The Toyota Land Cruiser is easily one of the most iconic off-road SUVs in automotive history. However, for its 70th birthday, Toyota saw fit to give this legend some welcome gifts. Here’s how Toyota engineers explain the all-new Land Cruiser 300 Series and how it remains true to its legacy of taking you “anywhere & everywhere and come back alive & safe.” 

Is the 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series a good SUV? 

Depending on what you require in a vehicle, the 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series is one of the best SUV models out there. Unfortunately, the Land Cruiser was axed in the United States. So we won’t get this new generation here. 

But in other parts of the world, the new Land Cruiser model is an improvement that Toyota engineers claim that this new outgoing LC300 is “surpassing the predecessor.” The new Land Cruiser model is an all-new generation that improves its “ease of driving.” The former generation got some criticism for being primitive and stiff, for feeling like a truck in spite of its luxury perks. 

A primary focus for the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser generation is comfort and safety. It’s been redesigned to still retain its ever-rugged roots. All while enhancing the driving experience on all fronts. In fact, in a recent Toyota Times interview, we receive input from important members of the Toyota team, like Kazuyuki Ueno. Ueno is an LC300 test driver. His “involvement with the vehicle dates back more than 20 years to the 100 Series.”

“…with new technology we’ve been able to accomplish things that were previously beyond us, such as the steering actuator and the mounting position of the rear suspension on the ladder frame.” 

Kazuyuki Ueno | Land Cruiser test driver

Why does the new LC300 matter to consumers in the United States?

We won’t get the new generation LC300 Toyota SUV here in the states. However, this model still matters to us in the states. America’s beloved Toyota trucks and SUVs are likely to receive trickle down tech and features from the new LC300 platform. 

We won’t be surprised if models like the Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra take features from the LC300. Even luxury models like the Lexus GX will receive updates that come directly from the 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series. Everything fresh that the all-new Land Cruiser 300 Series exemplifies will inevitably play a part in the future of Toyota’s other body-on-frame trucks and Toyota SUV models. 

Land Cruiser testers and engineers have history with this Toyota SUV

The team that spends devoted time working on the Toyota Land Cruiser has the model close to their hearts. Not only is the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series a Toyota SUV that shows the manufacturer’s ability to innovate, but it also exemplifies the team’s dedication to maintaining the spirit and core of this body-on-frame off-roader. 

Drivers like Ueno actually own Land Cruisers and drive them regularly. In fact, this lends a unique and personal perspective to the creation of a new and improved Land Cruiser generation. In order to truly innovate, accountability for past shortcomings is essential. It’s clear that the entire 2022 Land Cruiser 300 Series project took care to focus on the best aspects and strengths of this Toyota SUV model. However, the team also took responsibility for past weaknesses in the Land Cruiser 200 and made an effort to improve on those fronts. 

“In past models, the shock absorbers were slightly out of alignment with tire movement when stroking, and we were able to optimize this for the 300 Series by bending the frame a little. Revamping the frame made many things possible.”

Takami Yokoo | Land Cruiser Chief Engineer