it used to be. Also, the legendary 70 series will continue; therefore, we believe the nameplate still has potential. Toyota just needs to make sure no over-complicated designs are implemented into upcoming models.