Why Are Toyota Land Cruisers So Reliable?

The Toyota Land Cruiser is an interesting model that knows exactly what it is. The Land Cruiser hasn’t gone through a re-design since 2008, and the big and bulky SUV feels like a vehicle from that time period. That doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing, as many people love the design that Toyota offers with this vehicle.

The Land Cruiser has an awesome towing capacity and makes a real commitment to being able to be useful off-roads and adventuring.

Even though it’s a luxurious model, Toyota has put a ton of work in to make this model one of the greatest performers when it comes to the real world. That doesn’t mean that you lose too much comfort either – it’s impressive the way that the Toyota Land Cruiser stands out in its class.

So, what makes this car the image of reliability?

Why Are Toyota Land Cruisers So Reliable?

Toyota has put an emphasis on creating a reliable vehicle that can handle any terrain well. When you look at a Toyota Land Cruiser, you see the following qualities that makes it one of the most reliable vehicles on the marketplace:

• Created specifically to tackle unpaved roads and many different environments
• Built with attention to detail to make the vehicle strong
• Simple design allows Toyota to get it right
• Brake rotors and windshield are thicker than other vehicles
• Many parts are waterproofed including the exhaust
• Focus on durability when building vehicle shows in shocks, suspension and more

All of these design traits allow Toyota to really focus on the vehicle that they are building and they make sure that they are building the Land Cruiser to the highest quality standards possible.

This is a vehicle that also costs a lot of money, it’s quite a premium product. This is another reason that Toyota is able to maintain the standards that they set.

If you are paying a lot of money for a vehicle, it had better stand out from other vehicles and the cash flow that Toyota gets for the Land Cruiser definitely helps them achieve their goals.

The Toyota Land Cruiser is known for its ability to function properly around the world, even in underdeveloped countries.

This is important to know for buyers of all countries, because the fact that the land Cruiser can work in environments like the Sahara Desert means that if you are simply looking for a vehicle that can adventure on the weekends; well you’re certainly be over-qualified for that task.

Land Cruisers are designed to last almost forever. Generally, Toyota puts out a goal that says they should be able to last for 25 years.

When some vehicles seem almost like they are designed to break down after warranties expire, this mindset of Toyota really stands out among the marketplace as an outlier. It would be great to see Toyota keep this mindset as they move forward into the future to continue making awesome products.

When thinking of the Land Cruiser as an international vehicle, it should be noted that the UN and many different relief organizations rely on them to operate in less than ideal conditions.

They take treks through extreme heat, deserts, and other rough environments and come out without too much wear and tear. Many other vehicles on the marketplace would never stand a chance at attacking these conditions day in and day out, and Toyota deserves a lot of recognition for that.

The Land Cruiser isn’t indestructible, but when it does have problems, its simple design allows for maintenance and repairs that seem easier than other vehicles. It stacks up well internationally and may not be as known to American drivers as the standard-bearer for reliability overseas.

About The Land Cruiser

The Land Cruiser is Toyota’s oldest model, having sold over 10 million units and generally selling almost 500,000 per year as of 2020.

It’s been in production since 1951 (obviously going through design changes since that time) and has really had a successful run. They’re designed to last for up to 25 years, which would be quite incredible when you think about how long modern vehicles last these days.

Toyota actually got their start in an interesting fashion, when the Japanese came across a Jeep vehicle in the Philippines.

They were able to reverse engineer the Jeep to create a very similar model, which unfortunately they named the “Toyota Jeep”.  They started producing the vehicle in the 1950’s and have had a lot of success since that time.

In the Korean War, Toyota supplied Land Cruisers to the United States because Jeep was unable to fill orders that the US placed.

