The 1990-1997 Land Cruiser 80 (J80) is the best Land Cruiser generation, with the 1960-1984 J40 at #2 and the 70 Series at #3. Generations are ranked on off-road hardware, documented durability and significance; the Prado line is counted once, through the 2023 J250.
Photo: Ethan Llamas / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best-rounded classic Land Cruiser.
Years: 1990-1997 (unveiled October 1989 at the Tokyo Motor Show; production ended in Japan in 1997)Drivetrain: Full-time four-wheel drive in North America and Europe; part-time still available in Japan, Africa and AustraliaLockers: Front and rear axle lockers (code k294) offered as an option from 1993Engines: 1993: 4.5 L six-cylinder 24-valve petrol 1FZ-FE added to the 3F-E petrol and the 1HZ and 1HD-T dieselsDakar: In 1996 a pair of Land Cruisers finished first and second in the unmodified production classSold in: North America, Europe, Japan, Africa and Australia; withdrawn from Canada in 1996
The J80 was unveiled in October 1989 and offered full-time four-wheel drive in North America and Europe. Front and rear axle lockers were optional from 1993, and a pair of Land Cruisers took first and second in the unmodified production class at the 1996 Dakar.
Go ifSolid axles, factory lockers and a proven six-cylinder
Skip ifYou want independent front suspension and a modern cabin
Why #1 over #2: Its lockers and proven six-cylinder beat the J40 for real-world capability.
2
1960-1984 Toyota Land Cruiser 40 (J40)
Photo: Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe icon.
Years: 1960-1984 in most markets (Brazilian Bandeirante built until 2001)Transfer case: Fitted with a two-speed transfer case, the first Land Cruiser with low-range gearingEngine: 3.9 L Type F six-cylinder petrol with 93 kW (125 hp) at launch; 4.2 L 2F from 1975Milestones: Global production passed 50,000 in 1965; the 100,000th Land Cruiser was sold in 1968Sold in: Japan, the United States (last FJ40 imports were 1983 models), Canada (BJ42 in 1984), West Germany from 1978 and Brazil as the Bandeirante
The J40, launched in 1960, was the first Land Cruiser with low-range gearing through a two-speed transfer case. Global production passed 50,000 in 1965 and the Brazilian Bandeirante version ran until 2001.
Go ifThe classic short-wheelbase Land Cruiser
Skip ifYou need a modern safety package
Why #2 over #3: Its low range and long history beat the 70 Series for significance.
3
Toyota Land Cruiser 70 (J70)
Photo: sv1ambo / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe long-runner.
Years: 1984 onward (it replaced the 25-year-old 40 Series and is still produced)Axles: 1999: the live front axle changed from leaf springs to coil springs, with longer rear leaf springsEngine: 2007: the 4.5 L 1VD-FTV, the first Toyota turbo-diesel V8, introduced for the 70 SeriesJapan: Japanese sales ended in June 2004 and the 70 Series returned to Japan in 2023 with the 1GD four-cylinder turbo-dieselSold in: Australia, the Middle East and Africa, plus Japan again since 2023
The 70 Series replaced the 25-year-old 40 Series in 1984 and is still produced. The live front axle moved to coil springs in 1999, and in 2007 it received the first Toyota turbo-diesel V8.
Go ifA workhorse that has never gone out of production
Skip ifYou want a comfortable family wagon
Why #3 over #4: Its solid-axle layout and unbroken production beat the J300 for the traditional job.
4
2021 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 (J300)
Photo: TTTNIS / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe current flagship.
Years: 2021 onward (unveiled 9 June 2021)Platform: GA-F body-on-frame platform; total weight cut by 200 kg compared with the J200Engines: 3.4 L twin-turbo V6 petrol with 415 PS (305 kW) and 3.3 L twin-turbo V6 diesel with 308 PS (227 kW)Off-road: Approach angle of 32 degrees and ground clearance of 230 mm; GR Sport adds front and rear differential lockingSold in: Japan, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Philippines, South Africa, Australia and Indonesia; not sold in the United States or Canada
The J300 was unveiled on 9 June 2021 on the GA-F platform, cutting 200 kg from the J200. It has a 32-degree approach angle and 230 mm of ground clearance, and the GR Sport adds front and rear differential locking.
