50 Years of the Toyota Land Cruiser

18 November 2020

For 50 years, the Toyota Land Cruiser has been the workhorse of the world. It’s been taking adventurers off-road, through jungles and across deserts, and explorers deep into uncharted regions. Its reputation as one of the most reliable off-road vehicles of the last five decades continues to grow with the latest generation of Toyota Land Cruisers in 2020. But where did it all start? And how did this remarkable brand evolve?

In 1954, the first actual Land Cruisers were developed. The name was chosen specifically to put this ATV in the same class as more established brands, and it worked perfectly. The second generation of Land Cruisers, the 20 Series, had a much more toned-down look that appealed to a wider audience, especially those who didn’t want to drive a vehicle that looked like it had come straight off the battleground. Things really took off towards the end of the 1950s with the introduction of a 4-door version, and then in 1958 the first Land Cruisers to be made outside Japan started to be produced in Brazil.

Sales start to boom

By 1972, 200,000 Land Cruisers had been sold, but just a year later that number jumped to 300,000. Sales exploded when the first diesel engine versions were produced, and the Land Cruiser just kept getting better and better, with a reputation of one of the most reliable SUVs on the market.

Today, the Toyota Land Cruiser continues to evolve, and the Land Cruiser 2019 was one of the biggest selling SUVs of the year. While the modern Land Cruisers still have that rugged, go-anywhere, do-anything ability, the model has been refined for modern motoring, so they are surprisingly fuel-efficient SUVs when compared to other makes in their class, as well as offering plenty of luxury and comfort for both passengers and driver.

The modern Land Cruiser

The improvements just keep on coming, and the 2021 Land Cruiser has a plethora of driver-friendly technology, as well as a more powerful and efficient engine. The interiors are designed for comfort, so even if you do decide to go adventure touring, you can do it in real style while sitting in comfortable leather seats. A 4ltr engine gets you where you want to be faster and smoother, with better suspension and an automatic transmission that makes them incredibly easy to drive.

The Land Cruiser in the UAE

The Toyota Land Cruiser is uniquely suited to the often-challenging environment of the UAE. It copes well with desert terrain, with high ground clearance and four-wheel-drive that makes driving across sand almost as easy as driving on tarmac. In the mountainous regions of the UAE it also performs exceptionally well, scrambling up rocky pathways with ease.

Yet the modern Land Cruiser is equally at home on city streets, and has a domineering road presence that makes it an aspirational brand for today’s young professionals. Not only can it be used in the city, but throw everything in its spacious luggage compartment, strap the kids in, and you have the perfect vehicle for weekend family adventures, too. This adaptability makes the Toyota Land Cruiser one of the most popular SUVs in the UAE.

At Toyota AE, it’s easy to buy both certified pre-owned models and the brand new 2021 model, with finance options available and a full after-sales service package that keeps you on the road. To find out more about the new Toyota Land Cruiser 2020 and 2021 models, or to have a look at premium quality, pre-owned models, browse the website or visit your local Toyota AE branch.