The Toyota Land Cruiser has been a name that has been tackling on and off the road for decades around the globe. However, 2021 seems to be the end of the line for us here in the U.S.
While that might be tough for fans of the big, pricey and rare SUV, the 2021 Land Cruiser has a special Heritage Edition to celebrate the 60th year of the big Ute.
The outside sports some vintage badging, a throwback grill and special bronze colored BBS wheels that grab attention. If it does not, the large Yakima cargo basket on the roof will, especially when parking in a garage.
Inside, the Land Cruiser emphasizes luxury with heated and ventilated perforated leather seats. There is wood trim and higher quality and soft trim pieces throughout the cabin.
The Land Cruiser is not flashy or packed with digital virtual gauges like some other big SUVs. It saw some updates a few years back that added large touch screen/NAV and a premium sound system. The cabin has buttons and knobs on the dash and center console; some might find it a bit busy.
The Heritage Edition has seating for five, or add the third row for an extra cost. The five-seat version opens a lot of space in the back because there are no extra seats folded to the side, like in the eight-seat version.
Take the Land Cruiser on the road and this gentle giant is a quiet cruiser. This is a large SUV, so it does take a few miles to get used to width if you are used to a smaller ride. The big Land Cruiser is no car-based crossover, so get ready for a higher center of gravity and some body lean on tighter turns.
The full-time 4WD keeps it a confident vehicle in all conditions. However, the Land Cruiser will happily conquer off-road conditions with ease if you ever wander off the beaten path. The V-8 engine and eight-speed automatic work nicely together, but it will try to upshift quickly for slightly better MPG.
Cost: $87,845; as tested $89,635
MPG: 13 MPG City; 17 MPG Highway (sticker). I managed 14.2 mpg in 280 miles of mixed driving.
Options: $425 special paint
Safety: Toyota Safety Sense P; pre-collision system with pedestrian detection; dynamic radar cruise control; lane departure alert; blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert; Multi-terrain monitor
Things to know: The Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition will take you anywhere you want to go in comfort. With a high price tag, the Land Cruiser will be a rare sight on the road.
Pros:
- The luxury SUV that goes anywhere and has Toyota quality.
- A pleasing ride over multiple road surfaces and street conditions.
- The Heritage Edition with five seats opens up to extra cargo space.
Cons:
- It has a nearly $90,000 price tag.
- Some will find the cabin dated when compared to others in the class.
- V-8 engine and full-time 4WD means low MPG.
