There was no 2019 redesign of the Toyota Land Cruiser. The 2019 model was a 200 Series (J200), the generation that went on sale in 2007 and remained in production through 2021. The next redesign — the 300 Series — did not appear until June 2021, so the 2019 Land Cruiser was a well-established, full-size body-on-frame SUV rather than a new-generation model. This article explains what the 2019 Land Cruiser actually was, what it offered, and when the genuine redesign finally arrived.
The 200 Series Lineage
The 200 Series replaced the 100 Series and was introduced in late 2007 as a 2008 model. It kept the Land Cruiser’s body-on-frame construction and permanent four-wheel drive while adding a bigger, more powerful V8 and more luxury equipment. For a broader look across the range, see our Toyota Review coverage. Toyota updated it in stages: a facelift around 2012 and a more extensive revision for 2016 that brought a new eight-speed automatic transmission, revised styling, and updated safety technology. The 2019 model sits in that final phase of the generation’s life.
2019 Land Cruiser Specs
| Model year | 2019 |
| Generation | 200 Series (J200) |
| Engine | 5.7L DOHC V8 (3UR-FE), 381 hp / 401 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Full-time four-wheel drive |
| EPA fuel economy | 13 city / 18 hwy / 15 combined mpg |
| U.S. base price | $85,165 (plus $1,295 destination) |
Pricing and Equipment
In the United States the Land Cruiser was sold as a single, fully loaded trim rather than a range of grades. For 2019 that meant a base price of $85,165 before the $1,295 destination charge, or about $86,060 out the door, according to CarsDirect. Standard equipment included leather upholstery, a premium audio system, a large touchscreen infotainment setup, and a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features. That pricing placed it above the three-row Sequoia in Toyota’s lineup.
Body-on-Frame Capability
Unlike most modern SUVs, the Land Cruiser retained a ladder frame and permanent four-wheel drive with a Torsen limited-slip locking center differential. Toyota’s Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) hydraulically adjusted the anti-roll bars to improve both wheel articulation off-road and cornering stability on pavement, while Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select tuned traction for surfaces such as rock, mud, and sand. With the standard trailer-tow package, the 2019 model could pull up to 8,100 pounds and carry a payload of about 1,250 pounds. Full-time four-wheel drive meant all four wheels received torque at all times, which aided traction on loose surfaces and helped build the model’s overlanding following.
Fuel Economy
The 5.7-liter V8 was not an efficient engine. The EPA rated the 2019 Land Cruiser at 13 mpg in the city, 18 mpg on the highway, and 15 mpg combined. That figure reflects the SUV’s size, weight, and permanent four-wheel-drive system, and it was one of the reasons buyers eventually gravitated toward the more efficient engine options that followed. For comparison, most smaller crossovers of the same era were rated in the high 20s combined, underlining how much fuel the full-size, V8-powered Land Cruiser consumed.
The 300 Series and the U.S. Discontinuation
Toyota unveiled the replacement 300 Series Land Cruiser on June 9, 2021, moving to twin-turbocharged V6 engines and a new GA-F platform. Toyota had already confirmed in December 2020 that the Land Cruiser would be discontinued in North America after the 2021 model year, so the 300 Series was never sold new in the United States; the nameplate returned there later with the smaller 250 Series.
Heritage and Reputation
The Land Cruiser is Toyota’s longest-running model series, with production dating back to 1951. Cumulative sales passed 10 million units by 2019, and the nameplate built a reputation for durability in some of the world’s toughest environments, including the Australian outback. Toyota Auto Body raced the 200 Series in the Group T2 production class of the Dakar Rally from 2009 to 2022, a further demonstration of the platform’s durability.
Interior and Comfort
As Toyota’s flagship SUV, the 200 Series Land Cruiser was well equipped as standard. It offered three rows of seating, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a premium audio system, and a large infotainment display. The cabin prioritized long-distance comfort and quietness over outright sportiness, which suited its role as a vehicle designed to cover huge distances on poor roads.
How the 2019 Land Cruiser Drove
Independent testing recorded a 0–60 mph time of about 6.7 seconds, quick for a vehicle of its size and weight, and the 5.7-liter V8 delivered its power smoothly. The permanent four-wheel-drive system and KDSS suspension gave it a composed ride on pavement while preserving genuine off-road ability. Fuel economy remained the main compromise, and the combination of size and thirst made it a niche choice in the United States.
What Buyers Can Find Today
Because the 200 Series ran from 2008 through 2021, the 2019 model is now a used vehicle, and well-kept examples hold their value thanks to the model’s reliability record. Buyers comparing it with the later 300 Series should note that the 300 was never sold new in the United States, so anyone wanting a new-generation Land Cruiser in North America has to look at the smaller 250 Series instead. Those who want the traditional body-on-frame formula in a more compact package can compare the 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser Review with the 2019 Toyota Prado Release Date, Changes and Review.
