Should You Take the Toyota Land Cruiser Off Road?
Don’t let the Toyota Land Cruiser’s focus on luxury fool you—it’s a proven off-road pro. Read about its off-roading specs here.
While it appears the Toyota Land Cruiser has seen its last year of production for the U.S. auto market, the final 2021 model year for the Land Cruiser offers 8.9 inches of ground clearance, a powerful V8, and off-road-specific engineering that can keep you on the trails for years to come.
Choosing the right vehicle for your next off-road adventure is about more than just good tires and 4WD. To make sure you have all the information you need before you hit the trail,
Jerry
, the super app built to save drivers money on car insurance
, is here with the Toyota Land Cruiser’s off-road rating.From ground clearance to torque and tires to drivetrain, we’ve included all the off-roading specs you need—and even a tip on how to save on
Toyota Land Cruiser car insurance
!Can the Toyota Land Cruiser go off road?
Most definitely—the Toyota Land Cruiser can go off road! Disciples of the
Church of Land Cruiser
know that this ute isn’t afraid to get dirty. But with a near-six-figure starting price, it may be a bit out of reach for many drivers.The base 2021 Land Cruiser has an MSRP of $87,030. Luckily, this monstrous price tag includes all the off-road equipment you need.
That said, if you really want to turn the luxe factor up to 11, you can pay an additional $2,200 for the Heritage Edition. Not only will you get a booming JBL audio system, but you’ll also get an upgraded camera system with multiple viewing angles to help you when navigating tricky terrain.
All that aside, let’s see what makes the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser a good off-road option, despite the hefty price tag.
Ground clearance
Ground clearance becomes important when you’re looking to take your truck off road or over rough terrain. Put simply, ground clearance is the distance from the lowest point on your truck’s chassis to the ground.
For optimal off-roading capability, experts recommend a ground clearance of at least 8.8 to 10.8 inches. The Land Cruiser offers 8.9 inches of ground clearance, placing it at an optimal ride height for hitting the trails.
The more ground clearance you have, the easier it will be to navigate uneven terrain and the less likely you’ll be to damage your vehicle’s undercarriage.
Torque
Your best trail-tacklers will feature high torque at a low rpm. This is what gives you the power you need to get through thick mud or deep snow and over steep inclines without having to make a run at them.
The Toyota Land Cruiser spins up 401 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm. That’s some serious grunt to get you through or over whatever you might encounter. This also allows the Land Cruiser to tow up to a class-leading 8,100 pounds.
Tires
Your Toyota Land Cruiser comes equipped with Dunlop Grandtrek AT23
all-terrain tires
. The grippy tread is perfect for tackling the toughest of trails.RECOMMENDED
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Drivetrain
To go off road, your vehicle needs at least all-wheel drive, but there’s a reason people call serious off-roading four-wheeling. Four-wheel drive (4WD) is designed specifically for those extreme scenarios you might encounter off road—like fallen trees, mud, ruts, and even rocks.
The Toyota Land Cruiser is equipped with full-time 4WD and features:
- Multi-Terrain Select—This allows you or the Land Cruiser to choose the best operating range for the terrain you’re on.
- Crawl Control—Activated with the simple press of a button, this helps the Land Cruiser maintain the slow, steady acceleration needed for challenging terrain.
- Turn Assist—This can tighten your Land Cruiser’s turn radius to help you navigate snug settings.
Angles
Another off-roading aspect at which the Land Cruiser excels is geometry—specifically, approach and departure angles.
- Angle of approach is the maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference.
- Angle of departure is the maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference.
The Land Cruiser’s approach and departure angles are 32 degrees and 24 degrees, respectively, making it ideal for negotiating quick changes uphill and downhill.
Off-road rating: Rough and Ready
Let’s check the Toyota Land Cruiser’s off-road rating per
Jerry’s
super-technical DIRT rating system, which is broken down in the table below:
Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
D | Don’t Try It | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
I | In a Pinch | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
R | Rough and Ready | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
T | Trail Boss | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
The Toyota Land Cruiser earns a T rating. The Land Cruiser’s off-road chops are virtually unmatched in its class.
The best off-road alternatives to the Toyota Land Cruiser
Every year adds more options to the list of choices for off-road-ready SUVs. If you think the Toyota Land Cruiser isn’t up to the trail tasks you’ll put before it, you might consider one of these options in its place:
Alternative | Model | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Best affordable alternative | 2022 Infiniti QX80 | $71,100 | You’ll save thousands with the Infiniti QX80 and still pick up a burly off-road-capable vehicle. |
Best luxury alternative | 2022 Lexus LX 600 | $88,245 | The Lexus LX and the Land Cruiser are mechanically identical, but the LX offers a more upscale interior. |
Best alternative for serious off-roading | $105,850 | There’s not much you can do in a Range Rover that isn’t also possible in the Land Cruiser, but if you really want that Land Rover badge, this is your pick. |
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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles
If you’re buying a Toyota Land Cruiser, you’re not only buying an off-road-capable vehicle but also one that features some major luxury appointments.
Together, these are likely to make insurance companies sit up and take notice, which can translate into massive premiums for coverage. But if you shop for
car insurance
with Jerry
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