Many automotive enthusiasts in the United States cherish the Toyota Land Cruiser. With its off-road prowess and premium interior, it enables you to go on wilderness adventures while enjoying a taste of luxury. With this in mind, it’s not surprising that when Toyota announced that it would discontinue the Land Cruiser in America for the 2022 model year, many people were disappointed. However, Land Cruiser fans, cheer up, for an even better version of the iconic luxury SUV is coming to the U.S., in the form of the all-new 2022 Lexus LX 600.

Why was the Toyota Land Cruiser discontinued in the U.S.?

While the Toyota Land Cruiser enjoyed an impressive run spanning many decades, it did not sell very well in recent years in the U.S. With many other choices for luxury SUVs, such as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and BMW X7, people weren’t buying the Land Cruiser as much anymore. Also, the Land Cruiser was outdated and old and couldn’t compete with the other luxury SUVs. 

The 2022 Land Cruiser is still sold in other parts of the world, but just not in the U.S. However, with the 2022 Lexus LX 600, American luxury SUVs shoppers can get a better version of the Land Cruiser.

Similarities between the 2022 Lexus LX 600 and 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2022 Lexus LX 600 is the 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser’s sibling. It has the same body-on-frame construction and shares the same platform as the 300-Series Land Cruiser but sheds 441 pounds of weight. 

The LX 600, which is an upgrade over the previous 2021 LX 570, also has the same mechanical components as the 300-series Land Cruiser. This includes the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, which churns out 409 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. Power from the engine routes through a direct-shift 10-speed automatic transmission. 

Additionally, the LX 600 boasts the off-road prowess of the Land Cruiser. Off-road features include downhill assist control, a Torsen limited-slip differential, crawl control, a multi-terrain monitor, a multi-terrain select feature, an active height suspension, and an adaptive variable suspension.

2022 Lexus LX 600 vs. 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser: What are the differences?

The 2022 LX 600 is a fancier version of the 2022 Land Cruiser, with different exterior styling and a more luxurious interior. While the Land Cruiser has somewhat of a rugged look, the LX 600 takes things in a more premium direction. For the exterior, the biggest difference is at the front, with a prominent spindle grille for the LX 600. The LX 600 also has aluminum doors and available 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, which are the largest wheels in the Lexus lineup.

The difference between the interiors of the LX 600 and Land Cruiser is even more striking. For the cabin, the LX 600 is considerably more luxurious. For example, the seats are more comfortable and there’s greater use of premium materials. With the new Ultra Luxury trim for the LX 600, Lexus pays particular attention to enhancing the experience for the rear seat passengers. It features two luxurious chairs at the rear that can recline up to 48 degrees, as well as footrests.

When will the 2022 Lexus LX 600 be released?

While Land Cruiser enthusiasts are understandably disappointed about its discontinuation in the U.S., the 2022 Lexus LX 600 is a wonderful alternative. It has better styling and offers a level of luxury that the Land Cruiser can’t match. The redesigned LX 600 is also a considerable improvement over the previous LX 570.

The 2022 LX 600 will be available for customers soon, with a release date in the first quarter of 2022.