Unfortunately, that cooperation has not gone well for the United States because consumers stateside are unable to find a wide variety of Land Cruisers simply due to the fact that some of the models like the 70 series are not able to pass emissions tests as well as some crash tests. (not due to the vehicle being unsafe, but for the damage it could cause to other vehicles)

The Most Reliable Land Cruiser On the Market

The heavy-duty 70 Series is probably the most reliable Land Cruiser that can be found anywhere in the world. This model was introduced in the 1980’s and there are a lot of these 70 Series models that can be found internationally.

What makes this vehicle so reliable? Well, for starters the engine is a simple model that has no kind of computer or electronics inside. This means that it is going to be fairly simple to fix, no need for complicated manuals or computers to read what the other computer in your engine is saying.

While this simple engine may not have as much power as others on the marketplace, they make up for it with their incredible level of reliability.

The 70 Series Land Cruiser doesn’t waste time on things like “comfort”, because Toyota knows that the 70 Series is built to get work done. It’s a practical model that passes up most frills seen in newer cars for a vehicle that you know won’t break down on you, as long as you take care of it properly.

Unfortunately for some who really only use it in rugged scenarios, the 70 Series is seeing its use decreased due to those safety and emissions standards that continue to grow in today’s society.

The Land Cruiser 200 Series

If you are thinking of buying a Land Cruiser in North America, you are going to be “stuck” with the 200 Series. That’s not a bad thing by any means, but you should be aware of the limitations of being able to buy only one type of model.

Many consumers are using to being able to customize everything about their vehicle with different trim packages and different customization options; and that won’t be the case with the Land Cruiser.

It’s a premium product that really only has one offering here in North America, and the price is quite high. For that price, you are buying a premium and reliable vehicle that you can expect to last you for a long time, so maybe it is seen as more of an investment to some buyers.

The 200 Land Cruiser that is sold in the United States is a very luxurious version of an off-roading vehicle. If you are looking for an amazing mix of performance and a car that is still a premium product; the Land Cruiser is a great option.

It’s got a powerful 5.7L V8 engine that comes with 4 wheel drive. That is going to help you no matter what kind of environment you are driving in, and especially if you are someone who is going to get a heavy off-road use out of this vehicle.

That V8 engine doesn’t get the best mileage though, most estimates say that it will get about 15 miles per gallon which isn’t the best number, especially compared to some other SUV’s on the marketplace. As consumers start to be more conscious about their budget and their environment, this may be a deal breaker for some buyers.

The Land Cruiser offers a towing capacity of up to 8,000 pounds, which is quite impressive and will allow for a variety of campers or trailers to be towed behind you quite successfully as long as you know what you are doing.

Some buyers tend to under-utilize the off-roading features of the 200 Series due to the fact that it is simply such a nice vehicle. That makes sense on some level, because a lot of customers will not want to scratch up their premium vehicle.

Another option when it comes to buying the 200 Series is trying to find a used model that has been taken care of well. These vehicles will still have a lot of value in them because they are so reliable and they are designed to last so long.

Uses of the Toyota Land Cruiser

It’s interesting to note that many different kinds of people use the Toyota Land Cruisers effectively.

• Off-roading enthusiasts
• International Relief Organiations
• Mining / Heavy Duty Work Companies

The Toyota Land Cruiser is so simple that it allows for a lot of aftermarket modifications, meaning that they make excellent off-roading vehicles because people can customize them the way they want to. Their ability to tow a high capacity and ability to hold a decent payload also helps them be used by adventurers.

As mentioned, there are a lot of international programs that use Land Cruisers due to their reliability. When you think about international charity programs, you understand that they don’t want to spend unnecessary money and these Land Cruisers help them get through tough conditions while providing a long-lasting solution.

Obviously, if the Land Cruiser makes a good option for off-roading enthusiasts, they should probably be quite useful in the working world as well.

There are numerous mining companies across the world that use Land Cruisers as well as other industries that require heavy-duty SUV’s to get into difficult work sites that may be far back into the wilderness.

FAQ

When it comes to the Land Cruiser there are a lot of questions that can be hard to find the answers to. These are some of the most pressing questions that consumers have.

Is It Worth Buying a Land Cruiser?

