It is not a secret that Toyota is working on a new generation of its legendary SUV. The Land Cruiser is one of the longest-serving nameplates in the market. But, it won’t be available in the US anymore. So, it is your last chance to get the 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser.
Slow sales are killing this luxury SUV. Looking at the chart, we see two of Toyota’s products at the rock bottom – Land Cruiser and Lexus LX. Big updates are on the way for 15-year old SUVs. New generations will hit the market in 2023 and 204. Meanwhile, big decisions are made. The Land Cruiser is not coming back to the US, while the Lexus is replacing the LX570 with the LX600. The rest of the world will still have a chance to purchase the all-new LC.
So, without life after the 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser, there is no need for changes on the SUV. After all these rumors, we won’t see Series 300 in production and all the changes it brings. The Land Cruiser remains a big luxury rig with exceptional off-road capabilities. Still, the old look and high price took the charge and eventually lead to the discontinuation.
Life After the 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser
So, the SUV is coming unchanged. The discontinuation will bring a debate and the last dance of the 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser might draw the attention. But, we wouldn’t bet on this, especially with the unpredictable situations with the COVID-19 pandemic. Buyers are not going to spend $85,000 for something old and out of fashion.
The Lexus LX600 is the new name in the automotive market. The current LX is also a full-size SUV that shares a lot of things with the Land Cruiser. The LX600 nameplate is in the process of registration and the Japanese company could throw all luxury cards to the Lexus lineup. It has sense, since buyers of the Land Cruiser will get pretty much all the same, but only with the different logo. Toyota is now using Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, changes under the hood will be equal on two models… But, the new styling of the Lexus LX 600, powerplants (I-Force Max), and features will definitely lure buyers. Plus, without LC as the competitor, the LX should be out of the bottom zone of the sales chart as soon as it becomes available.
Why Discontinuation, or is it Just a Break?
Like said, old styling (interior and exterior), high price, and thirsty engine lead to poor sales. Of course, this is the main factor for the discontinuation and the measure of success and popularity. In 2019, Toyota sold only 3,500 Land Cruisers, and 2020 brings another disappointment. To improve sales, Toyota needs to fix issues. The new Series 300 generation is on the way. But, it seems like the US department is not going to wait until 2023 and test the market.
The fresh model will definitely update the styling. The price won’t go down, that is for sure. But, most full-size luxury SUVs are above $80,000. So, when someone is after this kind of a vehicle, then the price is not such an issue, since buyers know what to expect. The gas mileage and high maintenance are not going to make the LC be called a budget-friendly SUV. Again, full-size SUVs are consuming a lot of gas and maintenance of all luxury vehicles is not cheap.
The hard-core fans still hope that rumors are not true. But, all the clues indicate that avoiding the discontinuation of Land Cruiser is not so likely. On the other side, this might be a break for the company, to try to recover and restore the image. The 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser is not going to be attractive, but the news about the end will definitely show how much interest is there for the changes and new model.
2022 Toyota Land Cruiser Changes for the Final Run
With the end just around the corner, as well as the new generation, the company won’t spend big on the development of the 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser. The same vehicle will be out, with some small updates and possibly fresh packages. A 5.7-liter engine will still be there, although the I-Force Max should debut on the Tundra truck. The 2021 YM brought the Heritage Edition with a few cool upgrades. Still, this is not going to revive the sales. In 2022, we can expect a similar try to draw a little bit of attention to this legendary SUV.
Back in the 80s, when the company decided to split the Land Cruiser into luxury and utility lineups, the first one became one of the synonyms for durability, reliability, comfort, and off-road performance. Now, other carmakers are at the same level, while the LC hasn’t seen updates for the last 15 years. The new generation and Series 300 will be an interesting move, but the US buyers won’t get a chance to get it in 2023.