Toyota’s Sense of Adventure: The Brand’s Popular Off-Road SUVs

While blazing a new trail isn’t exactly a modern invention (we’re looking at you, Louis and Clark), the popularity of off-roading has been steadily on the rise over the last decade. Why? Because more drivers are discovering the beauty of escaping the hustle and bustle of their routine by venturing off the pavement and down the trail. As your Toyota SUV dealer, we share your passion for off-roading, especially since Toyota and Lexus, the luxury division of the Toyota brand, have so much to offer in terms of capable and comfortable off-road SUVs.

The Land Cruiser is Toyota’s most popular off-road SUV but, despite being on the road for six decades, it has finally met its end with the 2021 model. However, this isn’t terrible news to off-roaders, who are known for shopping for pre-owned models that offer greater value and extra savings to spend on modifications and accessories. But what other models do Toyota and Lexus have to offer, and what distinguishes these off-road warriors? Let’s find out.

Toyota Land Cruiser

The Land Cruiser was born of necessity in the early 1950s with the outbreak of the Korean War. The United States needed military trucks to support South Korea against the North Koreans and Chinese and tasked Toyota with developing a truck to meet their needs. The Land Cruiser, initially named the Jeep BJ, met that need and was later adopted by the National Police Agency of Japan. By the end of the decade, the Land Cruiser made its way to the United States, where it became an instant success because of its rugged capability and versatility.

Since then, the Land Cruiser has established itself as a legendary adventurer that’s evolved to meet the growing demands of drivers. The 2021 Land Cruiser is the epitome of this evolution and offers exceptional four-wheel-drive capability along with unmatched luxury and cutting-edge technology that is reflected in its high price tag. This high price is rumored to be a big reason for its discontinuation after 2021.

Whether you’re shopping for a 2021 Land Cruiser or an older model, you’ll find the SUV delivers plenty of power and versatility. For example, the 2021 Land Cruiser is powered by a 5.7-liter V8 that delivers 381 horsepower, 401 lb-ft of torque, and a max towing capacity of 8,100 pounds. It’s also equipped with front and rear tow hooks, mudguards, and skid plates, all of which add to its value and rugged aesthetic. Many off-roaders, however, prefer to customize their Land Cruiser to their needs, which is incredibly easy on Toyota’s iconic SUV. Some of the most popular modifications include:

• Removing the running boards to improve ground clearance and the breakover angle.
• Removing the rear mud flaps to avoid damaging the rear bumper when descending steep grades or rock crawling.
• Adding all-terrain or mud-terrain tires to boost the Land Cruiser’s trail-running capability and, depending on size, add an inch or two of ground clearance.
• Adding an off-road suspension and lift kit and replacing the shocks to improve overall performance.

Lexus GX / Land Cruiser Prado

Lexus is a division of Toyota, which is why you’ll find many similarities between these rugged off-road SUVs. For example, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is available overseas but, in North America, it’s known as the Lexus GX. To make matters more confusing, the GX is built on the Land Cruiser Prado platform, while the larger Lexus LX is the Lexus version of the Land Cruiser. Think of the Lexus as a fancier and more luxurious Toyota, and you won’t be far off.

The first-generation Lexus GX was in production from 2003 to 2009 and looked almost identical to the Toyota lineup since it was built on the Prado platform and featured the same suspension as the 4Runner. By the debut of the second-generation GX in 2010, the SUV further distinguished itself as a luxury SUV with off-road capability, prioritizing luxury over rugged looks.

This distinction is apparent in the 2021 Lexus GX 460, which comes equipped with luxuries and conveniences like a heated wood-trimmed steering wheel, built-in navigation, power third-row seats, and a premium sound system. It also delivers plenty of power with its 4.6-liter V8 producing 301 horsepower, 329 lb-ft of torque, and a towing capacity of up to 6,500 pounds. This is slightly less than the power and capability you’ll find on the Land Cruiser.