Generally speaking, the Toyota Land Cruiser is a great vehicle to buy because it holds its value so well. This is an extremely reliable vehicle, so if you are looking to make a major investment, it makes sense to buy something that won’t depreciate in value quite as fast as some other vehicles might.

The biggest draw for buyers is the land cruiser reliability. As mentioned, this designed has been tested over time so that the consumer knows they are getting an extremely high quality product for the premium that they pay.

If you aren’t sure if this vehicle is right for you, you should compare it to other models on the marketplace and ask yourself what you are looking for. If you are able to pay a high premium for a vehicle that will give you some of the best heavy duty capabilities as well as some of the luxury comforts that you may be looking for; it will be highly likely that buying a Toyota Land Cruiser will make a lot of sense.

How Many Miles Will a Land Cruiser Last?

There are many people who are skeptical of the Toyota Land Cruiser because they think that vehicles will always deteriorate at a certain number of miles. The Land Cruiser is honestly one of the only exceptions to this rule in the modern marketplace.

The number of miles that your Land Cruiser is able to achieve is obviously an independent number. No one can tell you the exact number of miles that you will get out of a vehicle; however it should be noted that the Land Cruiser is one of the longest-lasting vehicles available on the planet.

It is not uncommon at all for Land Cruisers to still function at a high level well into the 300,000 range of miles. Again, these vehicles are being taken care of properly and receiving professional maintenance regularly. No matter what vehicle you drive, if you start to neglect it, it is not going to run that long.

However, the interesting part about Land Cruisers is that they do not simply start to die at 300,000 miles. There are all kinds of stories about Land Cruisers lasting well into the 500,000+ mile range and it’s not an insane claim to make that they can regularly reach these kinds of milestones in solid conditions.

You should always take care of your vehicle as well as you can, however with the Land Cruiser – you may be buying a vehicle that is an extremely long-term investment, something that could pay off for you quite well when you take care of your Land Cruiser and keep it running long into the future.

Do Land Cruisers Hold Their Value?

Yes, the Toyota Land Cruiser holds its value extremely well. According to Forbes, the average length of ownership of a Toyota Land Cruiser is over 10 years.

Keep in mind that number is only an average; which means that many people are holding on to their vehicles for a lot longer than that.

The fact that the Toyota Land Cruiser has built up such a reputation should mean that you should feel confident in buying one of their vehicles. To have a vehicle that you drive regularly for 10 years still have a lot of resale value is almost unheard of in today’s marketplace.

There are a few factors that go into the Land Cruiser’s exceptional resale value over time. One of the biggest factors is something that Toyota does intentionally. They have not done major re-designs to the Toyota Land Cruiser models in over a decade.

This means that these cars do not get compared to “this year’s model” because they are still so similar. That helps people who own older vehicles because they can sell what they have available and their listings do not look “outdated”.

This shows up when looking at models online. There are many people who say that the best land cruiser year falls in the time period of 1995-1997 because these models were more rugged and could handle even more off-roading and towing capabilities.

Other people say that the best Toyota Land Cruiser ever made falls between 2000-04 because of their more luxurious design. Either way you look at it, it’s impressive that these older models get so much respect, simply because of the long-lasting design of the Toyota Land Cruiser.

On top of that, the Toyota Land Cruiser is simply a reliable vehicle that will usually have more life in it than other vehicles do.

If you sell a different vehicle that has 200,000 miles on it, that vehicle may be approaching the end of its usefulness. If you sell a Land Cruiser that has 200,000 miles on it, the new owner may be able to expect something far higher out of the life of that vehicle.

Land Cruisers hold their value better than almost any other vehicle on the marketplace; so if you are looking to buy one and drive one for years – you may get a lot more than you expected on the back end when it comes time to finally sell your vehicle.

Why Should I Buy a Toyota Land Cruiser?

Many consumers take a “pro and con” mindset into their decision making process.

