The Land Cruiser was introduced in August 1951 as the “Toyota BJ,” a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a strong engine. Since then, it has worked to provide safety and security to a wide range of consumers and other people that interact with the car.
The Land Cruiser has supported lives, livelihoods, and more meaningful lifestyles all across the world and has kept its promise to drive passengers wherever and ensure that they return home safely and unharmed. Based on the actual usage scenarios of its global consumers, the Land Cruiser’s core attributes of “reliability, durability, and off-road performance” have now undergone additional evolution. Customers in 170 nations and areas around the world are loving a cumulative total of almost 10.6 million units and more than 300,000 units*1 a year.
as of June 30, 2021. The Lexus LX and GX are included in both the cumulative and annual figures.
In This Article...
What makes the Toyota Land Cruiser so unique?
A Lifetime Friend. The Land Cruiser’s renown for longevity is another factor in its popularity. Undoubtedly one of the top automobile models that owners keep for the longest, Land Cruisers are renowned for their dependability. The excellent engines are to blame for this.
How reliable is the Toyota Land Cruiser?
The Toyota Land Cruiser: Is it a Reliable SUV? A decent premium big SUV, the Toyota Land Cruiser is available in 2021. It has a strong V8 engine and offers controlled on- and off-road handling. There are many basic comfort and safety features, and the first and second rows of seats are both roomy and comfortable.
What is the US name for a Toyota Land Cruiser?
The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is a full-size four-wheel drive vehicle in the Land Cruiser lineup made by the Japanese automaker Toyota. Its Japanese name is Toyota Rando-Kurz Purado. One of the more compact Land Cruiser models is the Prado. Toyota’s J150 platform provides the foundation for the Prado as of 2009. It is offered as the Lexus GX counterpart in several nations.
Depending on the platform, the Prado may alternatively be referred to as the Land Cruiser LC70, LC90, LC120, or LC150. It is referred to as the Toyota Prado or Toyota Land Cruiser in some markets.
The Lexus GX, which has been rebadged to look like a Land Cruiser, fills the Prado’s luxury grade position in North America. The V8 engine and body panels used by the GX are nearly identical.
The ladder frame chassis, two-speed transfer cases, and rear beam axles of the Prado are features. While the J90, J120, and J150 platforms have front independent suspension, the J70 platform has a front beam axle.
As of 2014, the Fortuner/SW4 is offered in certain Southeast Asian and South American markets instead of the Prado, with the exception of the US, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea (both of which exclusively offer the Lexus GX).
What makes it a Land Cruiser?
Due to the Korean War, a military light utility vehicle was needed in 1950. The US government commissioned Toyota to produce 100 vehicles that met the new Willys criteria at the time. In January 1951, the Toyota “Jeep” BJ prototype was created. This resulted from a demand for military-style utility vehicles, similar to the 1948 British Land Rover Series 1 model. The Jeep BJ’s Type B 3.4-liter six-cylinder OHVFour-stroke petrol engine, which produced 215 Nm (159 lbft) of torque at 1,600 rpm and 63 kW (84 hp; 85 PS) of power at 3,600 rpm, allowed it to be bigger and more powerful than the original U.S. Jeep. Like the Jeep, it possessed a part-time four-wheel drive system. The Jeep BJ did not, however, have a low-range transfer case. Ichiro Taira, a Toyota test driver, was the first to ascend Mount Fuji’s sixth stage in the Jeep BJ prototype’s subsequent iteration in July 1951. The National Police Agency oversaw the test (NPA). As a result of this accomplishment, the NPA swiftly ordered 289 of these off-road vehicles, designating the Jeep BJ as their official patrol vehicle. [14]
The first two years saw only small-scale, order-based manufacturing.
[15] But at the Toyota Honsya Plant, steady manufacture of the “Toyota Jeep BJ” started in 1953. (rolling chassis assembly). The body assembly and painting were carried out at ARACO, formerly known as Arakawa Bankin Kogyo KK (now an affiliate of Toyota Auto Body Company). [14] The following variations of the “Toyota Jeep BJ” Series were released:
- BJ-R (Radio),
- BJ-T (Touring),
- BJ-J (Cowl-chassis for a fire-engine).
The technical director Hanji Umehara came up with the term “Land Cruiser” the next year. “We also faced competition from Land Rover in England. I had to think of a name for our car that would sound no less respectable than those of our rivals. That’s why I gave it the name “Land Cruiser.” “He remembers. [14] The Studebaker Land Cruiser, which was produced from 1934 until 1954, had previously used the name. For the first time, the 3.9 L Type F petrol engine, which was initially only available in the fire-engine chassis and produced 92 kW (123 horsepower; 125 PS), was added to the Land Cruiser lineup. The models now go by:
Why isn’t the Land Cruiser popular in the USA?
