Out of all the major launches that automakers are preparing for 2021, one of the most important is undoubtedly the 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser. An off-roading icon and the counterculture T-shirt wearing equivalent to the cardigan-wearing Land Rover family. The current-generation Land Cruiser has been on the scene for several years now, but it’s starting to get long in the tooth, especially in the face of tightening fuel economy regulations and evolving rivals. As a result, Toyota has unveiled the 2022 model, bringing newfound vigor and new technology to the venerable full-size trail buster.
Bigger And Better Land Cruiser Comes With A Prominent Catch
So far, it seems like there could be nothing that can stand in the way of your Land Cruiser purchase, right? Wrong, with Toyota revealing that the United States will not be getting the model, with the outgoing one serving as our country’s last taste of Land Cruiser magic. But if your willing to make the plane ride to the regions of the world where the 2022 Land Cruiser will be sold, you will like what it brings to the table for the new model year.
The exterior styling has been completely revamped, with the front fascia featuring all-new headlights and a reworked grille design that is more aggressive and assertive than the outgoing model. The long-rumored GR Sport variant moves the dial up a notch and comes with minor adornments that enhance its looks and contribute to functionality. The side profile is largely unchanged from the old model, with the rear styling smoothing out some of the rough edges and adding new taillights. The look allows the Land Cruiser to be brawny and modern at the same time, with the all-new TNGA platform bringing weight savings to the Land Cruiser. This platform is also slated for the 2022 Tundra pick-up and looks for similar gains in that model.
Technology Makes A Bigger Mark In Land Cruiser Interior
One of the glaring weaknesses that defined the Land Cruiser was its technology. The outgoing model did not offer much when it came to key pillar expectations like infotainment and comfort. The interior of the 2022 version eliminates this, and Toyota engineers have made massive changes to help bring it into the modern age. A 9.0-inch infotainment screen is the standard unit on hand, but buyers can opt for a larger 12.3-inch screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is part of the package, and the SUV even comes equipped with a wireless phone charging pad.
A novel fingerprint ID system is coming to the Land Cruiser. At the same time, an air ionizer, an electronically adjustable steering wheel, and adaptive high beams are just some of the Lexus flavored luxuries that will be making their way to the Land Cruiser for the 2022 model year. In addition, Toyota’s Safety Sense suite of driver assistance tech is also making its way to the Land Cruiser for 2022 with goodies such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and more.
Twin-Turbo V6 Loses Cylinders But Still Gains Plenty Of Power
However, the biggest change is found under the hood, with the 5.7 liter naturally aspirated V8 being retired. In its place is an all-new 3.5 liter V6 that produces 409 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. Of course, boost is king, and the increased boost helps the new V6 crank out an extra 30 hp compared with the outgoing V8. There’s also 80 extra lb-ft of torque, and Tundra buyers should be taking notes since there’s a good chance that this engine and the aforementioned figures will be carried over to the pickup intact.
Other regions of the world will also get a 3.3. liter turbodiesel, but the gas engine is arguably where the spotlight will shine the brightest, with the willing engine being mated to a 10-speed automatic, allowing the Land Cruiser to make the sprint to 62 mph in 6.7 seconds. Along with the boosted engine, the Land Cruiser is also boasting upgrades in other areas. That includes the adaptive variable suspension and an upgraded version of the familiar electronically controlled kinetic dynamic suspension stabilization system (E-KDSS.) In addition, an upgraded Multi-Terrain selector now has modes for Deep Snow and an Auto mode.
How Much Of The Land Cruiser’s Technology Will Make It Stateside?
As mentioned, the Land Cruiser is not coming to the United States, but some of the inner workings are slated to come stateside. Many of them will end up in the 2022 Toyota Tundra, which will make its debut soon. With both of them already having an established history of borrowing parts from each other when needed, it would not be a major shock if this were to occur again.
The key pieces would include the 3.5 liter V6, some but not all of the off-road hardware, as well as some of the core interior pieces that make the 2022 Land Cruiser tick. Of course, we hope that Toyota will eventually reverse its decision and bring the Land Cruiser back to our shores, but in the meantime, we look forward to seeing some of this hardware come in a distinctly pickup-shaped wrapper.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.