The legendary Toyota Land Cruiser full-size SUV will disappear from the American market after 2021. Beloved for its off-road prowess and near-luxury comfort, the Land Cruiser has always been a solid choice for buyers in need of something large and versatile. But it’s a dinosaur by automotive industry standards. The current edition dates back to 2007, with a few cosmetic refreshes since.
In a statement, Toyota promised to “continue to explore future products that celebrate the Land Cruiser’s rich off-road history.” You’ll no doubt notice the Toyota doesn’t actually say there’s a replacement Land Cruiser coming. But a replacement is said to be in the design stages for more than a year. It would be a surprise if Toyota let this iconic nameplate, with a heritage dating back to 1958, lapse for long.
The 3-row SUV segment is much more competitive today than it was when the current Land Cruiser appeared. The Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade twins have shaken up the segment with their value. The venerable Land Cruiser could use an update. Rumors say the next Land Cruiser will employ a turbo V6 in place of the current V8, with hybrid availability. We don’t know, however, whether it will arrive in time to serve as a 2022 model.
In the meantime, the Land Cruisers still in showrooms in late 2020 and early 2021 remain solid choices. Prices start at $84,415, and though that is among the highest on the market, it retains its value exceptionally well
