Vehicle Spotlight: 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Celebrates 60 Years

Interesting things are happening over at Toyota. The legendary Supra was recently reintroduced, the 2020 Sequoia is joining the TRD Pro lineup (arguably a growing dominant series in the off-road division), and it seems every year another model gets a revamp. (Have you seen what they’ve done with the boring old Corolla? Or the Yaris—which, dare we say, almost looks…cool?)

The Toyota Land Cruiser, boasting six decades of high praise in the overland and off-road segment, isn’t missing out on the modern treatment, either. According to the Japanese badge, this beloved SUV is heading back under the knife for the next year. And while the proposed updates to the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser aren’t necessarily extensive, they are exciting, with some noteworthy changes happening under the hood.

A special Heritage Edition also joins the roster for 2020, so let’s take a little trip down memory lane to revisit what makes the Toyota Land Cruiser such a special breed.

60+ Years of Rugged Capability

If you’re familiar with the Land Cruiser’s history, you’ll remember that the model was originally introduced as a Jeep Wrangler-esque vehicle that hit the US market in 1957. In fact, the Land Cruiser’s origins are pretty intense…

Early Cruiser prototypes actually date back to the Japanese military’s occupation of the Philippines in 1941. Birthed originally as the AK10, the granddaddy of Land Cruisers was essentially a Jeep-like body on a one-ton frame. The more familiar Toyota BJ popped up in the ‘50s, when a U.S.-occupied Japan was tasked with developing Jeep-like military trucks to assist South Korean forces during the Korean War. Jeep claimed trademark infringement on the style (a battle the automaker still seems to fight with other challengers), hence the official name-change to Land Cruiser in 1954. By the 1960s, the iconic FJ40 model had made its way onto American shores, quickly gaining fans and becoming the best-selling Toyota in the U.S.

Eventually, like many rugged off-roaders, the Land Cruiser began to adopt more wagon styling cues, eventually morphing into the more familiar-looking SUV platform. Still capable of hitting the trails, it lost its wartime Jeep-nemesis looks, and began inching further and further upmarket like its old-school Land Rover Disco and Defender competitors.

Current Model Specs

Today, spotting a Toyota Land Cruiser rolling down Main Street is getting rare, as the model tops Toyota’s lineup at an eye-watering $85,015. While much of that asking price may be a result of cashing in on the vehicle’s history, it does boast some impressive specs.

Aesthetic appeal aside, the current 2019 Land Cruiser packs a 5.7L V8 engine pushing out 381-hp and 401 lb.-ft. of torque. Backed by a beefy 6-speed transmission, an independent front suspension, and solid rear axle, the body-on-frame Land Cruiser remains a natural Overland heavy weight. (I say “Overland,” because that market positively flocks to this vehicle platform thanks to its storage capacity and proper performance goodies.) In fact, the guys over at The Fast Lane Truck declared the 2019 model as the Ultimate Overlanding Rig. Although, they did invest in a package that would total up to $150,000 to earn that title.

Inside, the SUV sports the ultimate in luxury comfort, with plush leather seating and more buttons, screens, cameras, and safety tech than your average TV-show space ship.

What’s New for the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser?

So, you’ve got a good drivetrain, a solid suspension, and an aftermarket ready to supply—why would Toyota want to change anything? Well, at almost $20k more than its direct competitors, the combined 15 mpg fuel economy rating desperately needs updating. Rumor has it, the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser will get the 3.5L twin-turbo V6 from the Lexus LS 500, mated to a 10-speed transmission. (The current model uses an 8-speed auto.) There are also whispers of a possible hybrid version as well.

Now, before we get too fussy, let’s take into consideration that the loss of displacement is no step backward in performance. In the LS 500, this engine puts out 416 hp and 442 lb.-ft. of torque and gets an estimated 21 combined mpg—a noticeable improvement over the Land Cruiser’s current numbers. In addition to the powertrain adjustments, the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser should see an updated infotainment system and added safety tech. Also, per the released dimensions, it appears the new model grew 1.6 inches taller, but shaved 0.1 inches from its wheelbase.

2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition

As we said, a 60-year celebratory Heritage Edition is on the docket as well. Continuing with tradition, the special trim keeps the 381-hp V8 and 8-speed tranny, standard luxury appointments, and safety bells. However, it adds full-capability 4WD, exclusive trim and badging, an increased cargo area (due to having only a 2-row configuration), and unique styling cues like a special front grille with vintage logo and 18-inch bronze-finished wheels.

Far from the Average Joe’s off-road vehicle at such a high price point, the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser is still an impressive beast. An admirable platform with a respected history, design, and reputation, we can’t say we wouldn’t cough up the capital if we had it. And, if you can swing $85k+ for a rig you would beat the ever-living hell out of? Well, you’re likely living life right.