6 Best & Worst Years For The Toyota Land Cruiser

The Toyota Land Cruiser is a V8 beast that is known all over the world for its premium experience and an excellent drive.

It has been in the market for a long time and has been loved by thousands over the years. A fun fact about this luxury SUV is that it has been in production since 1951.

The thing about the Land Cruiser is that it has had an extremely impressive past, with little to no complaints about each model.

You can purchase any model you like, but it would be better to avoid more problematic ones than the others.

Well, this article aims to take a deep dive into the best and worst years for Toyota Land Cruiser.

Let’s start by listing down all of them before I delve into the details.

Best Years for Toyota Land Cruiser:

1. 2020
2. 2019
3. 2021
4. 2012
5. 2009
6. 2002

Worst Years for Toyota Land Cruiser:

1. 2016
2. 2008
3. 2011
4. 2013
5. 2015
6. 2017

With all of the important years mentioned above, I’ll be moving on to the fun stuff.

Each one of the models mentioned above will be discussed in detail. This way you will know which model of the Land Cruiser will be more suitable for you.

List Of The Best Years For The Toyota Land Cruiser: What Years To Buy

Starting with the best models of the luxury SUV, you can pick from any one of these, and they will provide you with a memorable experience.

These years were selected after extensive research and consideration.

So, you don’t need to think twice or perform further research.

Let’s get straight into it!

#1 Best Year: 2020Toyota Land Cruiser

The best model of the Land Cruiser that has ever been in production is none other than the 2020 one. Toyota outdid itself with this one. It has all the great features that people love.

The most loved part of this model was the comfort. Although Toyota has opted for old-school seats, they prove to be extremely comfortable, even by modern standards.

The Land Cruiser is filled to the brim with great features, from traction control to safety systems.

Although the infotainment system is not as great as one could hope, the rest of the technology is outstanding.

The fuel economy is average at 15 mpg due to the V8 engine under the hood.

#2 Best Year: 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser

Coming up next is the 2019 model of the Toyota Land Cruiser.

This Land Cruiser is still a part of the same generation unveiled way back in 2008. Although the design has aged quite a bit, it still looks pretty good.

No matter how many cosmetic changes have been made, the 2019 model has the same durability as the original ones.

You must not think twice before taking this SUV on any terrain you want.

There have been a few complaints of the steering wheel being too heavy or the brakes being too sensitive, but they were so few that they can be ignored.

The SUV has many features and is extremely comfortable too.

#3 Best Year: 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser

Many of you may be wondering why this 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser model has earned a lower position.

The successor to both of the models mentioned above has earned the third spot in this article.

The reason for this is that there were no major changes made, which is why the 2020 and 2019 models are preferred.

The 2021 Land Cruiser does everything that the previous one could do. It is a beast on the road and off of it too.

Despite it being one of the bigger SUVs on the market, it has excellent handling and control.

It is packed with cutting-edge technology that will make driving safer. The cargo space is decent, and the third row can be stowed away for more space.

#4 Best Year: 2012 Toyota Land Cruiser

Coming in fourth place is the nine-year-old model of the Toyota Land Cruiser.

The main caveat of this model is that the third row can only be used for kids. The storage space is also less, which is why this model has earned the last spot on this list.

If you like to go off-road, well, this 2012 Toyota Land Cruiser is a fantastic option to consider then. It can handle any terrain, thanks to its all-wheel drive.

You are getting top-of-the-line safety features that will considerably reduce the chance of mishaps. Even the interior of this model is of high quality and looks and feels luxurious.

#5 Best Year: 2009 Toyota Land Cruiser

If you are on a budget and are looking to get a Toyota Land Cruiser, well, the 2009 model will be suitable for you.

You will not be compromising on most of the features, meaning it is an excellent buy.

Although many improvements were made, the fuel economy of the 2009 model is not good, with it being around 13 mpg in the city.

Apart from this issue, the Land Cruiser has been a great buy for many users. You get all of the great safety features, such as stability control, airbags, and sensors.

They will reduce the chance of accidents greatly. The driving experience is good enough, but it could have been better because the SUV rocks a V8 engine under the hood.

#6 Best Year: 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser comes right behind and takes the sixth and the final position on this article.

This model has good fuel economy, which is unusual to see in newer models. With it being a part of the previous generation, it is another option to consider if you are on a tight budget.

The 2002 model has amazing performance and works flawlessly on the road. Even this two-decade-old model has all the latest and greatest safety features.

The only caveat is that it is still expensive, despite being a few decades old. This is why it has earned the last spot on this article.

List Of The Worst Years For The Toyota Land Cruiser: What Years To Avoid

Next up, I’ll now be diverting our focus towards the models of the Land Cruiser that have worse performance.

It must be noted that even these years of luxury SUV are so reliable that you can consider most of them.

You will understand more once you read about them individually.

#1 Worst Year: 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser

One of the worst models of the Land Cruiser is the 2016 one. Although it was pretty good, some issues still frustrated a small number of users.

Owners of the 2016 Land Cruiser complained about rough shifting, an issue that has been discussed in the section below. This model also has problems with the brakes.

When applied, they would produce sounds, which could indicate a serious issue underneath. Although the problems can be fixed, they can be costly.

So, it is recommended to consider some other model. If you have this problem, you should get it checked as soon as possible.

#2 Worst Year: 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser came eight years later. This model of the SUV was the first one to feature the newer shape.

Although newer generations are normally known to have many issues, the 2008 one was pretty good. It did have some issues, which frustrated some of the buyers.

The AC system on the Land Cruiser would fail unexpectedly. Upon inspection, it was found out that the AC lines would be rusted and would also need to be replaced.

