The Toyota Land Cruiser is somewhat of an enigma. Sure, it’s an icon. It’s known for its off-road prowess and you can certainly expect one to last for a remarkably long time. But the Land Cruiser is also unreasonably expensive and outmatched by plenty of other, cheaper alternatives. So when Toyota announced it’d be discontinuing the Land Cruiser in the US? Well, we weren’t exactly surprised. What has been surprising, however, is what followed that news. 

Is the Land Cruiser being discontinued?

The Land Cruiser has been around for 60 years. That’s a long time. According to Car and Driver, the first model was sold in 1958. However, it really wasn’t until the early 1960’s that the Land Cruiser really started gaining traction. Nowadays, this off-road capable SUV is the most expensive model that Toyota has to offer.

And, as you can probably guess, that expensive price tag hasn’t exactly been a good thing for the Land Cruiser. Especially when considering how much competition there is in the large SUV segment. That’s why it wasn’t all too surprising when Toyota announced it would be discontinuing the Land Cruiser in the US after the 2021 model year.

“The Toyota Land Cruiser has been a legendary name for more than 60 years. While it will be discontinued in the United States after the 2021 model year, we remain committed to the large SUV segment and will continue to explore future products that celebrate the Land Cruiser’s rich off-road history,” Toyota said in a statement at the time.

Toyota killed off the Land Cruiser in the U.S. and its sales skyrocketed

But here’s the thing, since discontinuing the Land Cruiser in the US, its sales have absolutely skyrocketed. Car and Driver reports that all in all, 689 people opted to buy a new Land Cruiser last month. And those 689 people signify a 221 percent increase from January 2020, when only 215 Land Cruiser models were sold. That’s not all, either. In December 2020, a total of 606 Land Cruisers were sold, which equates to a 68 percent increase in sales.

So why is the Land Cruiser suddenly so popular? Car and Driver reports that it may have to do with drivers wanting to get their hands on a V8-powered Land Cruiser. Should the Land Cruiser be reintroduced in the US, its likely that its V8 engine will be nixed. Or, the uptick in sales could just be from those realizing it’s now or never if they want a new Land Cruiser. But, either way, Toyota admits that it has seen an increased interest in its iconic SUV.

How much does the Toyota Land Cruiser cost?

Unfortunately, the Land Cruiser hasn’t dropped in price since it was announced that it would be discontinued in the US. So, those 689 people? You can bet they paid a pretty penny for their 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser. In fact, the base model rings in at $85,415. Upgrade to the Heritage Edition, and this year’s model costs at least $87,745. 

The bad news is that its premium price tag makes it more expensive than several of its competitors too, including the Ford Expedition and the Chevy Tahoe. This year’s model also boasts a higher base price than luxury models like the Mercedes-Benz GLS, BMW X7, and the Lincoln Navigator.

How many miles will a Toyota Land Cruiser Last?

While the Land Cruiser is expensive, you can count on one to last for a pretty long time, which could contribute to buyers wanting to land a 2021 model. According to iSee Cars, which analyzed more than 15.8 million cars sold in 2019 to determine which models were most likely to reach 200,000-miles, the iconic Land Cruiser is the longest-lasting SUV currently on the market. Not only did 15.7% of models make it to 200,000-miles but an impressive 1.5% of models were able to surpass 300,000-miles.

Is the 2021 Land Cruiser worth buying?

Now, with all of this in mind, is the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser actually worth buying? After all, it is being discontinued and apparently, that’s reason enough for 689 other car buyers to scoop one up. But does that mean that you should too? Not necessarily. Because although the Land Cruiser may be discontinued, it’s still incredibly expensive. So unless you’ve got your heart set on this iconic SUV? You’d be better off considering a cheaper alternative instead.