What is the name of the V8 Land Cruiser engine?
The classic Toyota Land Cruiser V8 engine is the 2UZ-FE, a 4.7-liter V8. This name is the most recognizable among enthusiasts and is closely associated with the late-1990s through early-2000s Land Cruiser lineage.
What follows outlines how that engine earned its reputation, and how later generations diversified powerplants with larger gasoline and diesel V8 options in various markets. The Land Cruiser has spanned decades of design changes, and its V8 family reflects shifts in technology, emissions, and regional demand.
The 2UZ-FE: the backbone of late-90s and early-2000s Land Cruisers
The 2UZ-FE is a 4.7-liter V8 that powered many 100 Series Land Cruisers and related models, helping define a era when full-size SUVs balanced rugged capability with refined highway manners. It became the emblem of reliability for a vehicle famous for its off-road prowess and long-term durability.
What the designation means
The 2UZ-FE designation identifies a member of Toyota’s UZ family of V8 engines, featuring a double-overhead-camshaft layout and variable valve timing in many applications. The engine’s reputation rests on its robust construction and practical performance rather than extreme power figures.
Beyond the 2UZ-FE: newer V8 options in the Land Cruiser family
As the Land Cruiser evolved into the LC200/J200 generation and beyond, Toyota offered larger gasoline options and diesel V8s in different markets. These developments reflected varying regional preferences for power, torque, and efficiency, while maintaining the model’s hallmark capability.
- 5.7-liter gasoline V8: In some markets, later Land Cruisers offered a larger 5.7-liter V8 option to boost power and towing capacity, aligning with rival full-size SUVs.
- 4.5-liter V8 diesel: Several markets used a turbocharged 4.5-liter diesel V8 for strong low-end torque and durability in heavy-duty use, especially where diesel fuel is prevalent.
These variants illustrate how the Land Cruiser’s V8 lineage has grown to meet different regional demands, from on-road comfort to serious off-road and towing tasks. Engine codes vary by model year and market, but the overarching trend has been to provide more displacement or diesel alternatives where appropriate.
Bottom line
The best-known Land Cruiser V8 remains the 2UZ-FE, a 4.7L engine that powered many late-1990s and early-2000s models and helped cement the lineup’s reputation for durability. Over time, Toyota expanded the V8 family with larger gasoline engines and robust diesel options to fit regional needs and regulatory environments.
Summary
- Primary V8 reference: 2UZ-FE, 4.7 liters, associated with the Land Cruiser 100 Series and successors.
- Later generations offered larger V8s (5.7L gasoline and 4.5L diesel) in various markets to boost power, torque, and towing capability.
- Engine codes and configurations can vary by model year and region, reflecting Toyota’s global approach to meeting diverse demand while preserving the Land Cruiser’s reputation for rugged capability.
