Earlier in 2020, reports on the Toyota Land Cruiser being discontinued for the 2021 model year started surfacing. The automaker never confirmed the reports that time, so it was unclear whether there is truth to the rumors.
Fast forward to today, an unnamed partner in a Toyota dealer franchise has confirmed the model will not be returning to the United States market for the 2022 model year. In short, the coming version for the 2021 model year will be the last for the long-running nameplate.
“It’s gone for 2022, but I think it’ll be back soon, and way more modern and luxurious,” the dealer source told online publication Car and Driver.
In response to reports about the end of production for the Land Cruiser, Toyota issued a statement confirming the news.
The statement read: “The Toyota Land Cruiser has been a legendary name for more than 60 years. While it will be discontinued in the United States after the 2021 model year, we remain committed to the large SUV segment and will continue to explore future products that celebrate the Land Cruiser’s rich off-road history. We encourage loyal enthusiasts and intrepid adventurers to stay tuned for future developments.”
The current (and seemingly final) version of the Land Cruiser in the market is the 200-series, which was first launched for the 2008 model year. It has not had a major redesign in recent years; meaning, the well-loved behemoth is long overdue for a styling and tech upgrade as well as an upgrade in terms of fuel economy (the Land Cruiser has a rating of 14 mpg combined).
Should the Land Cruiser end up getting revived in a new form in the future, it will join a number of other Toyota models that have undergone the same process. The list includes the Supra and the Venza, with the latter being brought back for 2021 after its 2015 discontinuation.
One reason why the Land Cruiser is making its exit could be due to its lackluster sales. In 2019, Toyota sold only a total of 3,536 Land Cruiser units, a 9.7% increase from 2018 but a significantly low number for its 2.4 million overall sales.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