Among all industries, Toyota has the best production supply network. They use the term Kaizen, which stands for continuous improvement, to describe their supply chain and production procedure. For many years, the Japanese have maintained this secret in order to build high-quality, dependable automobiles. Toyota stopped selling the Land Cruiser because of competition, according to the company.
There is fierce rivalry on the US market for huge SUVs. The Land Cruiser does not fit with the idea that every automaker should offer the most features at the lowest cost. Nearly identical features are found in the $85,000 gas guzzler and a KIA Tellidure or Ford Explorer. Toyota was forced to switch to the Lexus, a more upscale model, and although though Lexus is a different corporation, Toyota still owns it. It was anticipated that the $85,000 Toyota Land Cruiser would be too pricey. It’s not the first time Toyota has made a choice like this. The Toyota Tacoma, which has shown to be a superb pickup for America, is sold in the United States rather than the Hilux, which is sold all over the world. Toyota invests millions of dollars in research to identify the finest of the best and treats new production builds with the utmost care. Using the previous Supra generation as an example, Toyota chose to let BMW handle the design of the new Supra in order to focus on selling millions of Corollas and Camrys. Undoubtedly, the Land Cruiser required an upgrade, which the J300 series will provide. The J300 series has all-LED headlights, a sharper and more aggressive front end, and updated interior styling.
In order to enhance the off-roading experience that any Land Cruiser is known for, Lexus intends to introduce a vehicle that is prepared for rough terrain. The Lexus body will be supported by the body-on-frame chassis and improved suspension, giving the vehicle a competitive appearance and severe off-roading capabilities. What makes it even more intriguing is that this off-road vehicle will also include a warranty from the manufacturer. We’ll just have to wait till Lexus releases this new SUV before we can truly appreciate the Land Cruiser’s unadulterated nature.
What issues do Land Cruisers encounter?
These aren’t the only typical Toyota Land Cruiser issues that you should be aware of, according to statistics from Repair Pals. On models with higher mileage, the power steering pump has also caused issues for a number of owners. The SUV’s power windows and mirrors have failed for a number of owners, along with issues with the EGR system and its automatic transmission operating incorrectly at high mileage.
The truth is that while some Land Cruiser issues may be widespread, it’s impossible to forecast which issues your specific vehicle will have. In addition, owners of this SUV bring it in for unplanned repairs on average 0.7 times annually, compared to 0.4 times for all vehicle models, according to Repair Pal.
Why are Land Cruisers so expensive?
Toyota Land Cruisers are incredibly dependable and durable, and this helps them maintain their value. This implies that a used Land Cruiser can retain its value for many years, unlike other cars which quickly lose value over time. Considering that the Land Cruiser model has been discontinued, many owners are likewise unwilling to sell their vehicles.
After all, there won’t be as many Land Cruisers on the road due to the discontinuation in America. Its value will increase because it is still a sought-after SUV. All of the aforementioned explanations explain why Toyota Land Cruisers are so expensive, even though they probably won’t become collectable automobiles anytime soon.
Which Toyota Land Cruiser model is the best?
80 Series Toyota Land Cruiser The 80 series is the best land cruiser ever, boasting a full coil suspension, toughness, and durability.
Are Toyota Prado and Land Cruiser equivalent?
The Prado is a mid-sized SUV in contrast to its bigger sibling. Its engine, which is notably less powerful, is a 2982cc four-cylinder inline engine with two overhead camshafts, just like the Land Cruiser. Although both use diesel, the performance of the fuel varies. While they both use diesel fuel, this vehicle’s horsepower and torque—which are 171 bhp at 3400 RPM and 410 Nm at 1600 RPM, respectively—are substantially lower. It employs an automatic five-speed transmission gear, therefore in comparison to the Land Cruiser, it actually has fewer possibilities. And lest I forget, it doesn’t have a V8 engine. It is an inline four-cylinder diesel engine instead.
The Toyota Prado may initially appear to be the Land Cruiser’s complete and total match in every manner. Other features, including movable armrests and a speed-sensing door lock, are absent from the Land Cruiser. Some of the Prado’s advantages also appear to be relatively tiny, including a 0.1-meter increase in its minimum turning radius. Its primary benefit over a Land Cruiser is that it is less expensive and smaller, which might make it more suited for some households.
What does the Lexus Land Cruiser look like?
The Lexus LX 570 is a long-running model of the renowned Toyota Land Cruiser. Toyota no longer makes the Land Cruiser, but more and more customers might be looking at new or used Lexus versions of their preferred SUV.
Why are land rovers so durable?
Any vintage Land Cruiser from the past is a straightforward machine. The only other features are an inline-six, a four-speed manual, a fold-down windshield, and a sturdy front and rear axle. The ride is rather rough due to the solid axles. On the bright side, it can travel anywhere at any time thanks to the sturdy axles. The decor conveys a feeling of understated elegance. The Land Cruiser became a hero among its owners thanks to its minimalist design. It is not at all a comfortable SUV. However, the SUV will always be able to transport the driver and passenger home.