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Champagne 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series VX with the 2015 facelift, front three-quarter view, in Cavite, Philippines

Toyota Land Cruiser 200: 2008–2021 Guide

Champagne 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series VX with the 2015 facelift, front three-quarter view, in Cavite, Philippines

The Land Cruiser 200 Series was Toyota's full-size flagship 4×4 from late 2007 to 2021, and it's the last big V8 Land Cruiser sold in the US. Years here are US model years (2008 to 2021); global production started in September 2007. Here's what changed, which engine to look for, the recalls to check, how it rated for safety and what to watch when you buy one used.

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Land Cruiser 200 Series at a Glance

Years 2008–2021 US model years; built from 2007

US engine 5.7L V8 381 hp, 401 lb-ft

Diesel 4.5L twin-turbo V8 Australia, Middle East, Europe and others

Gearbox 6- or 8-speed auto 8-speed in the US from 2016

US towing 8,100 lb Per Toyota

Luxury twin Lexus LX 570 Same platform

What Makes the Land Cruiser 200 Different

The 200 Series replaced the 100 Series in 2007 and stayed in production for about 14 years. It kept a body-on-frame chassis with independent front suspension and a solid rear axle, so it rides like a luxury SUV on the highway while still handling rough trails.

In the US, you only got one powertrain: a 5.7-liter V8 with 381 hp and 401 lb-ft. Toyota says 90% of that torque arrives from 2,200 rpm, so it pulls hard from low revs. In addition, the KDSS suspension can free up the sway bars off-road, and Toyota says it cuts body lean by up to 50% on the road.

Outside North America, the 4.5-liter twin-turbo V8 diesel was the big seller, especially in Australia and the Middle East. As a result, the 200 earned a reputation as the go-to long-distance touring and towing wagon in those markets.

Dashboard and front seats of a 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 ZX with a beige interior
  • 381 hpUS 5.7 V8
  • 401 lb-ft5.7 V8 torque
  • 268 hp4.5 diesel V8 (2015+)
  • 479 lb-ftDiesel torque

What we like

  • Big, smooth V8 power in every version
  • Strong towing and off-road ability
  • Huge parts and accessory support

What to watch

  • Thirsty, especially the gas V8
  • Heavy, and it feels it in tight corners
  • US prices were steep when new, and used ones hold value

Land Cruiser 200 Series Engines and Power

US and Canadian trucks all had the 5.7 V8. Other markets got a wider mix, including a 4.7 or 4.6 gas V8 and the 4.5 diesel V8.

EngineYearsFound inOutput
5.7L V8 (3UR-FE)2008–2021US, Canada381 hp / 401 lb-ft
5.7L V8 (3UR-FE)2007–2021Middle East, Australia, Russia, others362 hp (270 kW) / 391 lb-ft (530 Nm)
4.5L twin-turbo V8 diesel (1VD-FTV)2007–2021Australia, Middle East, Europe, others261 hp (195 kW) early; 268 hp (200 kW) from 2015 / 479 lb-ft (650 Nm)
4.7L V8 (2UZ-FE)2007–2012Australia, Hong Kong; Japan to 2009271 hp (202 kW) / 302 lb-ft (410 Nm)
4.6L V8 (1UR-FE)2009–2021Japan from 2009; Australia, Hong Kong 2012–2014312 hp (233 kW) / 339 lb-ft (460 Nm)
4.0L V6 (1GR-FE)2007–2021Base GX in some marketsVaries by market
US trucks used a 6-speed automatic until 2015 and an 8-speed automatic from 2016. Diesel cars used a 6-speed automatic. The 4.0 V6 was also offered with a 5-speed manual in some markets.

One redesign, two facelifts

Land Cruiser 200 Changes by Year

The 200 Series got two facelifts in its long life. The second one, for 2016 in the US, is the bigger deal because it brought a new face, an 8-speed and standard active safety tech.

  1. 2008 Production starts in September 2007, and the 200 goes on sale as a 2008 model in the US with the 5.7 V8 and a 6-speed automatic. Most other markets get the 4.5 diesel or 4.7 gas V8.
  2. 2009 In Japan, the 4.6 V8 and a 6-speed automatic arrive in April, along with a new ZX grade.
  3. 2013 A first facelift (shown in late 2011) adds push-button start, HID headlights, a backup camera, navigation and Multi-Terrain Select as standard in the US.
  4. 2016 The second facelift brings a new front end, LED running lights, new taillights and a new interior. In the US, an 8-speed automatic replaces the 6-speed, and Toyota Safety Sense-P (pre-collision with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, auto high beams, radar cruise) becomes standard with blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert. The diesel gains a DPF and 5 kW in Australia.
  5. 2020 The US Heritage Edition marks 60 years of the Land Cruiser in America, limited to 1,200 trucks.
  6. 2021 The final year. Toyota confirmed the Land Cruiser would be discontinued in the US after the 2021 model year, and Australia sends the 200 off with the 400-unit Sahara Horizon.

Our verdict: if you can stretch to a 2016 or newer US truck, you get the 8-speed and Toyota Safety Sense-P. However, a well-kept 2013 to 2015 truck is still a great buy if you don't need the newer driver aids.

Land Cruiser 200 Series Special Models

The 200 Series didn't get a factory performance model, but two versions stand out to buyers today.

Black 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition with bronze wheels, rear three-quarter view

2020–2021

Heritage Edition (US)

1,200 units for 2020 Bronze BBS wheels Two rows, five seats

Built for the Land Cruiser's 60th year in America, it dropped the third row and cool box and added 18-inch bronze forged BBS wheels, a black grille and black leather with bronze stitching. It came in Midnight Black or Blizzard Pearl.

