Why Toyota discontinued Land Cruiser in USA?
The Land Cruiser was discontinued in the United States after the 2021 model year, largely due to dwindling demand and a strategic realignment of Toyota’s U.S. SUV lineup.
What happened and why
In the United States, Toyota chose to end sales of the Land Cruiser after the 2021 model year as part of a broader shift in its product strategy. The model’s high price, aging technology, and relatively low sales volume in the U.S. market made it less profitable compared with newer, more efficient SUVs. Toyota aimed to streamline its lineup around more popular, higher-margin vehicles such as the Sequoia and the Lexus LX, while focusing engineering and manufacturing resources on models with stronger domestic demand and better fuel economy.
Key market factors at play
Several dynamics helped shape Toyota’s decision to stop offering the Land Cruiser in the U.S. audience. The following factors collectively diminished the model’s value proposition in the American market:
- The U.S. market’s preference for more fuel-efficient, technologically up-to-date options, even within the full-size SUV segment.
- Significant price sensitivity for a flagship SUV that offered rugged, traditional off-road capability but lagged behind on newer tech and efficiency standards.
- Overlap with other Toyota and Lexus models—the Sequoia (Toyota) and LX (Lexus)—which delivered similar levels of capability and luxury with broader appeal or better margins.
- Rising development, maintenance, and certification costs for aging platforms, making continued investment less attractive for a low-volume model.
- An industry-wide shift toward hybrids and more streamlined, fuel-efficient powertrains that favored other models in Toyota’s portfolio.
Taken together, these factors led Toyota to reallocate resources toward models with stronger U.S. demand and clearer paths to meeting regulatory standards and consumer expectations.
Context and consequences for the lineup
The discontinuation removed a storied, off-road flagship from the U.S. market, while Toyota leaned on the Sequoia and the Lexus LX to cover the space in its full-size SUV lineup. The Sequoia offered modern tech and improved efficiency for buyers seeking size and capability, whereas the LX provided a luxury-oriented alternative that continued to appeal to a different segment. In markets outside the United States, however, the Land Cruiser remained a mainstay, highlighting how regional demand and regulatory environments can shape the fate of a single nameplate.
Timeline of the U.S. market shift
The following timeline outlines the core milestones in the discontinuation process and its aftermath:
- 2019–2020: Signals from Toyota suggested a broader realignment of the U.S. lineup and attention to more popular segments.
- 2021 model year: Final U.S. Land Cruiser model year announced and subsequently removed from the American market.
- 2022 onward: Toyota focused on the Sequoia and Lexus LX as primary full-size SUV offerings in the United States.
Dealers and buyers who owned Land Cruisers faced limited new-purchase options, while the used-Land-Cruiser market remained active among enthusiasts and collectors, reflecting the model’s enduring reputation for capability.
What this means for buyers and the broader market
For potential buyers, the discontinuation redirected attention to the Sequoia and the Lexus LX, which offered contemporary technology, better efficiency, and updated safety features. For current owners, maintenance and resales followed a familiar pattern for a discontinued model: parts availability and trained service providers remained essential considerations, but availability of new units was limited. The broader market continued to value Toyota’s emphasis on reliability and capable SUVs, even as the flagship Land Cruiser nameplate faded from the U.S. showroom.
Summary
Toyota’s decision to discontinue the Land Cruiser in the United States reflected a combination of flagging demand for a high-price, low-volume flagship and a strategic pivot toward models with stronger domestic appeal and efficiency, notably the Sequoia and the Lexus LX. While the Land Cruiser lives on in many global markets, its absence in the U.S. signaled a broader realignment of Toyota’s SUV strategy to prioritize volume, modern technology, and fuel economy within a competitive landscape.
Will there be a 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser?
Yes, the 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser is expected to arrive at dealerships in September 2025, and it will be a redesigned model featuring a standard i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain. It will be available in two trims: the 1958 and the Land Cruiser grade.
This video provides an overview of the 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser, highlighting its design and features: 27sToyota USAYouTube · Oct 31, 2025
- Powertrain: All models will come with a 2.4-liter turbocharged i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain that produces 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, paired with a full-time four-wheel drive system.
- Trims: The two available trims are the 1958 and the feature-rich Land Cruiser grade, each with distinct styling cues.
- Technology: The Land Cruiser grade will offer more advanced tech, including an available 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital gauge cluster, while the 1958 model will have an 8-inch touchscreen.
- Availability: The 2026 model is slated to arrive at dealerships in September 2025.
Will Toyota bring the Land Cruiser back to the US?
The 2024 Land Cruiser will be built in Toyota Motor Corporation's Tahara and Hino plants in Japan and arrive in the U.S. in the spring of 2024. Manufacturer's suggested retail pricing will start in the mid-$50,000 range and be announced closer to its on-sale date.
What is the most common problem with a Toyota Land Cruiser?
Keep in mind that consistent maintenance and proper care can significantly reduce the likelihood of these issues becoming major inconveniences.
- Rust and Corrosion:
- Steering Vibration:
- Exhaust and Emissions Challenges:
- Transmission Concerns:
- Electrical Issues:
- Suspension Wear:
- Air Conditioning Problems:
- Oil Leaks:
Why is Land Cruiser not sold in the USA?
Toyota dropped the beloved Land Cruiser from its lineup of US offerings due to dwindling sales for the $90000+ SUV. However you can still get one stateside if you know where to shop.
