2013 Land Cruiser arrives

[haven]

Remember our discussion in January about how the 2011 Land Cruiser only sold 1662 units, far less than any other luxury SUV offered for sale in USA? Scott Brady argued that the Land Cruiser had strayed too far from its heritage as an iconic off-road utility vehicle. The new Land Cruiser has neither the utility to compete with vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, nor the luxurious appointments to compete with Range Rover, Mercedes G-wagen, or even with the Cadillac Escalade.

http://expeditionportal.com/compone...iser-is-the-worst-selling-suv-in-america.html

Well, Toyota is fighting back with the new Land Cruiser, which will appear in a month or two as a 2013 model. Toyota has chosen, and the new direction for the Land Cruiser is upscale. The old Upgrade package is now standard equipment, the interior has more chrome, polished wood and perforated leather, and the info-tainment system is improved. The level of appointments for the 2013 Land Cruiser will approach that of the Lexus LX460. The MSRP will increase by about $9000 as well, putting the Land Cruiser within a couple of thousand dollars of the Range Rover HSE.

For 2013, the Land Cruiser 200 series keeps all the features that make it capable off-road. It's just in a more luxurious, more expensive package now.

 

[ChuckB]

Completely agree with the linked article, sad but true.

I just spent 4 days in Muscat, Oman and you could not swing a dead cat with out hitting a 70-series or 100/200-series for that matter. I watched brand new 70s roll off the car carriers straight onto the dock, literally by the boat load.

I spent about 10 hours in a 200-series for the first time while in Oman. It was a GX-R with a V6. I didn't even know you could buy a 200 with a V6??

 

[sbly]

As a satisfied owner of a well used bloated, rounded, soft, wide, low and soulless 200 series Land Cruiser I'm interested to see the 2013 Cruiser. Since mine has taken us to various trails and roads in Ouray, Silverton, Durango, GWNF, Labrador Highway, GSMTR, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Devils Tower, Death Valley and various other State Forests and Parks.

sbly

 

[JeffRRC]

Great Toyota, that's wonderful. Now just bring us a diesel powered, stripped 70-series and we can call it even!

 

[ChuckB]

I must caveat my original post to say that I am still considering the purchase of a 200. I did enjoy my experience and thanks to people like Sbly, there is still hope!

 

[sbly]

Chuck B,

I would recommend a 200 series Cruiser.

I do agree with you guys on the 70 series Cruisers, but as a daily driver / part time adventure vehicle for the United States, I will stick with my 200 series. Having been issued both a 70 and 80 series Land Cruisers while in Afghanistan and having the opportunity to drive it in less then ideal road conditions, I would buy a 70 series if they were offered here in the US. But since they don't and they won't, then it's the 200 series for me.

 

[Dgurley2000]

Chuck B,

I would recommend a 200 series Cruiser.

Will have to wait until used ones are less that $50k.......

 

[ChuckB]

Chuck B,

I would recommend a 200 series Cruiser.

I do agree with you guys on the 70 series Cruisers, but as a daily driver / part time adventure vehicle for the United States, I will stick with my 200 series.

Stepping back into reality from my overland fantasy land, I completely agree with you. A 200 will do everything I need it to do and more.

Will have to wait until used ones are less that $50k.......

True.

 

[sbly]

Once again I have to agree with you guys, I think the 200 series Cruiser is overpriced. To be honest, I would love to see the stripped down "Australian" 200 series make it's way to the U.S. instead of the 2013 luxury model. Hell, I would like to have one of our diesel 200 series Cruisers, minus all the armor though.

 

[ChuckB]

In Oman, the GX-R 200-Series with the V6 was reported to have cost approximately $30,000 U.S. When I told the guide a 200 in the U.S. was $70K he about had a heart attack.

 

[ScottyDog]

In Oman, the GX-R 200-Series with the V6 was reported to have cost approximately $30,000 U.S. When I told the guide a 200 in the U.S. was $70K he about had a heart attack.

WOW really? Must be a trade off for oil going back to Japan... LOL.. Sorry couldn't resist.:victory:

 

[ChuckB]

It was really just a bare bones 200. No leather, NAV, wood, V8 or V8TD. I believe the V6 is the same one found in the 4-Runner/Tacoma, but that is just my logical thought and not a confirmed fact.

This whole thread speaks to the issue of Toyota moving the Land Cruiser upmarket in the U.S. and our relative quality of roads.

 

[smittycrusher]

Looking at all the pics from the middle east over the years, this looks like a smart business decision. The wealthy (oil sheik's and upper class in the US) prefer the luxurious side of a LC. A high HP 200 in the dunes of Saudia Arabia is probably a lot more fun than a 70 series would be. Toyota is probably making money hand over fist with 200 AND the 70 series...just not in the US, where the Camry, Prius, Corolla, Tacoma, Tundra, Highlander, Sequoia, Swagger Wagon, and Scion makes them money hand over fist.

Smitty

 

[r3run33]

guys if I remember right toyota pays close to 13K in tariffs for each cruise/lx brought into the good ol USA. I believe its less for cars etc; thats why there are usually so few around.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

guys if I remember right toyota pays close to 13K in tariffs for each cruise/lx brought into the good ol USA. I believe its less for cars etc; thats why there are usually so few around.

As a passenger vehicle, the LC isn't subject to the chicken tax, any tariffs would be the same for Range Rover.