With the Lexus GX delivering plenty of power and four-wheel-drive capability, it’s a popular off-road rig that, like the Land Cruiser, is easy to modify. Some of the most common modifications for the Lexus GX include:

• Upgrading the suspension and shocks to improve off-road ride quality and performance.
• Replacing the stock bumper with a high-strength bumper to offer improved protection on the trail.
• Ditching the running boards for greater ground clearance.
• Adding all-terrain tires for better traction and grip.

Lexus LX

The Lexus LX is the brand’s original luxury SUV and made its debut in 1995. As Lexus’ first SUV, the automaker didn’t waste any time making improvements to the model, introducing the second-generation LX in 1998 with a new, more powerful V8 engine and a more rugged body. Additional improvements continued into the new millennium as the LX earned high praise for its rugged capability, reliability, and versatility. By the third generation, the LX was well-established as the Land Cruiser of the Lexus lineup and had a loyal following of drivers who appreciated its off-road capability as well its array of luxury and convenience features.

The 2021 Lexus LX continues the SUV’s third generation with several new updates, including the LX Sport Package, which adds 21-inch wheels, a new sport grille, body-color accents, and leather trim. The LX’s capability is better than ever with its 5.7-liter V8 engine that delivers 383 horsepower, 403 lb-ft of torque, and a maximum towing capacity of 7,000 pounds. This is only a slight difference from the Land Cruiser.

Like the Lexus GX and the Toyota Land Cruiser, the LX is a popular SUV among off-roaders looking for a rig that’s easy to modify for the trail. In fact, the same modifications enhance how the SUV performs off the beaten path with an upgraded suspension and shocks, improving ground clearance and ride quality. Installing all-terrain tires adds traction while adding a roof rack can extend the SUV’s cargo capacity, making it easy to haul items like backpacks, tools, camping gear, and other equipment.

Toyota 4Runner

While the Land Cruiser, Lexus LX, and Lexus GX are truly remarkable luxury SUVs that can handle themselves on the trail, they aren’t as affordable as the Toyota 4Runner. The 4Runner is one of the most versatile SUVs you’ll find on the road because it’s designed to do everything from navigating your daily commute to towing a camper and blazing a new trail. We see this capability extend even further in models like the TRD Pro, which readies the 4Runner for the trail straight from the factory.

The do-anything vehicle is a great purchase, new or used, because of its vast number of features, its wide range of capabilities, and its many modification options. For example, the 2021 TRD Pro is newly designed for the year and now comes equipped with one of the top-rated off-road tires on the market – Nitto Terra Grapplers. You’ll also find the SUV is equipped with 2.5-inch Fox shocks and TRD-tuned coil springs that improve ground clearance in the front for exceptional crawling ability. These components and a variety of others, like tow hooks, skid plates, a roof rack, and LED lighting, add exceptional value to the 4Runner.

The 4Runner is perhaps the easiest Toyota to modify for off-roading because of models like the TRD Pro that already offer a host of off-road components. However, that isn’t to say you can’t modify the 4Runner even further to meet your needs on the trail. Some of the most popular mods include:

• Adding a winch for getting yourself out of dicey situations.
• Adding a radio so you can communicate with others on the trail.
• Replacing the front and rear bumpers with heavier-duty options that offer greater protection.
• Adding light bars for enhanced visibility.

Where Will Your Toyota Take You?

The Toyota and Lexus brands are truly intertwined, as we see in models like the Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Lexus GX, Lexus LX, and Toyota 4Runner. The Land Cruiser, Prado, GX, and LX distinguish themselves by slightly different features, with the Lexus models focusing more on luxury and refinement while the Toyotas focus on capability. The 4Runner is the wild card in the bunch and is Toyota’s best-selling and most affordable off-road rig that truly lives up to the “go anywhere, do anything” mantra. So, which Toyota or Lexus will you choose – the Land Cruiser, GX, LX, or 4Runner? Adventure is calling; it’s time to answer.