Is It Still Worth Buying In 2026?

The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of those SUVs that needs no formal introduction. It has been on our roads since the late 1950s and has always been a solid choice if you want an SUV that can hit the trails, trek across deserts, or live in the boonies. They started life as a pure utilitarian beast, and that’s why we love them; today, you can get all the off-roading prowess you’d expect, plus oodles of comfort and tech features.

The 2025 Land Cruiser is just over a year old, and the 2026 model is now available, but the off-road-ready mid-sized SUV market is well catered for. The Land Cruiser may have a strong reputation, and the 2025 model is excellent, but is it worth buying one today when there are so many other options?

2026 U.S. SUV Market Reality Check

The U.S. SUV market in 2026 is split in many ways. On the one hand, we’ve got smaller, easier, and more efficient crossovers that are made for everyday ease. The Corolla Cross is Toyota’s fastest-growing SUV model; the Honda CR-V is a top choice for low starting prices and low running costs, and the Hyundai Tucson does a lot of heavy lifting for those of us looking for a commuter vehicle and school-run ferry.

Then we have performance SUVs that give sports cars a run for their money, with models like the Lamborghini Urus able to sprint to 60 mph in 3 seconds, the Aston Martin DBX707 getting to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds, and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT equipped with rear-axle steering, active anti-roll bars, and a razor-sharp steering rack.

We still get some new off-roading SUVs, but they are not as utilitarian as they used to be. A lot of this is down to not wanting to compromise; we can now get SUV models that blend luxury, massive screens, comfort, muddy-road prowess, and efficiency, so there is no real call for an off-road-only model anymore.

Many new SUVs are now built on unibody platforms, whereas in the past they were built on truck body-on-frame platforms. Comfort is the main aim of the game today, so we are seeing fewer and fewer BOF SUVs. However, there are still some hanging on… just.

Body-On-Frame SUVs Still Sell On Trust; Tech-Heavy Rivals Are Closing The Gap

Body-on-frame SUVs are still here, but the options are getting fewer. Vehicles like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban are some of the most reliable long-term companions. They can tow, haul, drive long distances, and be repeatedly abused, and will still carry on going. Despite the plush cabins, they are both built around simplicity and durability, and for a lot of drivers, that old-school honesty still counts for something.

However, there is considerable pressure from all corners of the market now. New SUVs are no longer forcing us to pick between comfort and capability as they used to be. Many of today’s unibody and electric SUVs are getting close enough to real-world practicality and some rough-road capability that it makes many of us wonder if a truck-based platform is worth it at all.

The new Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is kitted out with massive Hyperscreen displays, augmented-reality navigation, OTA software updates, rear-axle steering, adaptive air suspension, an ultra-fine cabin, and it can still tow up to 4,000 pounds. More mainstream unibody SUVs like the 2026 Honda CR-V have a strong reliability reputation, can tow up to 1,500 pounds—enough for light duties—and boast everything you need for comfort and getting around day-to-day, with low starting prices of $32,370.

While body-on-frame SUVs still dominate when it comes to towing and long-term abuse, they’re no longer the obvious choice. The market has more than shifted toward comfort, software, and ease-of-use, and that’s why BOF SUVs are becoming a more specialist choice than the default one-stop model that they once were.

What The 2025 Land Cruiser Still Does Best

Even in the growing and more competitive market, models like the Land Cruiser still hold their own. According to the 2025 Toyota sales reports, 43,946 Land Cruiser models were sold in the U.S. in 2025, so there is still demand for them, and they do many things well.

The 2025 MY is available in two trims: the Land Cruiser 1958 and the top-tier Land Cruiser, with original MSRPs of $56,700 and $61,470, respectively. Owners who left a rating on J.D. Power gave it a solid 76 out of 100 overall rating, which is quite good.

Today, prices for the 2025 model have decreased only slightly, and you can pick up a used 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser for sale between $54,200 and $58,600. They are still pricey, but they do a lot of things that rugged SUV lovers will appreciate.

