Picking The Best Toyota Land Cruiser Models Ever Made

Toyota's Land Cruiser is, often, considered the best Japanese 4x4, if not the best overall. In 2024, we saw the introduction of the eight-generation Toyota Land Cruiser, featuring a neo-retro design and a hybrid powertrain.

The Land Cruiser nameplate has been around, in one form or another, since 1954, and over the years, there have been plenty of awesome SUVs, wearing the nameplate. As far as rugged SUVs go, the Land Cruiser is among the most consistent. With decades of consistently providing dependable, SUV models, I decided to compile a list with the best Toyota Land Cruiser models ever made. 

While it's hard to go wrong with one of the best SUVs on the market, I think it is important to distinguish the best Land Cruiser models, in terms of reliability and the impact they've made.  

1. Toyota Land Cruiser J40 

Largely considered to be the first, true Toyota Land Cruiser, the J40 has become a desired classic, among 4x4 enthusiasts. Being a direct successor to Toyota's Jeep BJ (later dubbed Land Cruiser) military transport, the J40 was as basic and robust as a motor vehicle could be.

In a way, we are seeing a similar case with the fifth-generation Toyota 4Runner, scheduled to be replaced in 2025. With a simple, body-on-frame chassis, permanent all-wheel drive with locking differentials, and a short wheelbase, there are very few places the J40 Land Cruiser can't get to.  

This classic Toyota SUV is simple and easy to work on. Because the J40 Land Cruiser was produced for over 40 years, parts are still plentiful. In Japan, the Toyota J40 was produced between 1960 and 1984. Production in Brazil did not stop until 2001, and Brazilian models featured a locally-built, Mercedes diesel engine.

According to Classic.com, the Toyota J40 market is very diverse in terms of pricing. The average J40 price is $37,396, with project cars being as low as $4,5000 while highly-restored, custom examples can fetch close to $300,000. 

2.Toyota Land Cruiser 90 

In 1996, the Land Cruiser moved away from sharp edges, adopting a softer design language. This, however, was not at the expense of durability and off-road prowess. Still riding on the classic, body-on-frame chassis and with all-wheel drive on demand, the 90 Series Toyota Land Cruiser was just as capable as its predecessors. Having driven a 90 Series Land Cruiser, I can say it is the first Toyota SUV to properly combine comfort and utility.  

Toyota developed the 5VZ-FE V-6 engine specifically for big 4x4 models like the Land Cruiser 90, and in true Toyota fashion, it is as dependable as the rest of the car. While almost all Toyota models are champions in value retention, the market for 90 Series Toyota Land Cruiser isn't nearly as insane as, let's say the Mk4 Toyota Supra. In 2024, the average market value of the Land Cruiser 90 Series is $14,675, with the lowest recording sale of $6,727. 

3. Toyota Land Cruiser J70 

Among Toyota's many great decisions was to reintroduce older models that were extremely popular. They say old is gold and very few automobiles exemplify that as well as the J70 Land Cruiser. It was built from 1984 to 1999, but the model did not want to stay dead due to its popularity. Different versions of the Land Cruiser 70 made a comeback in 2007, among which the LC79 pickup truck, which was sold in single or dual-cab variants.  

In 2023, Toyota Land Cruiser 70 made a comeback in its original, full-size SUV form, although only for Japan. What made the 70 Series Land Cruiser so popular was its classic design and simplicity, combined with Toyota's legendary dependability. The J70 LC was fitted with 16 different engines, including diesel and petrol variants. Then, there is the SUV's inherent ability to go anywhere and come back.  

4. Toyota Land Cruiser 80 

While almost all Toyota Land Cruiser models boast superb reliability, the 80 Series Land Cruiser is truly the last Toyota 4x4 that can truly outlast you. By 1990, cars had begun to have more creature comforts but still weren't tech-heavy like the modern-day equivalents.

It was comfortable enough for the family, came with Toyota's legendary reliability, and could go anywhere. The engine is typically one of the main aspects when talking about a car's longevity, and the Land Cruiser 80 came with the last of the old guard of Toyota engines.  

Toyota Land Cruiser 80 was powered, exclusively by inline-six engines, but it is the 1FZ-FE that stands out as the range-topping powertrain. The unit is virtually indestructible and adheres to the basic principle of large displacement, modest power, and low-rev characteristics.

Despite being a petrol engine, its peak horsepower of 215 came at a diesel-like 4,600 RPM with max torque coming in at 275 pound-feet at 3,200 RPM. Small wonder 300,000 miles is nowhere near the limit of this engine. 

5. Toyota Land Cruiser 200 

The 200 Series Toyota Land Cruiser was an epic way to bridge old and new. On one hand, it still featured the body-on-frame chassis, which is still a staple in the Land Cruiser's design. On the other hand, Toyota J200 introduced a host of modern technologies.

It's the first full-size Toyota SUV to feature crawl control, multi-terrain ABS, downhill assist, Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System for better chassis articulation, smart entry, smart start, and more.

Sadly, some Land Cruiser 200 examples had issues, but those were mostly minor things like failing the A/C compressor due to rust, malfunctioning key fob, and headlight failure, which is serious. Early versions of the V-8 engines suffered from excessive oil consumption, but that was quickly addressed.

On the other hand, this is the last Land Cruiser to offer a V-8 engine and a base version that came with a manual transmission. Despite the aforementioned issues, the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 can easily last you over 250,000 with good care. 

About the author

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.