The LC300 is a hit instantly.
Toyota’s new Land Cruiser was unveiled a few months ago. It already has an order backlog that will keep it busy over the next 12 months. Although reservations were being accepted by the Japanese automaker before the LC300’s launch, it appears that many of these have been converted into actual orders. Japanese magazine Car Watch reported that placing an order today requires at least one year of waiting before delivery.
It is clear that many people have been waiting for Toyota’s replacement of the LC200 since 2007. It is remarkable to see the strong customer demand, even though the full-size, body-on frame SUV has not yet been introduced in all markets. The order books will get thicker when that happens.
The United States will not be one of these markets, as Toyota has pulled the plug on the Land Cruiser North America. The new Lexus LX should be available for purchase in the 2023 model year. The company may change its mind and bring back Land Cruisers to lower the price, as buyers are more interested in the Land Cruiser’s off-road capabilities than its luxurious interior.
The production of the new Land Cruiser has been temporarily stopped at Yoshiwara, Japan (August 5-6), due to parts shortages caused by the spread coronavirus in southeast Asia. The LC200-based Lexus counterpart will also be affected, as well as the LC70 which, despite its age, will continue to be in production. Toyota has just released a special edition to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the 37-year old SUV. The new model is available in Australia, where the Land Cruiser LC70 will be updated in 2022. This update will bring enhanced safety and greater hauling capabilities.
The LC300 is priced at 5,100,000 yen in Japan (about $46,500), and 8,000,000 yen ($73,000 for the diesel engine in GR Sport trim. This seems reasonable considering that the Heritage Edition was the last American SUV to be released. It cost nearly $90,000. That’s almost Lexus LX money.