Every Toyota Land Cruiser, Ranked

Technically, the J20 generation entered production in 1955, but the first was sold here in America in 1958—the inaugural year Toyota sold cars in the United States. (The company moved exactly one here that year.) It was a tiny thing by modern standards, and its idea of premium features included things like a hard top and solid doors. Power came from a 3.9-liter inline-six that made around 100 horsepower, but that was plenty for an off-road-minded machine that weighed just a dash over 3000 pounds. It may take the last place on our list, but it planted the flag for Cruisers to come.

While the 55 Series may not have lasted as long as the 40 Series it was sold alongside, the J55 was the model that would define the Land Cruiser going forward. Designed as a more family-friendly alternative to the jeep-like J40, the J55 had two extra doors and 16 extra inches of wheelbase, giving it a more usable rear seat. The longer wheelbase also made it better suited to cruising down the highway than the J40, and both models saw an improvement in on-road driving come 1975 with a larger inline-six . Still, while it might have pioneered the concept of the Land Cruiser as family car, it was later generations that would perform the task to greater acclaim.

When the J250 launched in 2024, it was positioned as a return to the Land Cruiser’s roots as a tidier, more affordable machine. For the first time, the Land Cruiser sold in America was based on the smaller Land Cruiser Prado, up ’til now used just for the Lexus GX models. Wheelbase was unchanged versus the J200, but the exterior proportions were tightened up, and the cylinder count cut in half; a new hybrid 2.4-liter inline-four provided propulsion, though its 326 hp and 465 lb-ft don’t look bad next to the old V-8. The biggest news was the price, however; the new 250-Series started below $60,000, a massive change from the previous premium-oriented model. Of course, that came with a commiserate change in luxury; the new interior feels like a step down in some ways from the overbuilt, luxury-adjacent J200. Sales have certainly perked up, but whether history remembers the J250 as taking the path that saved the badge or leading it astray remains to be seen. For now, it takes sixth place.

The 200-Series arguably marked the pinnacle of the Land Cruiser’s prestige in the United States. Building on the precedent set by the 100-Series, the currently penultimate model piled on the toppings, adding off-road-ready features like the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System that used hydraulically linked stabilizer bars to reduce body roll or boost wheel articulation as needed, off-road cruise control features like downhill assist and crawl control, and a terrain selector system on top of even more luxury features. A 381-hp, 401-lb-ft V8 finally gave the Land Cruiser enough thrust to keep up with the Joneses, as well. But all that came at a cost: the 2021 model started at nearly $90,000, neck and neck the same as the Lexus version, the LX 570. By the time the J200’s service ended, the carmaker was selling fewer than 4000 a year in the States. It may have been a bit too fancy for a Toyota, so it winds up in fifth—but it certainly reached for the stars.

The Eighties marked big changes in America, and Toyota’s off-roader was no exception. The 60-Series was a little larger than the 50-Series it replaced, but it carried itself bigger, with a wider face and blockier proportions. More features were added to make it a better fit for buyers who placed more emphasis on comfort and practicality—but not at the expense of go-anywhere features like live axles. The 1988 model moved the design language away from the round headlights that had defined Land Cruisers prior to the rectangular ones that would define it going forward, while adding a new 4.0-liter inline-six making 155 hp and 220 lb-ft. It may not stand out on specs, but it was the J60 that many Gen Xers would spend their formative years in, and thus inspire legions of them to purchase SUVs when they reached car-buying age—driving a trend that would go on to change the automotive industry. Hence, fourth place.

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The 100 Series may have debuted early 30 years back, but its design still looks modern and fresh today—one of the two big reasons why it rounds out our podium finishers. The other lies under the hood, where for the first time, there were more than six cylinders to be found. The new 4.7-liter V8 made 230 hp and 302 lb-ft, with more than 240 of the latter available at just 1,100 rpm. (Horsepower would rise to 275 for 2006.) The changes, along with updates like an independent front suspension and a 50 percent increase in structural rigidity, helped push the Land Cruiser even further up the prestige ladder.

Previous generations of Land Cruiser had seen the model jump from utilitarian to proletarian, but the 80-Series is where it officially moved into the bourgeoisie. Full-time four-wheel-drive replaced the part-time system that had been on all prior L.C.s, making life easier for drivers; no more worrying about switching out of 2WD or locking hubs when the road turned bad, just driving on in confidence. Optional front and rear locking differentials improved capability, while a revised front suspension improved the ride, anti-lock brakes and airbags improved protection, and leather seats and a better stereo pushed the J80 close to luxury-car status. (Close to, not all the way; that role was now filled by the Lexus version, the LX.) Add in a 1993 engine update that pushed inline-six power to a finally respectable 212 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, and it’s pretty clear that the J80’s upgrade in positioning without sacrificing ability earns it second place on our list.

While the first L.C. in the U.S.A, would be something of a niche hit, the sequel turned out to be a much bigger deal. Power was improved, with the inline-six packing 125 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque; so was capability, as the Land Cruiser received its first low-range transfer case and build quality saw a boost. More important in the long run, however, was the new appearance. While not the biggest change from its forbear, the 40 Series face would go on to become iconic, its round headlights within a white grille surround defining the model in the public’s eye. The J40 proved popular enough to stay on sale in America for more than 20 years, and remains a frequent sight alongside vintage Land Rovers and classic Broncos in tony beach towns across the land. The 40 Series made the Land Cruiser legendary—and that’s why it takes the top spot in this ranking.