When Toyota decided to discontinue the Land Cruiser for the US market, it came as a surprise. Although this full-size SUV hasn’t been one of the brand’s best sellers, it was popular with those who wanted a luxury vehicle that didn’t scream “luxury.” And the Land Cruiser is something that came with the reliability and robustness of Toyota.
Why is the Land Cruiser discontinued in the US?
Ultimately, low sales figures led to the demise of the Land Cruiser SUV in the United States. When Toyota announced the 300 Series model, the brand also made the decision to no longer offer it here in the United States. And for Toyota enthusiasts, that news was a huge disappointment.
Not that the Land Cruiser is a bad SUV. In fact, one of the problems might have been that it’s too good. Because owners keep their models for long periods of time, Toyota dealers had trouble moving inventory.
According to autoblogRumors have been circulating that the Toyota Land Cruiser could return to American shores.
Will Toyota sell a 300 Series Land Cruiser in the United States?
At the Lexus LX600 media event in January, some were understandably curious about the future of the Land Cruiser in the United States. In the past, Toyota has been pretty vague about what the plan is. A spokesperson claims that “we’re listening carefully to customer feedback,” so perhaps if there’s demand, Toyota will bring back its rugged SUV.
For now, the new LX600 is the closest thing to a Land Cruiser that’s available in the United States. And to say the least, it lacks the subtle styling of the Toyota variant. Plus, it certainly commands a higher price tag thanks to the luxury the Lexus brand provides.
One would have to assume that Toyota is closely watching the competition and its own lineup to see if there’s room for a new Land Cruiser in the US market. The 4Runner is certainly doing pretty well, as are other beefy SUVs like the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler.
If past sales figures are any indication, maybe there just isn’t enough interest in a simple and seemingly indestructible full-size SUV from Americans. People in this part of the market want comfort and refinement, not necessarily a vehicle built for some of the harshest conditions on the planet.
Maybe the Toyota Land Cruiser is too expensive
The last Toyota Land Cruiser sold in the United States had a starting price of more than $85,000. By comparison, models like the Kia Telluride and Ford Explorer have much easier MSRPs to swallow. When you’re paying nearly $100k for a vehicle, more aggressive and luxurious styling can be expected. And that’s not something the Land Cruiser is known for.
Only Toyota knows what its plans are for the future of the Land Cruiser. In the global market, it is quite popular and has a reputation for longevity. Maybe an electrified Land Cruiser will return down the road, time will tell.