Retro-Modern Design That Prioritizes Function

Toyota could have easily pushed the eighth-gen Land Cruiser toward being an oversized luxury SUV, but instead, it leaned heavily into a clean, functional style that feels properly connected to the legendary older models without feeling gimmicky. It stands out in a market full of rounded shapes. It has an upright windshield, squared-off bodywork, a flat hood, and short overhangs, and while it looks retro good, it is also useful.

This design means you get good outward visibility on the trails and on busy roads, and compared to other new SUVs that have sloped rooflines, the Land Cruiser feels far more usable from behind the wheel. The tall and wide door openings make it easier to get in and out, you get 82 cubic feet of storage space, the front end is clean and upright with simple yet functional lighting, and there is very little unnecessary trim pretending to be rugged.

The cabin is also functional without feeling cheap. The dash layout is straightforward, physical controls are still used, and the seating position gives you a good view of the road. You get an 8-inch touchscreen in the 1958 model, a 12.3-inch one in the LC, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, air conditioning, and heated and ventilated front seats, so you aren’t left without some modern conveniences, but nothing feels excessive.

Many modern SUVs are being built around tech, but the Land Cruiser still feels as if it is designed around real-world use, whether that is long trips, heavy cargo, bad weather, or transporting people.

Hybrid Power And Proven Off-Road Hardware That Feels Bulletproof

There is just one engine option for the 2025 Land Cruiser, and while some people may bemoan the dropping of the 3UR-FE V8, which we last got in the 2021 model, the hybrid inline-four under the hood of the newer models still gets the job done, just in a more modern way. The ’25 Land Cruiser has the following engine specifications.

The 2025 Land Cruiser can tow up to 6,000 pounds and carry up to 1,295 pounds in the back, while still achieving a FuelEconomy.gov-estimated 23 combined mpg (22 mpg city/25 mpg highway). To put that into perspective, the 2021 MY can only achieve 14 combined mpg, but can tow up to 8,100 pounds.

While the character of the old V8 is missed by many, the 465 pound-feet of torque from the i-FORCE MAX helps the Land Cruiser remain an SUV you can still tow and overland in. Torque arrives low in the range, so you can crawl confidently; the hybrid system fills in any torque gaps, and you get more immediate low-speed control than many smaller turbo engines.

All 2025 models are equipped with full-time four-wheel drive, a locking center differential, low-range gearing, Crawl Control, and Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Select system as standard. If you opt for the Land Cruiser trim, you also get a stabilizer disconnect system that allows for very impressive wheel articulation on rocky trails.

The Land Cruiser still feels overbuilt with heavy-duty skid plates, solid underbody protection, and properly engineered approach and departure angles (31° and 22°, respectively). This makes it still feel like an SUV that is made for years of punishment, which is getting harder to find today.

2025 Vs. 2026 Land Cruiser: What’s The Difference?

The 2026 Land Cruiser model is still offered in two trims, the 1958 and Land Cruiser, and new prices are comparable at $57,200 and $62,045, respectively. You still get the same retro-inspired design and the same engine. So what is the difference?

The 2026 Land Cruiser Changes Are Minimal

Honestly, not much at all. Toyota has barely touched the Land Cruiser for 2026, which tells us a lot about how confident it is with the formula. Both trims carry over unchanged, with the 1958 as the more stripped-back heritage-focused model, while the Land Cruiser is still the model with more convenience features and premium gear.

The hybrid powertrain remains untouched, and you still get full-time four-wheel drive and all the off-roading gear that makes it a contender on the trails. The body and cabin design haven’t changed, and it is still as good-looking and functional as the 2025 model.

This means, if you are looking for a new-gen Land Cruiser and don’t want to pay top prices for the 2026 model, a slightly used and cheaper 2025 model is worth considering.

Bear in mind, though, that some of Toyota’s generous standard warranty (36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper, 60,000-mile powertrain, 100,000-mile hybrid component, and 150,000-mile hybrid battery) will have already been used up with a used model, whereas a new Land Cruiser means a clean slate for warranty time.

