What's New
The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser is a carryover model. This year, Toyota offers two new exterior color choices and supplies a three-row option for the Heritage Edition.
Toyota has already decided that the Land Cruiser isn't returning for the 2022 model year, and we'll have to wait and see if an updated version is coming out after that.
Choosing Your Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota offers the 2021 Land Cruiser in two trims: Land Cruiser and the Heritage Edition. Pricing begins at $86,880 including destination and reaches $89,210 for the Heritage Edition.
Engine Choices
One powertrain choice moves the Land Cruiser. A 5.7-liter V8 engine creates 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque and sends power to all four wheels utilizing an eight-speed automatic transmission. This model comes with a two-speed transfer case.
The Land Cruiser makes an EPA-estimated 13 miles per gallon in the city, 17 mpg on the highway, and 14 combined.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
The Toyota Land Cruiser is a large SUV that seats five as standard, but the Heritage Edition is available with a third row for $1,420 which increases passenger capacity to eight. Five adults sit in comfort in the first two rows. In trims with the third row, passengers will find the rear seat tight – it’s mostly useful for children.
In trims with the third-row seat, there is 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space. If buyers fold down or don't have the third row, there's 41.4 cubic feet to work with, while getting both back rows out of the picture results in 82.8 cubic feet.
Safety Features
While most competing models include lane keeping assist, this feature isn’t available in the Land Cruiser. What is included is forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Some of these features cost extra in competing models if they’re available at all.
Connectivity
Toyota equips the Land Cruiser with a 9-inch touchscreen display, a 14-speaker JBL audio system, satellite radio, HD radio, Siri Eyes Free, Bluetooth, wireless charging, and one USB port. Unlike other Toyota models, this one doesn’t come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility – the standard navigation system will take you there.
A rear-seat entertainment system is a $2,200 standalone option.
The standard Land Cruiser trim comes well equipped. Among the exterior highlights is full LED lighting, including the headlights, daytime running lights, accent lights, fog lights, and the taillights. This model comes with heated and power-folding side mirrors, a roof rack, and 18-inch split-spoke alloy wheels. Other features include aluminum running boards, front and rear frame-mounted tow hooks, front and rear mudguards, skid plates, and a rear spoiler.
Inside, Toyota equips the Land Cruiser with a leather-trimmed and heated steering wheel, full leather seats, four-zone climate control, and heated and ventilated front seats. A 120-volt outlet, a smartphone charging pad, a center-console cooler box, and first- and second-row map lights are also included.
Heritage Edition - From $89,210
The Heritage Edition builds on the standard model by adding or replacing certain equipment. Special bronze BBS forged aluminum wheels with “TOYOTA” center caps, a Yakima Megawarrior roof rack, and dark chrome surround or detailing is also included. A special grille design unique to the Heritage Edition is also evident. Gone is the chrome side body molding, running boards, and the cooler box found on the standard model.
This year, customers may choose a third-row option for the Heritage Edition. A $1,420 upgrade, this trim features black perforated leather-trimmed seating across all three rows.
Compare Land Cruiser Trims Side-By-Side
From the onset, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser is a pricey model. It seems more in line with Lexus than Toyota. Nevertheless, the Land Cruiser’s stellar off-road chops are among the best in its class. It isn’t as comfortable around town, which makes the Toyota Sequoia a better choice among models seating at least seven passengers. We think the Heritage Edition with two rows offers the best blend of passenger-carrying space and cargo room in both trims.