Much of the things that we as humans do today are built on tradition. Toyota has gone away from the norm with the discontinuation of the once popular Land Cruiser model. Check out the Land Cruiser's rich history and what other options Toyota has available today!
History of the Toyota Land Cruiser
The Land Cruiser, initially known as the Toyota Jeep BJ, was introduced in Japan in the early 1950's, to help with the Korean War. In support of South Korea, the American Military urged Toyota to produce a domestically made military truck to equip the South Koreans with. By 1951 Toyota had developed the Toyota Jeep BJ, inspired by American military trucks being used in Japan. The vehicle became a patrol car for Japan's National Police Agency. Toyota would find themselves in a bit of legal issues due to the "Jeep" name, so they would rename the vehicle "Land Cruiser". They began selling the Land Cruiser in 1954 and it was off and running after that.
Toyota Motor Sales North America
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., officially opened on October 31, 1957. In Toyota's first year in the United States they were able to sell 288 vehicles, 287 of them being Toyopet Crown sedans, and 1 of them being the Toyota Land Cruiser 20 series (the original LC). Within a few years, the Land Cruiser would be Toyota's #1 selling vehicle in the U.S. from 1961-1965.
40-Series
In 1960 Toyota released the Land Cruiser 40-series, aka FJ40 (F for the F-type engine and J for Jeep). The addition of a 2-speed transfer case and a larger 2F-type engine added in 1975 gave the Land Cruiser more power and better off-road capabilities.
55-Series
Introduced in 1967 was the Land Cruiser's second edition model, the 55-series. This Land Cruiser offers a more comfortable and passenger-friendly ride. Both the 40 and 55-series replaced their 3-speed transmission with a 4-speed in 1975.
60-Series
5 years later, in 1980, Toyota decided to replace the 55-series with the new and improved Land Cruiser 60-series. Small upgrades modernized the look of the vehicle and a new engine increased the torque and horsepower.
70-Series
Brought into production in 1984 was the Land Cruiser 70-series. Built for better off-road performance and less focused on comfort, the 70-series continues on the tradition of its predecessor, the Land Cruiser 40-series.
80-Series
Continuing their tradition of evolution, Toyota created the Land Cruiser 80-series, built to replace the 60-series in 1990. Toyota made sure to hold true to the 55's passenger-friendly ride while improving the vehicle's off-road capabilities.
100-Series
The predecessor to the late U.S. 200 series-model, the 100 series introduced the V8 engine to the Land Cruiser family. The 100-series became the little brother to the 80-series as it was focused on a comfortable & smooth ride, with off-roading second in mind.
Toyota FJ Cruiser
An unheard of version of the Land Cruiser was brought to the public eye at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show. Inspired by the original 40 series, Toyota unveiled the Toyota FJ Cruiser concept. The FJ Cruiser was retired from the U.S. market at the end of 2014, but sales and production continued overseas. 2023 will be the "last dance" for the FJ Cruiser in any market.
200-Series
Previously mentioned, the Land Cruiser 200-series replaced the 100-series. With a debut in 2008, the 200-series was sold in the United States until 2022 when it was retired from the U.S. market. It comes equipped with a V8 engine with 6-speed transmission. A model update in 2016 led to an 8-speed engine that could go 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds.
Modern Day Toyota Land Cruiser
No longer offered in the U.S, the Land Cruiser 300 was unveiled in 2022. Many reasons led to the removal of the Land Cruiser in the United States, but it was mainly due to overall sales. Just over 3,000 units of the 200-series were sold in each of 2020 and 2021, compared to Toyota's smaller crossover SUV (RAV4) piling up sales of over 400,000 units/year in the U.S. from 2017-2021.
Toyota Vehicles Similar to the Land Cruiser
Toyota RAV4
The RAV4 is Toyota's smaller compact SUV option. The RAV4 and the Land Cruiser are not compared too often, but the rise in RAV4 sales in recent years was part of what led to the discontinuation of the Land Cruiser in the states.
Toyota Sequoia
The Toyota Sequoia relates closely to the Land Cruiser, but is built for more of a family-friendly ride. Like the Land Cruiser, the Sequoia can carry 8 passengers and runs on a V8 engine. Both vehicles have over 8,000 pounds towing capacity.
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota's 4Runner is the closest relative to the Land Cruiser, given that they look nearly identical and can take on any terrain. The 4Runner has 9 trim options, while the Land Cruiser has just 2. However, the Land Cruiser has a V8 engine that produces 318hp compared to the 4Runner's V6 engine that produces 270hp.
Toyota Tundra
The Toyota Tundra is currently sold in the United States and shares similar qualities to the Land Cruiser. The Tundra is a comfortable truck that can handle off-road capabilities. The Land Cruiser has more horsepower and similar torque to the Tundra, but the Tundra offers higher technology throughout the vehicle. If you're looking for a vehicle similar to the Land Cruiser but more affordable, the Tundra would be a great choice.
Visit Lum's Auto Center
The Land Cruiser is very rare in the United States nowadays. However, we have one in stock at Lum's Auto Center. Come on down to the dealership to take a look at the 2021 Land Cruiser Heritage Edition or take it out for a test drive!
