One of the most popular car brands in the world is Toyota. Known for the Camry, RAV4, and Highlander models, among others, the company offers fuel-efficient, award-winning, reliable vehicles that rarely see any complaints.

But one thing Toyota has grappled with lately is its price-point, which often sees customers and reviewers alike wondering if the higher price for a Toyota is worth it. While still being rated as the most valuable brand (per Statista), Toyota could begin pricing themselves out of the market. So what does Toyota’s most expensive SUV have to offer?

What exactly is a luxury car?

Luxury used to only mean cars, and only those that backed it up with style and size. Today, it describes any vehicle that’s willing to invest in the label. The dictionary defines luxury as “the state of great comfort and extravagant living.” Certified Autoplex considers a luxury vehicle one that has “high-end features that go above and beyond the average necessities.”

They further explain that while the term used to be reserved for brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and Cadillac, it can now apply to mainstream brands that you wouldn’t expect. This includes some Toyota SUVs.

But there are specific things required if a vehicle wants to be considered luxury. It should have lavish interiors, all the latest safety features, the most up-to-date technology, and better performance capabilities. 

According to Cars.com, luxury brands also do things differently regarding marketing, helping shoppers think of the brands as better. Warranties may be longer, and owners may benefit from extra services. 

This Toyota SUV wants to be your next luxury vehicle

You might not think of Toyota as a luxury brand; after all, it has Lexus for that. But Toyota isn’t the only brand that has surprising contenders. For example, Car.com’s Luxury Car of the Year for 2020 was a truck (2020 Ram 1500 Longhorn or Limited). 

So which Toyota SUV wants to be considered among the luxury crowd? The Toyota Land Cruiser, which is set to either exit the market or get a redesign in 2022, is looking to get your attention.

The Toyota Land Cruiser might be worth the high price tag

The Land Cruiser doesn’t necessarily look like what you’d expect a luxury SUV to be from the outside. While some sporty vehicles cross over to luxury and often get tossed in the mix due to high-end engines and technology packages, not all are considered luxury.

While the Land Cruiser’s exterior has chrome side molding and LED lighting, it’s what this Toyota SUV has to offer on the inside that counts. Starting at a little over $85,000, the price tag is quite steep, even for a luxury vehicle. 

It brings a unique blend of sophistication to its off-road ability. With seating for up to eight passengers, it certainly offers space. The 5.7L V8 engine is borrowed from the Lexus, and its 8-speed transmission and suspension make it a smooth drive.

There is an available cooler box and heated and ventilated leather-trimmed seats to make long drives more comfortable. It also has a heated steering wheel, which is quite luxurious. The four-zone automatic climate control will keep your drive comfortable. 

If you’re looking to enjoy a superb sound system, the standard 14 speaker audio system with surround sound with 8-in subwoofer and 605-watt amplifier will keep you on your toes. You’ll also get integrated navigation, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, and a multi-information display up front.

You can opt for a moonroof to enjoy your music under the stars or fold down the rear seats to enjoy the 82+ feet of cargo space. Of course, the safety features feel luxury-worthy too, keeping you safe on all sides and no matter what road you’re on.

Would you consider this luxurious Toyota SUV?

It’s hard to know what makes a luxury car luxurious enough to warrant $85,000, but it will likely come down to brand, features, and what you can afford. After all, most people buy a car on a feeling.