2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Review

The Toyota Land Cruiser was first released in 1951 after drawing inspiration from the American Bantam Jeep.

It was called the Toyota “Jeep” BJ but was renamed the Land Cruiser in 1954 after the Willys Corporation claimed trademark infringement.

Toyota has divided the Land Cruiser into three models. The ‘Heavy Duty’ series is the most basic, with practicality, durability, and off-road capability taking precedence over comfort or technology. Toyota’s heavy-duty vehicles include the BJ, FJ, 20, 40 and 70 series.

In 1960 the 20 series was renamed J40 and replaced by the 40 series. The J50 series was introduced seven years later. It was the first Land Cruiser to feature a fully enclosed box frame. From 1980 to 1990 the J60 series was produced. It is a four-door car with seating for five to eight people. The 60 had many creature comforts such as air conditioning, a rear heater, and a redesigned interior.

In 1984 the J70 made its public debut. It featured a four-wheel coil-spring solid axle suspension to improve ride quality. The Land Cruiser J80 series was introduced in 1990. This base model was later upgraded with cloth upholstery, standard air conditioning, and a motorized driver’s seat.

The J100 Land Cruiser was introduced in 1998 to replace the J80 series. The 100 series is divided into two models, the 100 and the 105. Although the two models look identical, there are significant differences under the skin. Despite their differences and official model names, the 100 and 105 are sometimes referred to collectively as the 100 Series. The J100’s suspension system is a combination of Active Height Control and Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension (TEMS).

The Lexus LX 470, also known as the Toyota Cygnus in Japan, was based on the 100 series. The 100 series was produced until the end of 2007, with minor improvements such as headlights, taillights, front grille, rear spoiler, and specification tweaks.

The J200 series replaced the 100 series in 2007 and is still in production today. The 200 series improved on the previous model in a number of ways, including visual changes to the body and interior.

The 200 series improved on the previous model in a number of ways, including visual changes to the body and interior. Toyota released an upgraded facelift version of the J200 Land Cruiser in 2015.

The J300 series debuted in 2021. The frame has been modified to reduce weight while increasing the rigidity of the body-on-frame platform.

Compared to its predecessor, the overall weight of the vehicle was reduced by 200 kg. Other claimed improvements include a lower center of gravity, better weight distribution, and improved suspension layout.

The 2020 Land Cruiser is equipped with a high-performance V8 4.6L Dual VVT-i engine (1UR-FE type) that is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Grades

• GX– This is the base trim level that comes with 17-inch wheels, dual front airbags, ABS, 4WD, cloth seats, electric door locks, heated mirrors, driver-illuminated vanity mirrors, a premium sound system, and smart device integration.
• AX– The AX grade is equipped with adaptive cruise control, a keyless start, a digital signal processor, an Audio theft deterrent, a Real-Time traffic display, 1 LCD monitor in the front and 2 LCD row monitors in the rear, and a rear entertainment system.
• AX G SELECTION– This grade comes with a panoramic sunroof, power windows, Bluetooth connectivity, an anti-lock braking system, an LCD monitor, a reverse camera, and power mirrors.
• ZX– This is the highest grade that comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, Full LED headlights, a real-time traffic display, a Power tilt-and-slide sunroof, a keyless entry, an electronic tailgate, a central door lock,  leather seats, an AM/FM Radio, 6-speed automatic transmission, and an anti-lock braking system.

2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Interior, Legroom & Space

The 2020 Land Cruiser has a spacious and well-designed interior that can seat either 5 or 8 people depending on the configuration.

The first-row seats have 38.3 inches of headroom and 42.9 inches of legroom, most drivers will find the driving position comfortable. There are 10-way adjustments with memory to ensure extra comfort for the driver.

The second row seats are also spacious having 38.9 inches of headroom and 34.4 inches of legroom. The third-row seats have 35.8 inches of headroom and 28.3 inches of legroom which is suited for children. Getting in and out of the 2020 Land Cruiser is easy thanks to its large door openings and grab handles.

The dashboard of the 2020 Land Cruiser is dominated by a 9.0-inch touchscreen with a reasonably bright display. The controls are well laid out, and easy to reach and understand. Other interior features include; four-zone climate-control air-conditioning, 11.6-inch entertainment screens for rear passengers, a nine-speaker audio system, and a moonroof.

Cabin Storage

Everything in the Toyota Land Cruiser is meticulously organized. From the first to the third row, there are plenty of storage compartments. These are useful for storing items such as smartphones, drinks, handbags, etc. For the first row, there are 4 cup/bottle holders, door panel storage, dashboard storage, a glove box, and a cool box. For the second row, there is storage in the front seat jacket pockets and door side pockets. For the third row, there are storage compartments on each side.

Boot Space

The 2020 Land Cruiser has 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row up and increases to 43 cubic feet with the third row folded. With the second and third rows folded, there is 81.7 cubic feet of space. This is enough to accommodate a couple of items such as bags, groceries, etc.