It is expensive to repair, and it is needed if you live in extreme weather conditions.

#3 Worst Year: 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser is more than a decade old at this point. It was another model that consumers loved due to its reliability.

This model had a few issues, which is why it has earned a spot on this list.

Owners complained about the engine stopping suddenly, yet another common Land Cruiser problem discussed below.

The sensors on the 2011 model of the SUV would also have sensor issues. They would glitch out, which resulted in inaccurate warnings being shown.

One owner reported about the hood-open indicator one, despite it being closed. Issues like these can be cleared by shutting the vehicle down and turning it on again.

#4 Worst Year: 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser

Coming in fourth place is the 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser. Now, this model is one you can consider without any second thought.

It had only one issue, which was related to the lights. Owners complained that the headlights were not installed properly, which would result in the shaking.

This is particularly dangerous because the headlights could come loose and stop working.

This can increase driving difficulty during the night. It also poses a danger if an oncoming vehicle cannot see you.

Regardless, if you have the issue of shaky headlights, it would be better to get them fixed or replaced as soon as possible.

#5 Worst Year: 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser is another one of the more recent models of the famous SUV. It was a pretty good and reliable model, except that its sound system would not work properly.

As it is common for people to listen to music or attend calls via Bluetooth, the system’s failure means they will not be able to do that.

One person reported the problem only, which means it is an isolated issue. It has earned this spot on this list so that you can be aware of what can go wrong with this particular model.

#6 Worst Year: 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser

Finally, coming in the sixth and final place is the 2017 model of the infamous luxury SUV.

With it being only five years old, as of writing this article, it is an excellent choice for anyone looking to get a decently priced Land Cruiser.

You must keep in mind one issue if you purchase this model. The drivetrain has caused issues for some users in the past.

They reported that it would vibrate excessively, which would make the driving experience not worth it. The problem can be fixed, but it will be an expensive one.

What Are The Most Common Problems With The Toyota Land Cruiser?

If you are looking for a list of the most common Land Cruiser issues that users have faced over the years, then you are in luck.

This section of the article will focus on them specifically. It is recommended to read this section in its entirety because it is extremely important.

1. Shifting Issues

Although the eight-speed transmission system is excellent, it did have new issues. The first major concern for many users was that the Land Cruiser would not shift gears smoothly.

Owners of the SUV reported that the vehicle would vibrate a lot when changing gears, which would make the experience of owning it less pleasurable.

It does not end there. As the automatic transmission system has been a feature in the Land Cruiser for quite some time now, the older models tend to develop issues.

The Land Cruisers introduced in the 1990s would shift to the wrong gear.

2. Engine Issues

The next issue on this list is even more serious, but it is not too common.

There have been reports of the 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser’s engine suddenly shutting down in the middle of the road.

Many consumers may find it strange because dealership technicians could not find the reason for the problem.

This means that the engine could shut down at any time, and you cannot do anything about it except getting a replacement.

3. High Oil Consumption

The previous generation of the Land Cruiser, which was in production before 2008, had the issue of high oil consumption.

Most of the users who complained about the problem also reported that their engines would start emitting blue smoke.

This indicates a leakage as the oil is being burned at some other place, causing the blue smoke to be produced.

The issue can sometimes be serious enough that the only solution is to get the engine replaced. This was the case for some of the users.

Unfortunately, this is the only option if you want to get your SUV back in usable condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What Is The Most Reliable Toyota Land Cruiser Engine?

You are not going to believe the answer to this question.

Despite rapid advancements in engine technology, even in 2022, the most reliable Land Cruiser engine is the diesel-powered heavy-duty 70 series, introduced way back in 1984.

Yes, that’s right. The six-cylinder turbocharged engine was a superb option if you are looking for something reliable. It has been praised by owners and critics alike.

Q2. How Long Will A Toyota Land Cruiser Last?

Whether it be the original Land Cruiser announced in the 1950s, or the latest one, all have been designed to last 25 years. That is an insane number.

If you are looking for mileage, you can get a minimum of 300000 miles from this SUV.

With proper maintenance and care, you can go well beyond this range without worrying about major issues.

Q3. Do Land Cruisers Hold Their Value?

Toyota vehicles have always been superb when reselling. Well, the Land Cruiser holds its value the best out of all large SUVs.

A Land Cruiser’s price can depreciate 40% in five years. The average for SUVs is 44%, which is quite different if you ask me.

Regardless, you can buy a Land Cruiser and sell it years later without having to worry about its value depreciating too much.

Q4. What Is Toyota Replacing The Land Cruiser With?

Some of you may be unaware that the Land Cruiser has been discontinued in the North American market. The reason was that sales were too low for them to viable.

Although this is a decision many of us may not agree with, Toyota has replaced the Land Cruiser with the Lexus LX 600.

It is another option for users looking to get a premium class SUV.

Q5. Which Is The Better Land Cruiser Or LX 570?

The LX 570 is the Lexus takes on the Land Cruiser. It takes the Land Cruiser and improves it in every single way. Many of you may have noticed that its body design is also roughly the same.

The Lexus variant, however, does add many features. The 570 also features a bigger engine, which can output 1200cc more than the Land Cruiser.

So, overall, the LX570 is the clear winner.

Conclusion

I hope this article helped you decide which model is suitable for you.

With the premium SUV being last introduced to the market in 2021, potential buyers have to turn around to use ones to fulfill their needs.

Well, if you have read this article, then you may be aware that out of all of the best and worst years for Toyota Land Cruiser, the 2020 model takes the clear lead.

It is not only one of the best models on the market but also one of the more recent ones. You will not be missing out on anything if you choose to buy it.