Toyota simply loves to celebrate important dates with heritage editions of its cars. Especially ones involving the almighty Land Cruiser (per my humble opinion the best vehicle on Earth, like ever). Revealed ahead of the official live debut at the Chicago Motor Show next month, the Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition celebrates 60+ years of the Land Cruiser in the US. Although the Land Cruiser 200 is a decade old, it is still very much at the pinnacle of luxurious world of off-roaders. The Heritage Edition did gain a few interesting differentiating touches, but in essence, it is still very much the same body-on-frame truck with a two-speed transfer case and selectable low gear that it was a decade ago.

During its ten year tenure on the market, Toyota celebrated a number of anniversaries and important dates with the Land Cruiser 200. In 2013, Toyota said that the “Land Cruiser is the Luxurious Descendant of A Proud 50-Year Off-Road Heritage” In 2014 Toyota said that the “Land Cruiser Luxury SUV Doesn’t Look A Day Over 50” In 2016 Toyota mentioned that the “Land Cruiser Celebrates 60th Year in America with Ultimate Capability and Luxury” And, finally, in 2019 - “Land Cruiser Heritage Edition Celebrates 60+ Years as SUV Icon”

2019 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition Exterior

On the Canary Islands, no less. My close friend was actually at that presentation, and he said that Toyota test drivers drove those Land Cruisers like there’s no tomorrow. Those Land Cruisers doughtily crossed all the volcanic Basalt rocks that were under their tires. Actually, here’s a picture from that very presentation. Enjoy!

The new Land Cruiser, scheduled to appear in Chicago, is a bit different compared to the ones from the Canary Islands. Toyota integrated a number of special touches to the Heritage Edition LC, including the:

-* Midnight Black Metallic or Blizzard Pearl paint jobs options

-* Blacked out grille

-* Bronze-colored BBS 18 x 8.0-inch forged aluminum wheels

-* Tinted headlight housings

-* Fog lights with dark chrome surrounds

-* Side mirrors with darkened chrome.

A badass car, isn’t it?

2019 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition Interior

Moving inside, Toyota used the same tricks. The Land Cruiser Heritage Edition has:

-* Black leather-trimmed upholstery,

-* Contrast bronze stitching (steering wheel, door trim, center stack, console, and seats)

-* All-weather floor mats

-* All-weather cargo liner

As this is a special edition car with production capped at 1,200 units, Toyota really loaded it up with all the gizmos imaginable, including ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a moonroof, and a four-zone automatic climate control with 28 cabin vents (I am not joking - 28 vents inside this car).

As far as modern connectivity tech goes, the Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition includes:

-* Nine-inch touchscreen

-* Premium JBL Audio with Integrated Navigation

-* 14 JBL speakers

-* Split-screen capability

-* Voice recognition

-* Siri Eyes Free mode

-* Qi wireless phone charging

2019 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition Drivetrain

Obviously, a proper power source is needed, and that job falls on the shoulders of the trusty Toyota V-8 that’s also more than a decade old. It is linked with the eight-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, a full-time 4WD with a TORSEN limited-slip locking center diff and, of course, a 2-speed transfer case. Other off-road worthy touches come in the shape of Downhill Assist Control, Hill Start Assist, CRAWL Control, and Off-Road Turn Assist. Amazing really!

Pricing

Pricing will be announced at a later date, but the 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser starts at $86,060. The Heritige Edition will be considerably more expensive.

Final Thoughts

Toyota celebrated a lot of stuff with its heritage edition cars. Three years ago Toyota celebrated the 50th anniversary with the Toyota Corolla 50th Anniversary edition car. In 2011, Toyota revealed Heritage Editions of the Corolla, the Hilux, and the Fortuner in South Africa. These vehicles have been created to pay homage to Toyota's 50 years in South Africa. And, most interestingly, in 2013 Toyota revealed the 1794 Edition Toyota Tundra - a truck that celebrated the oldest working ranch in Texas - the JLC ranch. Obviously, the ranch was founded in 1794.

Toyota will make 1,200 units of the 2020 Land Cruiser Heritage Edition available. Go, order it right now and you may get the first one in late summer 2019.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser.

Read our full review on the previous generation Toyota Land Cruiser.