2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Exterior Design

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Exterior design remains mostly unchanged from the previous model. The design is rugged and is sure to turn necks whenever spotted on the road. The front end features a bold grille with a Toyota emblem mounted on it. There are also LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, and integrated LED fog lights. The rear end boats LED tail lights that improve visibility and a rear spoiler that adds to the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser’s aerodynamics. The are also running boards on the side that allow you to get in and out of the Land Cruiser easily.

Color options in the 2020 Land Cruiser include;  Super White, Pearl white, Silver Metallic, black, Attitude Black, Dark Red Mica Metallic, Beige Mica Metallic, Copper Brown Mica, Dark Blue Mica, and Grey Metallic.

Toyota Land Cruiser Safety Features

The 2020 Land Cruiser also comes standard with the Star Safety System which includes Vehicle Stability Control, Active Traction Control, and Electronic Brake-Force Distribution. There is also the Toyota Safety Sense that is equipped with Lane Departure Alert and Automatic High Beams. Other safety features include;  SRS Airbags, Curtain airbags, Pre-crash Safety System, Radar Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Pedestrian Warning, and Frontal Collision Warning.

2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Fuel Consumption

2020 Toyota Land Cruiser  4.6L V8 petrol engine consumes 8.6 km/l on average.

2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Acceleration

2020 Toyota Land Cruiser  4.6L  petrol engine accelerates from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds

2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Fuel Tank Capacity: The 200 Series has a 93-litre main fuel tank and a 45-litre sub tank totaling 138 liters.

Ground Clearance

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser has a ground clearance of 8.9 inches.

Service Intervals

Minor Service: At 5,000 km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil.

Major Service: At 10,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil.

Spare Parts and Availability

Spare parts for the Toyota Land Cruiser are much more affordable compared to the Range Rover and the Nissan Patrol. In the long term, it’s the cheaper car to own. On average, body parts and sensors are expensive and some are not readily available in the market. Service parts are well-priced and available in all major towns across the country.

Stability And Handling

The Toyota Land Cruiser provides a stable composed and comfortable ride whether you are driving on the tarmac or offroad. It is equipped with Toyota’s kinetic dynamic suspension system that ensures everything is in check and absorbs all road imperfections thus providing a smooth ride. There is minimum body roll from the 2020 Land Cruiser when driving through sharp corners.

The steering wheel is well-weighted making it easy to maneuver through traffic. However, some drivers may feel the steering is a bit heavy.

When it comes to offroad driving, the 2020 Land Cruiser comes standard with 4-wheel drive making it easy to drive through harsh conditions.

Its higher ground clearance also aids it in crossing over obstacles with ease and also has skid plates to protect the undercarriage

The 2020 Land Cruiser is also fitted with the Multi-Terrain Select System that allows the driver to choose from different modes like Mud and Sand or Rock, optimizing traction and stability.

Under the hood, the 2020 Land Cruiser is fitted with a  V8 4.6L Dual VVT-i engine (1UR-FE type) that produces a maximum output of 318 horsepower.

Reliability

The Toyota Land Cruiser has established itself as a reliable SUV that can serve owners for many years without breaking down. Some models are still on the road even after 20 to 30 years.

Since its inception, the Toyota Land Cruiser has undergone several changes to become the dependable SUV it is today. Toyota uses high-quality materials and advanced manufacturing techniques to ensure that every Land Cruiser is built to last.

This SUV is tested in extreme temperatures, on rough terrain, and in other challenging conditions to ensure it is capable of handling anything.

It is recommended to regularly service your Land Cruiser to ensure it serves you for many years.

Refer to the Toyota Land Cruiser buyer guide for a thorough dependability report. We also urge that you always follow the instructions in the owner’s manual.

Resale Value: Good

Toyota Land Cruiser Competitors:  Land Rover Range Rover, Lexus LX 570, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, Nissan Patrol, and Mercedes Benz GLS.

What we like about the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser

• Off-road capabilities
• Spacious Interior
• Good Performance

What we don’t

• Poor fuel economy

Conclusion

If you are looking for a premium SUV that will get you from point A to point B with ease, the Toyota Land Cruiser is the ideal vehicle. The Land Cruiser is powered by a powerful V8 4.6L Dual VVT-i engine that gives you an inspiring ride on the road. This SUV also comes with a range of features including JBL audio, which allows you to fill the cabin with high-quality sound. There is also a 9-inch touchscreen that gives you easy access to all the controls and settings.

Where to buy the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser in Kenya

If you are looking to either import or buy the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser locally at a reasonable price, we can help you with this process. Over the years we have developed a network of trusted dealers both in Kenya and Japan who supply us with exceptional cars. Just give us a call or send us a message at +254 722 469360 or email us at info@topcar.co.ke and we’ll get you the right car at the right price. Cars from Japan take between 45 to 60 days while from South Africa only take a week.