DETROIT -- Toyota's latest edition of the Land Cruiser SUV will carry a base sticker price of $56,380 including shipping charges. That is an increase of $490 from the 2005 model.

The Land Cruiser's 4.7-liter V-8 engine is upgraded for the 2006 model year, including the addition of Toyota's variable valve timing with intelligence system. Output has been raised to 275 horsepower, up from 235 hp for the 2005 model.

Exterior changes include redesigned headlights, taillights and grille. A new rear spoiler is optional. A tire pressure monitoring system is standard.

The options list includes a height-adjustable suspension.

Through the first four months of this year Toyota sold 1,742 Land Cruisers, down 14.3 percent from the same period a year ago. The Land Cruiser is built at Toyota's Araco Corp. plant in Toyota City, Japan.

Toyota 's big off-roader, the Land Cruiser, underwent a minor facelift in 2005. But now, we've spotted a prototype of the next-generation Land Cruiser during secret hot-weather testing in the state of South Australia , in the Australian Outback.



One of the interesting aspects of the vehicle is what appears to be an air or hydraulic suspension which lowers the vehicle when the ignition is turned off, presumably for better entry and exit. The vehicle appears slightly longer, lower, and wider in profile than the current 100 Series Land Cruiser.



Gas engines are sure to be offered, as is a new 4.5-liter common-rail V-8 turbodiesel just introduced by Toyota . In the 70 Series range this engine produces 203 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque from 1200 rpm.



The new Land Cruiser is expected to appear at this fall's Tokyo Motor Show.




Christa Lehmann / Hidden Image

Toyota’s tough, go-anywhere Land Cruiser is receiving some significant updates for the 2016 model year, just like its corporate cousin, the Lexus LX 570, which appeared in updated form for the first time during this month's Monterey Car Week. Like the LX 570, Toyota’s latest Land Cruiser, the 200 series, was introduced as an all-new model for 2008. It received its first update for 2013 and now it’s receiving its second and final update ahead of the arrival of a redesigned model in the next two to three years.

Substantial visual changes for the big, body-on-frame SUV are centered on a new front with a more modern design achieved by restyling the grille, headlamps, bumper, fenders and hood. This gives the vehicle a more modern and aggressive look and feel. New lights have also been fitted to the rear, and the chrome strip now stretches the width of the vehicle.

Inside, the design team has added more soft-touch surfaces, revised instruments and controls and other refinements. The arrangement for the switches and displays for audio, air-conditioning and driver-related functions have been made simpler, while the dials and switches have also been reshaped to make them easier to use. The center stack gains a new storage area with power outlet and a larger display, while a new 4.2-inch display has been added to the main instrument cluster.

The updated Land Cruiser is also expected to gain the latest Toyota Safety Sense suite of electronic safety features and driver aids. This is made possible by new radar and front camera monitoring systems as well as other sensors.

In the United States, the updated Land Cruiser should continue with the outgoing model’s sole V-8 option. The 5.7-liter V-8 is rated at 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, and we expect this updated model to feature similar numbers. As we saw with the updated LX 570, a new eight-speed automatic should replace the outgoing model’s six-speeder.

The tough, go-anywhere Land Cruiser receives some significant updates for the 2016 model year, mirroring the changes made to the vehicle’s corporate cousin, the Lexus LX 570, which appeared in updated form for the first time during this past weekend’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

New exterior and interior design features are the obvious changes made to the 2016 Land Cruiser, while new safety technology, a major drivetrain upgrade and enhanced multimedia features make this more than your typically mid-cycle update. Actually, this is the current 200 series model’s second update, with the previous being introduced for 2013. This will be the last such update before the big, body-on-frame SUV is completely redesigned in the next two to three years.

You’ll immediately notice the 2016 Land Cruiser by its new front end. Toyota says the grille, headlamps, bumper, fenders and hood are all new. These give the vehiclea more modern and aggressive look and feel. New lights have also been fitted to the rear, and the chrome strip now stretches the width of the vehicle.

Inside, the design team has added more soft-touch surfaces, new display screens, plus new switches and controls. The center stack was redesigned and now integrates a cooler box, USB port and cup holders, as well as 9.0-inch display screen, while a new 4.2-inch display has been added to the main instrument cluster. Some of the information shown in the display includes gear selection, odometer, tripmeter, fuel consumption, individual tire pressures and cruising range. A wireless phone charger and rear-seat entertainment system with dual 10.0-inch screens are also included.

