If you want a Toyota specifically engineered to last a long time, this is the one to buy.
Scrolling YouTube reels and I came across an interesting fact courtesy of The Fast Lane Car informing their followers that one Toyota in particular was specifically engineered to last 66% longer than the average Toyota, or any industry standard vehicle.
The setup for TFLC’s claim is there’s an unadvertised fact/general rule in the automotive industry that engineers in most car companies design their cars to last up to 150,000 miles, with general maintenance, before it suffers a major mechanical failure.
“After being in the industry for over 13 years and talking to many, many engineers, it turns out that, across the board, most new cars are designed to last 150,000 miles with regular service before major mechanical failure.”
It’s not spelled out what exactly a major mechanical failure is, but they probably include blown head gaskets, piston failures, valve failures, timing belt failures, water pumps failing, transmissions giving up, and the like.
Engineers can certainly design cars, like a Toyota Corolla, to last a lot longer than 150,000 miles, but they’d be too expensive for most.
Would you buy a $50,000 Corolla that lasts maybe 50% longer than a regular one?
Probably not.
And it’s worth noting that 150,000 miles before a mechanical failure is just the industry average. They’ll certainly be cars that buck the trend and lost a lot longer than that without issue and, even if they did have a major mechanical failure, it’s not like they can’t be fixed, within reason, back to being operational.
So, what is this Toyota that lasts 66% longer than the regular car?
“I talked to an ex Toyota engineer, and he said that in the Toyota lineup, the Land Cruiser is actually engineered to 250,000 miles before major mechanical failure. That is a big jump. In fact, the Land Cruiser is built in its own separate factory, and the quality in these vehicles is higher than the other Toyota Products.”
250,000 is 66% larger than 150,000
The Land Cruiser has been around for nearly 75 years. With its literal origin story being birthed for use by Japan’s Ground Self Defense Force as a heavy duty military-type utility vehicle, over 8 generations, it’s garnered a reputation for durability, reliability, and, longevity in all conditions, especially wartime.
Despite being a modern SUV (starting out at $57,345,) its principles of being one rugged Toyota have remained the same.
In fact, anecdotally and allegedly, according to one ex-Toyota exec responsible for the LC
“The goal with this new generation (Land Cruiser) is that it will be a vehicle that will have a 25-year life span, with repairs being made only by hand tools.”
Land Cruisers find its home in all parts of the world, especially in ones that are less developed than the United States, where paved roads are few and being able to repair one with hand tools is an absolute necessity.
It’s no wonder Toyota engineered them to last longer than most vehicles in their lineup, their clients, and the conditions they drive their Land Cruisers in demand it.
So, if you’re looking for the absolute toughest SUV out there for the money, one that’ll last you several decades and longer than any SUV, look no further than the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser.
Here’s the Land Cruiser landing page to get you started.
