The original Land Cruiser, launched in the 1950s, quickly gained a reputation for being a durable and reliable SUV. It was widely used by the United Nations in challenging environments due to its tough build and go-anywhere capabilities. The iconic image of the white UN Land Cruisers still resonates with many people as a symbol of ultimate reliability.
Years passed, and the Land Cruiser became more expensive, with prices reaching nearly $100,000. The competition also began to catch up, making the Land Cruiser seem a bit outdated. Eventually, the Land Cruiser disappeared from the US market, leaving fans disappointed and longing for its return.
In 2023, Toyota announced the new Land Cruiser model, which was then released in the US. As a long-awaited comeback, the new Land Cruiser generated a lot of excitement among fans who had missed it. I had the opportunity to test drive the Land Cruiser 2023 for a week in Silicon Valley, thanks to a loaner from Toyota. During my time with the vehicle, I felt the same sense of reliability and durability that its predecessor was known for. I also took my neighbor Julie, who had owned a Land Cruiser for two decades and loved it, along for a ride to experience the new model.
The new Land Cruiser is built on an all-new platform with advanced technology features such as Toyota’s Safety Sense suite of advanced safety technologies including adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow and lane departure alert with steering assist. It also has an updated infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration.
Despite these updates, Julie couldn’t help but notice how much bigger this new version is than her old one. She said she would have no trouble fitting her family into it comfortably.
Overall, after spending time driving both models back-to-back on various terrains like dirt roads and highways around Silicon Valley area, I can say that while there are some differences between them; they both deliver on their promise of being reliable SUVs you can trust to get you through any condition or terrain you may face.
As someone who appreciates quality vehicles that are built to last; I am happy to see that Toyota has kept true to form with this latest iteration of their flagship SUV offering – providing customers with an SUV that is both dependable and stylish – just what they need when venturing off-road or exploring uncharted territories.