Blue 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series Sahara in its original pre-facelift form, front three-quarter view, in New South Wales

2007–2021

Sahara (Australia)

Top Australian grade Diesel V8 Seven seats

The flagship grade above GX, GXL and VX in Australia. Later Saharas added radar cruise, lane departure and forward-collision alerts. To send the 200 off, Toyota sold the 400-unit Sahara Horizon from March 2021 at A$131,896, with a dark grille and black semi-aniline leather.

Land Cruiser 200 Series Recalls

These are the notable US campaigns for the 200 Series. If you're looking at a Japanese import, also check Toyota Japan's 2023 fuel pump recall.

Model yearsCampaignWhat's affected
2008–2019 (built Jun 2007–Dec 2018)NHTSA 18V-887A faulty front-passenger seatbelt tension sensor could switch off the passenger airbags. The fix is a new seatbelt assembly. About 33,900 vehicles, including the Lexus LX 570.
2014–2015 (built Sep 2013–Mar 2015)NHTSA 20V-012The Denso low-pressure fuel pump impeller can crack, and the engine can stall. The fix is a new pump.
Japan-market UZJ200W and URJ202WToyota Japan recall 5404 (Nov 2023)Low-pressure fuel pump replacement on certain trucks. This matters for imported JDM cars.
Notable campaigns only, not a full list. Recall repairs are free at a Toyota dealer. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

Land Cruiser 200 Series Safety Ratings by Region

In the US, neither NHTSA nor IIHS crash-tested the 200 Series, which isn't unusual for a low-volume luxury SUV. ANCAP did test it in Australia.

RegionProgramRatingWhat it means
Australia, New ZealandANCAP★★★★★ (2011 test)33.09 out of 37 for cars with knee airbags (2007–2012) and all builds from 2013. ANCAP's listing for August 2015 to September 2021 builds carries the same score. Whiplash and pedestrian protection were rated Marginal.
Australia, New ZealandANCAP★★★★ (2011 test)GX and GXL built 2007–2012 without knee airbags scored 31.09 out of 37.
United StatesNHTSA, IIHSNot ratedNeither program published crash ratings for the 200 Series.
EuropeEuro NCAPNot ratedWe found no Euro NCAP result.
Ratings apply only to the body style and model years tested, and older scores are not comparable with today's tests.

Old scores aren't comparable. These ratings come from a 2011 test, and today's tests are much tougher, so don't compare them with a modern SUV's stars.

Buying a Used Land Cruiser 200 Series

The 200 Series has a strong reliability reputation, but it's a heavy truck that often lived a hard life towing or touring. Condition and records matter more than the year.

  • Recalls. Check the VIN for the 18V-887 seatbelt sensor and 20V-012 fuel pump campaigns, and ask for proof they were done.
  • Diesel injectors and DPF. On 4.5 diesels, injectors from 2015 can leak past their seat washers, and a set of eight is expensive. Diesels from 2015 also have a DPF and EGR system that can clog if the truck only did short trips.
  • Dust and oil. Owners report dust getting past the airbox on diesels, which can upset the airflow sensor and hurt a turbo. Also check for oil use and leaks at the oil filter housing.
  • Rust and driveline. Look for rust on the sills, floor pans and body mounts, torn CV boots, and clunks from the driveshaft U-joints.
Silver 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series VX Limited, rear three-quarter view, in Thailand

Our picks

  • Best overall: 2016–2021 (8-speed, Safety Sense-P)
  • Best value: 2013–2015 with records
  • Collector pick: 2020 Heritage Edition

Think twice

  • Trucks with open recalls
  • Diesels with no service history
  • Heavily modified or ex-tow trucks without records

Other Land Cruiser Generations

The 200 Series replaced the 100 Series and was followed by the 300 Series globally and, in the US, by the 250 Series from 2024. Jump to either, or see every Land Cruiser generation.

Land Cruiser 200 Series FAQ

What engine does the US Land Cruiser 200 have?

Every US and Canadian 200 Series has a 5.7-liter V8 with 381 hp and 401 lb-ft. It used a 6-speed automatic through 2015 and an 8-speed from 2016.

Which Land Cruiser 200 years have Toyota Safety Sense?

In the US, 2016 to 2021 models have Toyota Safety Sense-P as standard. In Japan and Australia, it arrived with the August 2015 facelift.

Why did Toyota stop selling the Land Cruiser in the US?

Toyota discontinued it in the US after the 2021 model year and didn't bring the 300 Series to North America. The name returned in 2024 on the smaller 250 Series.

Is the Land Cruiser 200 safe?

ANCAP gave it five stars in a 2011 test for cars with knee airbags and all builds from 2013, and four stars for early GX and GXL models without them. NHTSA and IIHS never rated it.

How many Land Cruiser Heritage Editions were made?

Toyota built 1,200 Heritage Editions for the 2020 model year in the US. Australia's Sahara Horizon was limited to 400.

Is the Land Cruiser 200 diesel reliable?

Generally yes, but check injector health, the DPF and EGR on 2015-on trucks, dust getting past the airbox, oil use and service records.

Sources

Keep Exploring

See every Land Cruiser generation side by side, or head back to the full Toyota lineup.

All Land Cruiser Generations
Toyota
Lexus
Land Rover
Photo credits
  1. Header image: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
  2. Dashboard and front seats of a 2015…: DY5W-sport, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
  3. Black 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition…: DestinationFearFan, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
  4. Blue 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series…: OSX, Public domain, cropped and resized.
  5. Silver 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series…: Chanokchon, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.