Go ifThe newest full-size Land Cruiser
Skip ifYou live in the United States or Canada, where it is not sold
Why #4 over #5: Its lighter platform and V6 twin-turbos beat the J200.
5
2007-2021 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 (J200)
Photo: Ethan Llamas / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe V8 luxury cruiser.
Years: 2007-2021 (entered production in September 2007)Off-road kit: CRAWL off-road cruise control, Downhill Assist Control, multi-terrain ABS and KDSS for greater wheel articulationEngines: North America: 5.7 L 3UR-FE V8 with 386 PS and 544 N-m; a twin-turbo V8 diesel was optional in other marketsDakar: Team Land Cruiser Toyota Auto Body took nine consecutive T2 class wins from 2014 to 2022 with the J200Sold in: Japan, North America (until 2021), the Middle East, UK (until 2015), Australasia and China (2008-2016)
The J200 entered production in September 2007 with CRAWL, Downhill Assist Control and KDSS for wheel articulation. A Land Cruiser J200 took nine consecutive Dakar T2 class wins from 2014 to 2022.
Go ifA full-size luxury Land Cruiser with V8 power
Skip ifYou want the lighter J300 platform
Why #5 over #6: Its off-road electronics and Dakar record beat the J60 on technology.
6
1980-1990 Toyota Land Cruiser 60 (J60)
Photo: Cutlass / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe wagon that went upmarket.
Years: 1980-1990 (Venezuela continued until 1992)Comfort: Air conditioning, a rear heater and an upgraded interior added to compete in the emerging SUV marketEngines: The 2F petrol carried over from the 40 Series; 4.0 L 2H and 3.4 L 3B diesels added; 4.0 L 3F-E fuel injection from 1987Japan: The FJ62G VX of 1987 let it be sold in Japan as a passenger vehicleSold in: Most markets; sold in Europe as the Land Cruiser Wagon Van
The J60 added air conditioning, a rear heater and an upgraded interior in 1980 while keeping the 2F petrol from the 40 Series. The FJ62G VX of 1987 let it be sold in Japan as a passenger vehicle.
Go ifThe first comfortable wagon that still went off-road
Skip ifYou want airbags and ABS
Why #6 over #7: Its classic wagon character beats the J250 for feel, but the J250 is newer.
7
2023 Toyota Land Cruiser 250 (J250)
Photo: Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe retro-styled current one.
Years: 2023 onward (revealed 2 August 2023)Drivetrain: Full-time four-wheel drive with a Torsen centre differential and manual locking; electronic locking rear differential standardOff-road: Approach angle of 31.0 degrees, departure angle of 22.0 degrees and ground clearance of 221 mmPowertrain: North America: hybrid i-Force Max with a turbocharged 2.4 L four-cylinder; Australia: 2.8 L 1GD-FTV turbo-dieselSold in: Japan as the Land Cruiser 250, North America as the Land Cruiser, and Australia as the Land Cruiser Prado
The J250 was revealed on 2 August 2023 with full-time four-wheel drive, a Torsen centre differential and an electronic locking rear differential as standard. North America gets a 2.4 L hybrid; Australia sells it as the Land Cruiser Prado.
Go ifThe current Land Cruiser sold in North America
Skip ifYou need the full-size three-row Land Cruiser
Why #7 over #8: Its standard locking differentials beat the J100 for off-road use.
8
1998-2007 Toyota Land Cruiser 100 (J100)
Photo: Vauxford / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe first with independent front suspension.
