Toyota’s Land Cruiser story began with the BJ in August 1951. Since then, each new Land Cruiser series has carried a number, and eight of them run from the 40 to today’s 300. Some replaced the one before. Others, like the 70, ran alongside newer models for decades.
The years below are the debut dates Toyota gives for each Land Cruiser series. For the trucks sold in America, Toyota’s U.S. pressroom uses model years. However, for the 70, 200 and 300, the dates come from Toyota’s global newsroom.
1. 1960 Toyota 40 Series Land Cruiser
The 40 arrived in the U.S. in 1960 with angular styling, a flat white roof and wraparound rear windows. It also brought the first two-speed transfer case on a Land Cruiser. Before that, earlier models relied on an extremely low first gear for rough ground.
American buyers took to it. In fact, the Toyota pressroom history says the FJ40 was Toyota’s best-selling vehicle in the U.S. through 1965.
2. 1967 Toyota 55 Series Land Cruiser
Ranchers and survey crews wanted more room, so Toyota answered with the 55 wagon in 1967. It rode on a wheelbase 16 inches longer than before. It also had its own modern styling.
Under the hood sat an improved version of the 3.9-liter inline-six, per Toyota’s account.
3. 1980 Toyota 60 Series Land Cruiser
For 1980, Toyota replaced the 55 with the all-new 60, also known as the FJ60. Toyota says it offered more comfort while keeping the rugged ability buyers expected.
The 60 also marked a milestone. According to the U.S. pressroom, Toyota built its one millionth Land Cruiser that year.
4. 1984 Toyota 70 Series Land Cruiser
Toyota launched the 70 on November 2, 1984, as the successor to the 40. It came as soft-tops, vans and a fiberglass-top model. Toyota also offered five wheelbases, from 2,310 mm to 3,180 mm.
Engines included four-, five- and six-cylinder units, plus a 4.5-liter V8 diesel for export, says Toyota’s vehicle lineage page. In 1999, coil springs replaced the leaf springs up front. Then, on November 29, 2023, Toyota reintroduced the 70 in Japan with a 2.8-liter turbo diesel and a six-speed automatic.
5. 1991 Toyota 80 Series Land Cruiser
Toyota introduced the 80 in spring 1990 as a 1991 model. It brought coil springs to the front suspension, which improved the ride. It also added a full-time four-wheel-drive system that drivers could use on any surface, dry roads included.
Then, for 1993, Toyota gave it a new 24-valve, DOHC 4.5-liter inline-six. That engine made 212 horsepower, according to the pressroom history.
6. 1998 Toyota 100 Series Land Cruiser
The 100 arrived for 1998 and broke with tradition in two ways. First, it swapped the inline-six for a 4.7-liter V8 with 230 horsepower. Second, it had the first independent front suspension on a Land Cruiser.
Toyota kept improving the V8 during the run. For 2006, output rose to 275 horsepower, the Toyota pressroom says.
7. 2008 Toyota 200 Series Land Cruiser
The 200 reached U.S. showrooms for 2008. Globally, though, Toyota dates it from September 2007. It used a 5.7-liter DOHC V8 with 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque.
Toyota paired that power with luxury and technology, including its Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System. According to Toyota’s global newsroom, the 200 ran until spring 2021.
8. 2021 Toyota 300 Series Land Cruiser
Toyota revealed the 300 on June 10, 2021, in an online premiere centered on the Middle East. It rides on the new GA-F platform. Meanwhile, Toyota cut about 200 kg from the total weight, frame and body included.
Two twin-turbo V6 engines power it. The 3.5-liter gasoline V6 makes 305 kW (415 PS), while the 3.3-liter diesel makes 227 kW (309 PS). By the time of that 2021 launch release, Toyota had sold about 10.4 million Land Cruisers in 170 countries and regions.
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This article was created with the help of AI and was reviewed and edited by Fast Lane Only editors before publication.