In the United States, the 2016 Land Cruiser continues with the outgoing model’s sole V-8 option. The 5.7-liter V-8 is rated at 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, with as much as 90 percent of the peak torque delivered from just 2,200 rpm—perfect for towing. The Land Cruiser’s standard Trailer Towing Package equips it to pull a trailer up to 8,500 pounds. The hardware needed for towing is all there, including an engine oil cooler, as well as a connector and sub-wiring harness that facilitate a trailer-brake controller. In addition, the Trailer Sway Control feature uses the vehicle’s electronic stability control to help counteract trailer sway.

The big news is the addition of an eight-speed automatic instead of the previous six-speeder. This makes the 2016 Land Cruiser the first Toyota in these parts to feature an eight-speed auto. The added ratios see a slight improvement in fuel economy, with the EPA-rated numbers coming in at 13/18 mpg city/highway and 15 mpg combined. Toyota says the transmission also improves acceleration.

The Land Cruiser’s full-time 4WD system uses a Torsen limited-slip locking center differential to distribute torque 40:60 front-to-rear. Should wheel slippage occur, the differential can direct more torque to the wheels with the best grip. Other systems helping with off-roading are a two-speed transfer case as well as electronic systems designed specifically for off-road conditions. One of these is the Multi-terrain Select system which allows more-than-normal wheel slip in loose terrain, such as mud and sand, to help the vehicle keep moving without digging itself in.

Once again, the Toyota Land Cruiser comes fully loaded and with seating for eight. The only options for buyers are color and trim. For 2016, new semi-aniline perforated leather is available in the choice of black or brown. This means you get all the latest Toyota safety features at no extra cost. Included is the latest Toyota Safety Sense-P suite of safety features and electronic driver aids, which includes pre-collision systems that aim to prevent or mitigate collisions and, under certain circumstances, help protect pedestrians in a collision.

The Toyota Safety Sense-P system includes Frontal Collision Avoidance, at speeds below 24 mph (including pedestrian protection); Frontal Collision Mitigation (also for speeds below 24 mph); Lane Departure Alert; Auto High Beams and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. In addition, the 2016 Land Cruiser can help the driver avoid hazards with the new Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. A backup camera and 10 airbags are also standard.

Pricing for the 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser is yet to be announced but we wouldn’t expect much of a move from the previous model year’s price tag, which came in a tad over $80k.

The current generation of the Toyota Land Cruiser dates back to the 2008 model year, making it practically ancient by the standards of the highly competitive SUV segment, but a new model is reportedly finally on the way. Japan's Best Car claims the updated SUV debuts in fall 2020, but the report indicates that a concept could preview the new shape at the Tokyo Motor Show in late October.

The new Land Cruiser will ride on an updated steel ladder frame. Under the hood, a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 will replace the current 5.7-liter V8. The engine will hook up to a 10-speed automatic instead of the current 8-speed gearbox. A hybrid model might be available, too.

The Land Cruiser will come with the latest version of the Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance technology. It'll include nighttime pedestrian detection and accident avoidance that can steer away from a collision if the driver doesn't react in time.

The new generation of the Land Cruiser also means that an updated Lexus LX is on the way. However, details about it are less clear. The designers will make a real effort to differentiate the styling of the two models, and expect nicer materials in the cabin.Best Car claims that Toyota is developing the two vehicles simultaneously, which suggests there shouldn't be a long wait between their debuts.

If you're shopping for a Land Cruiser in the meantime, then check out the newly introduced Heritage Edition (gallery above). The special model takes the SUV and loads it with attractive touches like bronze 18-inch BBS wheels, black trim, a roof basket. The interior has black leather upholstery with bronze trim. Toyota is only offering 1,200 of them in the United States.

Toyota has confirmed that sales of its uber-SUV will be discontinued at the end of the 2021 model year.

The nameplate recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, and the latest generation of the full-size truck has been on sale since 2008, tying it with the Toyota Sequoia as the oldest SUV on sale today. Toyota sold 3,536 of them in the U.S. last year at prices starting at $86,740.

Even at its advanced age, the Land Cruiser is one of the most capable off-roaders available today, but its thirsty V8 and solid rear axle hamper its street appeal.

