Everything and everywhere. That should be the slogan of Land Cruiser. Because you really do get everything with the car and you can go everywhere. And for $85,000, shouldn’t you. Sadly, news broke recently that Toyota decided against redesigning the Land Cruiser and production will end in 2022 of this hand built goliath that’s been the gold standard for adventure seekers and militant terrorists over the last 60 years.
Listen, I understand that the Land Cruiser has not been redesigned in more than a decade. I know that off-roading is about consumability, since the cars get beat up and damage is inevitable. I also know that most off roaders don’t want to worry about plush leather and beautifully appointed interior trims. It’s never made sense to offer a $85k off roading truck, but to be fair, the Land Cruiser is equipped from the factory to tackle any challenge you give it. If I had to drive a car through the Sahara, I am taking the Land Cruiser.
My only experience with the Land Cruiser was with the J80 body. My parents were looking to add an SUV to the stable, and at the time, there were very few European options, only American and Japanese. I remember going to that Toyota dealership and falling in love with one of the worst features of the car - the rear cargo space killing third row poorly designed jump seats. Either way, our family didn’t get the Land Cruiser, but I have always had a soft spot for this car.
The Land Cruiser prides itself on being a “go anywhere” kind of automobile, but what really makes it special is that Toyota “gives you everything” you’d ever want in an off-roading truck - ground clearance, locking differentials, a reliable & easily repairable V8 N/A motor, a wonderful greenhouse for visibility, beefy suspension bits, a true frame on body construction, and in recent years, Toyota added more creature comforts to remain relevant.
My biggest takeaway from the Land Cruiser is that it is over engineered - a trait that almost no car has these days. It’s built to last for 30-40 years if properly maintained and driven. That doesn’t exist in cars today.
This is confirmed if you’ve ever looked for a used Land Cruiser. They do not depreciate, and that is for a good reason - they don’t break. If you ever have the opportunity to check out an early 1990s Land Cruiser, I’d wager that the car is fully functional. Try that with an early 90s Range Rover. Good luck. Something will definitely need your attention.
It is unfortunate that this hand built goliath is leaving us, but I suppose it is time for her to find greener pastures. The fuel efficiency is horrendous. The creature comforts are plenty, but you can get more for less money in other trucks on the market. The price of the car is silly considering you could line up a 2013 and a 2018 next to one another and not be able to tell the difference. But can other cars take you anywhere through anything? I’m not as confident.
What I am confident about is that the Land Cruiser is a future classic. Over-engineered and from a time that no longer exists when manufacturers put their best foot forward hoping that customers would see quality and remain loyal to their car for longer than 3 years. The Land Cruiser is a tank for the road and like most tanks, it’s built to last and can get you anywhere in any condition, while giving you everything it’s got.
There is an old saying in off-roading and adventure driving - “Go into the desert with a (insert off-roading car name), come out in a Land Cruiser”.