The Land Cruiser’s Rivals Are Changing Fast

The real competition is coming from its rivals instead of from within. One of the biggest disruptors is the Land Rover Defender OCTA, which takes the idea of a luxury off-roader and turns it into something absurd. Under the hood is a 4.4-liter twin-turbo mild-hybrid V8 good for 620 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, giving it 3.8-second sprint times and a lot of low-end usability.

It is also equipped with Land Rover’s advanced hydraulically linked suspension setup, adaptive dampers, a beefy cooling system, large brakes, and dedicated OCTA drive modes designed for high-speed desert runs. The OCTA genuinely backs up its aggressive style.

Then there is the Lexus GX, which might actually be the Land Cruiser’s biggest rival because it targets the same off-road prowess, but with a more luxurious touch. Built on the same TNGA-F platform as the Land Cruiser, the GX combines body-on-frame toughness with a twin-turbo V6 good for 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet. However, you get more upscale materials, larger displays, advanced camera systems, and an exceptional finish in the cabin.

Meanwhile, the new Ineos Grenadier looks old-school and is equipped with a BMW B58 inline-six. You get body-on-frame, heavy-duty beam axles, plane-style overhead switches, and hefty skid plates. As retro-looking new SUVs go, the new Grenadier checks many boxes.

Land Cruiser Value, Reliability, And Depreciation

The competitors are good, but considering what the Land Cruiser can do, some things lean heavily in its favor. A new Defender will cost you a minimum of $63,500 for the 100 S model, let alone the OCTA, which is priced at over $100,000, while the GX will cost you over $60,000, and the Grenadier will cost you over $70,000. They have the following MSRPS.

Toyota Land Cruisers Value And Reliability Retention Vs. Its Rivals

Where the Land Cruiser stands out is in its reasonable starting prices and low depreciation levels. CarEdge says that, on average, a Land Cruiser will lose 35% of its value. If you were to buy a 2026 model for its $57,600 MSRP, the estimated five-year value would be $37,440. Its competitors have the following depreciation rates.

There is no information about the Grenadier—it is too new—and the OCTA isn’t included in the Defender’s CarEdge report, but we expect the OCTA to retain a fair amount of its value because of its high-end engineering and extreme prowess. It is a collector’s edition already, really.

Toyota models have a special relationship with dependability, and while older Land Cruisers are bulletproof legends, the newer models haven’t yet got the same trustworthy relationship as the old ones. Owner reviews on Kelley Blue Book rate the ’25 Land Cruiser 3.7 out of 5 overall, with a 4.2 out of 5 rating for reliability. Not bad, but not comparable to the old ones.

When it comes to annual costs, it may be surprising to hear that RepairPal says it will cost $843 a year to maintain a Land Cruiser. A Defender will reportedly cost you $859 a year, and a GX will only cost you $770 a year. Lexus has always mastered offering luxury, usability, and reliability, but the more luxurious GX is potentially cheaper to maintain each year than a Land Cruiser. If it weren’t for the starting price, it could cause a problem for the Land Cruiser. ​

Should You Still Buy A 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser?

If you are looking for off-road guts with a high level of luxury, no, you shouldn’t buy a Toyota Land Cruiser 2025 model. We’d go for the GX. You also shouldn’t buy one if you are looking for a completely new warranty and an unused model; the 2026 Land Cruiser model covers that. If you are also looking for more old-school chops in a unique build, we’d go for the Grenadier, and if you have deep pockets, go for the Defender OCTA.

However, the slightly lower Toyota Land Cruiser 2025 price still gets you proper off-road gear, an overbuilt design, fantastic retro design cues, a lot of overlanding usability, a huge pool of aftermarket parts, decent value retention, a respected nameplate, and a useful cabin. If that is what you are looking for from an SUV, yes, you should buy a 2025 Land Cruiser.

Sources: Toyota, CarEdge, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, FuelEconomy.gov, and RepairPal.