The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of the most legendary off-road luxury vehicles in the world, known for its durability and longevity.
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Unlike most Toyota models on the road though, Land Cruisers are downright expensive. They cost as much as some high-end brands like Infiniti, Lexus, Land Rover, and Mercedes-Benz.
So why are Toyota Land Cruisers so expensive?
Toyota Land Cruisers are so expensive because they are built like tanks, they last forever, they keep a high resale value, they were designed to handle any terrain, and they are classed as a high-end luxury car.
If you’re thinking about purchasing a Land Cruiser of your own, continue reading to see why they’re so expensive and if they’re worth the price.
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5 Reasons Why Land Cruisers Are So Expensive:

5 Reasons Why Land Cruisers Are So Expensive:
1. They Are Built Like Tanks
One of the most common words used to describe the Toyota Land Cruiser is “indestructible”.
They are famous for being put through the ringer again and again without showing any true signs of struggle or stress.
2. Their Reliability Is Legendary
Like most Toyotas out there, the Land Cruisers can pretty much last forever.
If you see one on the market with 100,000 miles on it or so, you can just consider it low mileage.
They commonly go for 200k, 300k, and even 400k miles or more.
3. They Hold Their Value Well
Even as Toyota Land Cruisers start to get a little older and the miles start racking up, they typically hold their prices well.
This allows drivers to get their use out of them and then resell it for a similar price.
4. It Can Go Anywhere
The Land Cruiser was designed to be able to handle just about any terrain, and that’s exactly what they can do.
This makes it a favorite among serious off-road adventurers that have a little extra money to spend.
5. They Are Classed As Luxury
Even though it wears a Toyota badge, the Land Cruiser is touted as a luxury vehicle, and its price tag reflects that.
But take the time to sit in one and you’ll see why Toyota is able to get away with calling it luxury.
They’re gorgeous.
Why Are Old Toyota Land Cruisers So Expensive?
Old Land Cruisers are so expensive because they’re indestructible, they are well-maintained, and seem to last forever. Land Cruisers hold their value well and are expensive to start with, so even old ones are still going to be expensive a few years down the line.
As a Toyota, Land Cruisers are highly regarded as being able to just about last forever.
So even when they cross the 100,000-mile mark, many people consider them as just getting started.
Not only that, but they’re built like tanks and are pretty much indestructible, as evidenced by multiple responses on this thread.
If something is going to last for a long time while offering reliability and dependability, it will tend to hold a higher price.
Multiple users on this thread talk about Land Cruisers commonly getting 300,000 miles or more, with one even going over 600,000 miles!
Are Land Cruiser Parts Expensive?
Land Cruiser parts are quite a bit more expensive than the prices you would pay for a smaller car or even most trucks. This is for two main reasons — the Land Cruiser is expensive from the start and it’s important to keep it in tip-top shape so that it can perform off-road.
Since the Land Cruiser was designed for off-road use, it’s important that its systems are kept well-maintained so that it can perform as expected.
This means that the price for parts can be raised accordingly.
Take a look at this thread to see where one user breaks down a few of the issues that they’ve had to have fixed on their Land Cruiser and the accompanying price that they paid.
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Are Toyota Land Cruisers Expensive To Maintain?
Compared to the average vehicle on the road today, the Toyota Land Cruiser is expensive to maintain. According to RepairPal.com, the Toyota Land Cruiser costs an average of $843 per year in maintenance. This is 29% higher than the national annual average of $652 in maintenance costs for all vehicles.
But when you compare the Land Cruisers to other vehicles within its own class of SUV, the annual repair costs are reasonable.
Check out the average maintenance costs below with data gathered from RepairPal:
Toyota Land Cruiser | $843 |
Infiniti QX80 | $718 |
Land Rover Range Rover | $1,258 |
Lexus LX | $832 |
Mercedes-Benz GLS | $1,293 |
The Toyota Land Cruiser and the Lexus are almost identical in average annual maintenance cost, which makes sense since they’re closely related.
The annual cost of maintaining the Range Rover or the Mercedes-Benz GLS is about 50% more than a Land Cruiser.
Are Toyota Land Cruisers Expensive Compared To Similar SUVs?
Toyota Land Cruisers are not expensive compared to similar SUVs, but they aren’t cheap either. In fact, when compared side-by-side with four of its closest competitors, the Toyota Land Cruiser’s base model pricing ($85,665) puts it right in the middle of the pack.
The Infiniti QX80 is by far the cheapest comparable SUV at $69,150 and the Range Rover is the most expensive at $92,000.
Check out the rest of the values below, gathered from Consumer Reports as the base model MSRP:
Toyota Land Cruiser | $85,665 |
Infiniti QX80 | $69,150 |
Land Rover Range Rover | $92,000 |
Lexus LX | $86,830 |
Mercedes-Benz GLS | $76,000 |
Although the Toyota is almost the exact same price as the Lexus LX, keep in mind that both vehicles are made by Toyota.
The LX is a slightly more luxurious version of the Land Cruiser, so it might be worth spending the extra money on one!
Is the Land Cruiser Overpriced?
For the vehicle class that it’s in, the Toyota Land Cruiser is not overpriced. But when you take into account the fact that all of the comparable SUVs in the same class are high-end luxury brands, the Land Cruiser could be considered overpriced.
By looking back at the table above, we can see that the Land Cruiser ($85,665) is almost the same price as the Lexus LX ($86,830) and nearly $10,000 more expensive than the Mercedes-Benz GLS ($76,000).
Not to even mention the Infiniti QX80 at just ($69,150).
You typically think of those brands when you think of luxury vehicles, not Toyota.
For the price, you’d almost always be better off going with its cousin — the Lexus LX.
Are Toyota Land Cruisers Worth The Money?
If you’re going to use it for what it was really designed for — traversing just about any terrain out there — then yes, the Toyota Land Cruiser is worth the money. But if you’re just going to be driving it on the roads like a normal vehicle, you could get something far more affordable.
Coming from people who have actually purchased and driven them as their own, Land Cruisers are worth the money.
Take a look at this thread to see a handful of people recommending someone to buy a Land Cruiser and why they should do so.
Why is Land Cruiser More Expensive Than Sequoia?
The Land Cruiser is more expensive than the Sequoia because it’s more versatile and it’s also technically a luxury vehicle. The Sequoia is a bit more like a truck, clunky and clumsy. The Land Cruiser can handle any terrain while offering drivers refinement and luxury.
First and foremost, the interior of the Land Cruiser is much nicer than what’s found in the Sequoia.
According to a report by Autotrader, the Land Cruiser has an updated infotainment system, perforated leather seats that are heated and air-conditioned, and more.
All things that the Sequoia does not offer.
Although the Sequoia is quite a bit bigger than the Land Cruiser, the Land Cruiser is the more off-road capable vehicle.
It was designed to handle anything that you can throw at it, as it was so eloquently described at the top of this thread.
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Combined with the upgraded interior and more modern appeal, it all adds up to the Land Cruiser being more expensive than the Sequoia.