Years: 1998-2007 (introduced January 1998)Suspension: First Land Cruiser with independent front suspension, which limited off-road capability; the solid-axle 105 was offered alongside in some marketsEngine: First Land Cruiser with a V8, the only engine in North AmericaLocker: Selectable rear axle differential locker optional for model years 1998-1999Sold in: North America (V8) and the UK and Ireland as the Land Cruiser Amazon from 1998 to 2007; the 105 in Africa, Australia, Russia and South America
The J100 was introduced in January 1998 as the first Land Cruiser with independent front suspension and the first with a V8. The suspension limited off-road capability, so the solid-axle 105 was sold alongside it in some markets.
Go ifA road-biased Land Cruiser with a V8
Skip ifYou want solid axles
Why #8 over #9: Its V8 and rear locker option beat the J55 for capability, though independent front suspension gives up solid-axle toughness.
9
1967-1980 Toyota Land Cruiser 55 (J55)
Photo: Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe original wagon.
Years: 1967-1980Body: Toyota calls it the first real station wagon in the Land Cruiser seriesFrame: First Land Cruiser with fully enclosed box frame membersWheelbase: 2,700 mm, longer than the FJ40Sold in: Mainly North America and Australia
The J55 ran from 1967 to 1980 and is called by Toyota the first real station wagon in the series. It was the first Land Cruiser with fully enclosed box frame members.
Go ifThe first Land Cruiser station wagon
Skip ifYou want modern brakes and steering
Why #9 over #10: Its box frame and wagon body beat the J20 on usability.
10
1955-1960 Toyota Land Cruiser 20 (J20)
Photo: Alex V from Los Angeles County, USA;Cropped and rotated by uploader Mr.choppers / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe first export model.
Years: 1955-1960 (replaced by the 40 Series in 1960)Engine: 3.9 L Type F six-cylinder petrol with 99 kW (135 PS)Transmission: No low-range transfer case; synchromesh on third and fourth gearsBrazil: FJ25 production began in Brazil in 1958, the first Toyota vehicle built outside JapanAustralia: Imported into Australia from 1959 as the FJ25/28, the first Japanese vehicle regularly exported there
The J20 arrived in 1955 with a 3.9 L Type F six-cylinder and no low-range transfer case. FJ25 production in Brazil began in 1958, the first Toyota vehicle built outside Japan.
Go ifThe earliest civilian-style Land Cruiser
Skip ifYou want low-range gearing
How we ranked these
We ranked each generation on off-road hardware such as axle layout, locking differentials and low-range gearing, plus documented durability and its significance in the Land Cruiser record. The Prado line (the light-duty 70 variants and each later Prado generation up to the J250) is counted once, through the J250. The chart shows the year each generation was introduced. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best Toyota Land Cruiser generation?
The 1990-1997 J80 ranks first: it combined solid axles, optional front and rear axle lockers from 1993 and a 4.5 L six-cylinder petrol, and a pair of Land Cruisers took first and second in the 1996 Dakar unmodified production class.
Which Land Cruiser was the first with low-range gearing?
The J40, launched in 1960, was fitted with a two-speed transfer case and was the first Land Cruiser with low-range gearing.
Which Land Cruiser has been in production the longest?
The 70 Series has been produced since 1984. Japanese sales ended in June 2004 and it returned to Japan in 2023.
Which Land Cruiser was the first with independent front suspension?
The 1998-2007 J100, which also brought the first Land Cruiser V8. The solid-axle 105 was sold alongside it in markets including Africa, Australia, Russia and South America.
Year introduced at a glance
1955-1960 Toyota Land Cruiser 20 (J20)1,955 year
1960-1984 Toyota Land Cruiser 40 (J40)1,960 year
1967-1980 Toyota Land Cruiser 55 (J55)1,967 year
1980-1990 Toyota Land Cruiser 60 (J60)1,980 year
Toyota Land Cruiser 70 (J70)1,984 year
1990-1997 Toyota Land Cruiser 80 (J80)1,990 year
1998-2007 Toyota Land Cruiser 100 (J100)1,998 year
2007-2021 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 (J200)2,007 year
2021 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 (J300)2,021 year
2023 Toyota Land Cruiser 250 (J250)2,023 year
Year introduced, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
