Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota Land Cruiser is the name Toyota has used since 1954 for its toughest 4x4s, and today it's sold in more than 190 countries and regions. Because it has lasted so long, several Land Cruiser lines now live side by side: the flagship wagons (80, 100, 200 and 300 Series), the 70 Series workhorse, and the 250 Series that US buyers get. Pick your year below to jump to the right generation, or read on for the history and which one suits you.
Toyota Land Cruiser at a Glance
First built 1951 BJ prototype; named Land Cruiser in 1954
Global sales About 12.4 million By March 2026, incl. Lexus LX and GX
Markets 190+ Countries and regions
US model today 250 Series 2024 on, 326-hp hybrid
Global flagship 300 Series Twin-turbo V6, not sold in the US
Longest-running 70 Series In production since 1984
Toyota Land Cruiser Generations
Land Cruiser generations overlap, because Toyota often runs more than one line at once. Years shown are production years for the classics, US model years for the 100, 200 and 250 Series, and main-market years for the 70 and 300 Series, which were never sold new in the US. Pick a card to open its full guide.
1955–1960
20 Series
J206 model years
The first export Land Cruiser, and the one that reached the US in 1958.
Guide coming soon
1960–1984
40 Series
J4025 model years
The FJ40 icon: short, simple, tough, and now a serious collectible.
Guide coming soon
1967–1980
55 Series
J5514 model years
The first Land Cruiser designed as a proper station wagon.
Guide coming soon
1980–1990
60 Series
J6011 model years
The boxy family wagon; the FJ62 added fuel injection and an automatic.
Guide coming soon
1984–present
70 Series
J7043 model years
The workhorse that never went away. Still built, but never sold new in the US.
Guide coming soon
1990–1997
80 Series
J808 model years
Solid axles, available lockers and a huge aftermarket. An overlanding favorite.
Guide coming soon
1998–2007
100 Series
J10010 model years
V8 power and independent front suspension made it a smooth long-distance cruiser.
Read the J100 guide →
2008–2021
200 Series
J20014 model years
The last big V8 Land Cruiser, and the last one sold in the US before the gap.
Read the J200 guide →
2021–present
300 Series
J3006 model years
Today's global flagship with twin-turbo V6 power. Not sold in the US or Canada.
Read the J300 guide →
2024–present
250 Series
J2503 model years
The Prado-based Land Cruiser that brought the name back to the US with a hybrid.
Read the J250 guide →
Toyota Land Cruiser History
The Land Cruiser started as a military-style prototype and turned into one of the most widely sold 4x4s on earth. Here are the moments that shaped it.
- 1951 Toyota builds the BJ prototype. That July, test driver Ichiro Taira drives it up to the sixth station of Mount Fuji, the first vehicle to get that high.
- 1954 The BJ is renamed Land Cruiser.
- 1955 The 20 Series arrives and starts Toyota's export push.
- 1958 The Land Cruiser goes on sale in the US. By 1965, it was Toyota's best-selling model there.
- 1960 The 40 Series launches. The FJ40 stays in Japanese production until the mid-1980s and becomes the classic Land Cruiser shape.
- 1984 The 70 Series workhorse arrives, and it's still in production today.
- 1990 The 80 Series brings full-time 4WD and coil springs to the flagship wagon.
- 1998 The 100 Series adds a V8 and independent front suspension.
- 2008 The 200 Series goes on sale in the US with a 5.7-liter V8.
- 2019 Global Land Cruiser sales pass 10 million.
- 2021 The Land Cruiser turns 70 and the 300 Series launches. However, 2021 is also the last model year for the US Land Cruiser for a while.
- 2024 The Land Cruiser returns to the US as the 250 Series hybrid, after a two-year gap.
Which Land Cruiser Generation Is Right for You?
The right Land Cruiser depends on whether you want a classic, a trail rig, a tow vehicle or a new car with a warranty. Here's how each generation lines up.
| Generation | Years | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Series | 1955–1960 | Museum-grade collectors; rare and costly |
| 40 Series | 1960–1984 | Vintage weekend trail rigs and restomods; watch for rust |
| 55 Series | 1967–1980 | A quirky vintage wagon that costs less than an FJ40 |
| 60 Series | 1980–1990 | An affordable vintage family hauler |
| 70 Series | 1984–present | Global work and overland use; only old imports reach the US |
| 80 Series | 1990–1997 | Serious off-roading with solid axles and factory lockers |
| 100 Series | 1998–2007 | Comfortable V8 touring and strong value for the money |
| 200 Series | 2008–2021 | The newest V8 Land Cruiser for towing and road trips |
| 300 Series | 2021–present | Buyers outside North America who want the flagship |
| 250 Series | 2024–present | US buyers who want a new Land Cruiser with a warranty |
Our take: in the US, the 100 Series is the sweet spot for value, the 80 Series for trail builds, and the 250 if you want new. Outside North America, the 300 Series is the one to stretch for.
Land Cruiser Owners Community
Land Cruiser owners love to talk builds, trips and maintenance, from FJ40 restorations to 250 Series overland setups. Share your rig, ask questions and swap tips with other owners.
- 80 Series head gasket and preventive maintenance
- 100 Series timing belt and AHC suspension
- Frame rust checks on older trucks
- Lift kits, tires and suspension upgrades
- Lockers, gearing and recovery gear
- Overland builds: drawers, fridges and rooftop tents
- 250 Series hybrid: towing, fuel use and trim choice
- Importing a 70 Series under the 25-year rule
Toyota Land Cruiser FAQ
Is the Toyota Land Cruiser still sold in the US?
Yes. After a gap for the 2022 and 2023 model years, the Land Cruiser came back for 2024 as the 250 Series, with a 326-hp hybrid. The bigger 300 Series isn't sold in the US; its closest US relative is the Lexus LX 600.
What's the difference between the Land Cruiser and the Prado?
The Prado has long been the smaller, lighter Land Cruiser line, next to the full-size wagons like the 200 and 300 Series. The 250 Series is a Prado, but the US and Canada simply call it Land Cruiser.
Which Land Cruiser generation is the most reliable?
There's no official ranking. Owners most often point to the 100 Series and the 80 Series, while the 70 Series is famous worldwide for durability.
Can I buy a 70 Series Land Cruiser in the US?
Not new. Toyota never sold the 70 Series in the US, so only vehicles at least 25 years old can be imported legally.
When did the Land Cruiser come to the US?
In 1958. By 1965, it was Toyota's best-selling model in America.
How many Land Cruisers have been sold?
About 12.4 million worldwide by the end of March 2026, counting the Lexus LX and GX, according to Toyota.
Keep Exploring
Explore Toyota's full lineup, or see what Lexus, Jeep and Land Rover build to take on the Land Cruiser.
Photo credits
- Header image: Sulthan Naufal, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- White 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 250 VX,…: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- White Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series parked…: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Black 2014 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series…: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Silver 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser 100 Series…: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.