Toyota told Road & Track: "the Land Cruiser has been a legendary name for more than 60 years. While it will be discontinued in the United States after the 2021 model year, we remain committed to the large SUV segment and will continue to explore future products that celebrate the Land Cruiser's rich off-road history. We encourage loyal enthusiasts and intrepid adventurers to stay tuned for future developments."

The lower-priced Toyota Tundra-based Sequoia is expected to be replaced with an all-new model in 2022, so it may shoulder the large off-road SUV segment for Toyota in lieu of a new Land Cruiser, if the latter isn't directly replaced.

Lexus has not confirmed future plans for the $87,875 LX570, which is based on the Land Cruiser platform and accounted for 4,718 sales last year.

What started out as a utilitarian 4x4 evolved into a comfort-oriented overlander in the 1960s. Fast forward to the present day, and the Land Cruiser is the most expensive Toyota available to order in the U.S.
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$85,565 excluding destination charge is a lot of money for a full-size SUV if you compare the J200 series to domestic alternatives from Chevrolet and Ford, but then again, Toyota knows that it’s worth every dollar. In addition to a quad-cam V8 engine that won’t leave you stranded on the side of the road, the Land Cruiser is luxurious in the proper sense of the word. Also worthy of note, the gentle giant is over-the-top capable off-road.

Another explanation for the asking price comes in the guise of the options list. To be more specific, there are no extras other than a rear-seat entertainment system and the Heritage Edition. The Land Cruiser is loaded with everything one would desire in an off-road vehicle, including eight seats and full-time 4WD as well as a limited-slip locking center differential.

There is, however, a problem with the J200 series. I’m not referring to the 14-year-old design, but few people are mentally prepared to spend that kind of moolah on something with a Toyota badge on the grille and steering wheel. “689 people got the keys to new Land Cruisers last month,” writes Car & Driver, “marking a 221% increase from January 2020.”

In other words, it’s the best sales month of the Land Cruiser in a decade. Only December 2020 comes close with 606 examples of the breed, which is peanuts in comparison to how many RAV4s are sold on a monthly basis.

Despite the very low volume, sales rose literally overnight because of the imminent discontinuation of the Land Cruiser at the end of the 2021 model year. Fret not, prospective customers, because the J300 will eventually arrive stateside. Speaking of the next-generation Land Cruiser, nobody except Toyota knows for certain if we’re dealing with a 2023 or a 2024 model.

On an ending note, word has it the J300 will be offered with a twin-turbo V6 as the base engine and a twin-turbo V6 with hybrid assistance to the detriment of the free-breathing V8 of the outgoing Land Cruiser.

The latest LC300 intel suggests a world premiere is happening late this month or June 1, so it comes as no surprise the leaks are intensifying. Following yesterday's massive leak confirming the GR Sport and some of the technology available inside, a juicy section of the technical specifications sheet has somehow escaped online weeks before the premiere.

The folks behind the land.cruiser.300 account on Instagram got a hold of the table showing the two engines Toyota will be offering at launch. Without further ado, a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 gasoline unit will deliver 409 horsepower (305 kilowatts) from 5,200 rpm and 480 pound-feet (650 Newton-meters) of torque between 2,000 rpm and 3,600 rpm.

Thanks to the adoption of forced induction, it outpunches the naturally aspirated 5.7-liter of the outgoing model. In the LC200, the V8 produces its maximum horsepower of 381 hp and 401 lb-ft (544 Nm) of torque significantly later in the rpm range, at 5,600 rpm and 3,600 rpm, respectively. At the same time, the turbocharged engine should prove to be significantly more economical than the thirsty NA V8.

As for the other powertrain, it's a 3.3-liter diesel V6 rated at 302 hp (225 kW) from 4,000 rpm and a healthy 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) between 1,600 rpm and 2,600 rpm. The table also shows the boost in output (+30 kW and +50 Nm) over the old diesel, a 4.5-liter V8 twin-turbodiesel.

The V8's death doesn't come as a big surprise as reports have been swirling around for more than a year about a new turbo V6 serving as a replacement. That said, a Toyota patent from September 2020 hinted at a new twin-turbo V8, possibly for Lexus models. In February 2020, a Toyota insider told us the engine will be installed in models priced at $90,000 and above, with the LC-F getting it first in 2022.

While a twin-turbo V8 Land Cruiser would be nice, we wouldn't hold our breath for it. The silver lining is these new V6 gasoline and diesel engines are packing some serious punch over the older larger units while likely bringing better fuel efficiency and greater low-end power.