Toyota May Give the Land Cruiser Another Run in the U.S.

Chris Teague
by Chris Teague

Toyota killed the Land Cruiser for the United States after the 2021 model year, but the legendary off-roader has remained on sale elsewhere. The J300 Land Cruiser uses a twin-turbo V6 in place of its predecessor’s thirst V8 but remains a superbly capable SUV. Lexus still sells the related LX here, and we’re now hearing that Toyota may bring back the Land Cruiser, despite its slow sales numbers.


Speaking to MotorTrend, Toyota president of sales Jack Hollis said that the brand will likely bring the SUV back to the States, but he declined to elaborate on how or when it could happen.


“Obviously, Land Cruiser is such an important part of our heritage and has done such a great job.” He continued hinting that he’d seen designs and potential ideas for a new North America-bound Land Cruiser but said he had nothing to announce.


As MotorTrend notes, it’s a good idea to look past the current Land Cruiser generation for an answer on what a new model could be. Though it has gone to great efforts developing new EVs and advertising its progress, Toyota isn’t as deeply committed to moving to EVs as others and instead believes a mix of alternative fuels is best. Hydrogen is likely out of the picture due to limited availability, but a hybrid or plug-in hybrid Land Cruiser could be interesting, and that’s before we talk about an electric model. 

[Image: Toyota]

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Chris Teague
Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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  • ToolGuy ToolGuy on Dec 02, 2022

    Putting two and two together with the Grand Highlander writeup from yesterday, look for the Land Cruiser and the Grand Land Cruiser.

    • Analoggrotto Analoggrotto on Dec 03, 2022

      The largest Land Cruiser has rolled on an identical wheelbase for decades, it's doubtful they will stretch it. Otherwise the Grand Land Cruiser is the LX600 in it's gundam glory.

  • Sean Ohsee Sean Ohsee on Dec 04, 2022

    Bring back the 100 series and its I6 diesel.

  • FreedMike FreedMike on Dec 04, 2022

    The FJ Cruiser would be a better comeback candidate. The gang back at Toyota HQ must be looking at all those Broncos flying off Ford lots and kicking themselves.


    • Analoggrotto Analoggrotto on Dec 05, 2022

      Toyota is asleep most of the time. When they wake up we get flashes of quirky brilliance like said FJ Cruiser, or the GR Corolla, IS 500, GR86, LFA, LC 500, etc.


  • Neila Neila on Dec 06, 2022

    Please bring back the FJ!!! We love ours!

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