This helps people make a major investment or a major purchase because they know that nothing is perfect; but with a list like this they are able to figure out if the purchase will suit their individual needs.

Here are the pros and cons of Toyota Land Cruisers – a list that will help you figure out why you might want to buy a Land Cruiser.

#1. Powerful Engine

The new Land Cruiser models have a powerful V8 engine that gives them a ton of awesome performance when on the road and when off-roading.

Even though the Land Cruiser is a fairly heavy vehicle that can get heavier when you put passengers and cargo in it, it doesn’t feel sluggish thanks to this awesome engine model.

All of the power that the engine generates helps it for customers who are serious off-road enthusiasts or need a heavy duty SUV as well.

#2. Off-Roading Performance

Even though not everyone’s priority will be off-roading, some people need to use it for occasional adventures.

Regardless of your intended use, the Land Cruiser has a serious off-roading setup that will impress both casual adventurers and enthusiasts alike.

The full time four wheel drive system as well as the impressive amount of ground clearance makes the Land Cruiser a great choice if you are worried about any kind of adverse conditions or you simply want to hit the trails.

#3. Room for Passengers and Cargo

If you are looking for an SUV that can carry almost anything, the Land Cruiser is a great choice for you.

You can haul up to 8 passengers with this beast and the cargo space is biggest when the third row is down, but in either situation it is going to provide you with adequate storage to bring everything you need along with you in the vehicle.

This is one of the biggest positives for many buyers – the fact that they can get everyone they need from Point A to Point B is a big deal, and this car does it in luxurious and high-performing fashion.

#4. Comfortable & Confident Ride

For all of the Land Cruiser’s bulk, you may not expect it to drive quite as well as it does. The steering and handling that can be found in the Land Cruiser are some of the best that you can find in this class of SUV’s.

The Land Cruiser also has a smaller turning radius than you would expect, which allows it to maneuver in tight spaces.

On top of these great features, the Land Cruiser is also a quiet ride with a solid suspension that helps passengers feel comfortable regardless of wherever your next long road trip is taking you.

#5. Impressive Towing Capacity

When properly equipped, the Land Cruiser can tow up to 8,000 pounds of listed towing capacity. That’s a great number that is going to allow you to pull boats, campers, trailers – almost anything you want to.

Sure, there will be some of the heaviest models that are inaccessible to you, however that towing capacity number is going to let you be pretty flexible when it comes to picking out what you want to bring along for the ride.

You should feel comfortable and safe when towing with the Land Cruiser as it is a very reliable and powerful vehicle.

Now, let’s take a look at a few of the downsides just so you are aware of them.

#1. Fuel Economy

While the Land Cruiser does a great job of giving you power and comfort, it is not quite as great on the fuel tank. Maybe that is to be expected with a vehicle that is so big, but if your biggest concern is fuel mileage, this vehicle is not a great fit for you.

#2. A Few Inconveniences

Sometimes the Land Cruiser feels a bit inconvenient. It’s surprising that even some of the newest models do not allow you to connect your phone to the information system because that is such a standard amenity in so many other competitors.

It can also be a bit difficult to maneuver when you are trying to get people into the back of the vehicle. The second and third rows may be a bit hard to reach depending on your body size and how you are able to move around.

While these seem like small issues, and to some they are, it can definitely influence other buyers away from the Land Cruiser so you should consider them for your situation.

Conclusion

The Land Cruiser is an awesome vehicle model that has stood up to the test of time over the tens of years that the vehicle has been in use. It needs to be taken care of just like any other vehicle, but with proper care these Land Cruisers can last a long time.

They’ve got some serious off-roading and heavy duty chops, and they can survive in almost any environment. It’s a vehicle that can last a lifetime for people who can put the vehicle through some serious and heavy use.

However, that’s not to overlook the fact that the vehicle as a luxurious side to it as well when it comes to newer models. The Land Cruiser is simply one of the most, if not the most reliable vehicle in the world and has the track record and history to prove it.