The original Land Cruiser, launched in the 1950s, quickly gained a reputation for being a durable and reliable SUV. It was widely used by the United Nations in challenging environments due to its tough build and go-anywhere capabilities. The iconic image of the white UN Land Cruisers still resonates with many people as a symbol of ultimate reliability.
As the years went by, the Land Cruiser became more expensive, with prices reaching nearly $100,000. The competition also began to catch up, making the Land Cruiser seem a bit outdated. Eventually, the Land Cruiser disappeared from the US market, leaving fans disappointed and longing for its return.
In 2023, Toyota announced the new Land Cruiser model, which was then released in the US. As a long-awaited comeback, the new Land Cruiser generated a lot of excitement among fans who had missed it.
I had the opportunity to test drive the Land Cruiser 2023 for a week in Silicon Valley, thanks to a loaner from Toyota. During my time with the vehicle, I felt the same sense of reliability and durability that its predecessor was known for. I also took my neighbor Julie, who had owned a Land Cruiser for two decades and loved it, along for a ride to experience the new model.