The Land Cruiser 200 Series was Toyota's big wagon for almost fourteen years, and it is still one of the most sought-after four-wheel drives on the used market. Production ran from September 2007 to March 2021 1, and its replacement, the 300 Series, went on sale in Australia on 5 October 2021 1.
When this post first ran it read like a new-car review, with prices for stock that has long since sold. This refreshed version is a used buyer's guide. It explains how the 200 Series changed over its life, what each grade offered, what it can tow, and what to check before you buy one.
The Land Cruiser 200 Series in brief
In Australia the 200 Series was sold in four grades: GX, GXL, VX and Sahara 1. Over its life it received two facelifts:
- a partial update dated December 2011, for the 2013 model year 1;
- a bigger update unveiled in September 2015, for the 2016 model year 1.
The 2015 update reached Australian showrooms from mid-October 2015 2, so a car's build date tells you a lot about what it has.
The earlier facelift added Multi-terrain Select, a system with driver-selected modes for rock, dirt, moguls and mud or sand, together with adaptive anti-lock braking 1. It is worth checking which grade a car is, because not every grade had it 3.
Engines
The 200 Series is best known for its twin-turbo V8 diesel, but petrol V8s were also sold 1.
The 4.5 litre V8 diesel
The diesel is a 4.5 litre twin-turbocharged V8 2. In the 2015 update its power rose by 5 kW to 200 kW, while torque stayed at 650 Nm 2. So cars built before the update make 195 kW 2.
The update also cut the diesel's claimed combined fuel use from 10.3 to 9.5 L/100 km and brought the engine into line with Euro 5 emissions rules 2. 4X4 Australia noted that the engine gained new fuel injectors and a diesel particulate filter at the same time 3. Its test car used 13.6 L/100 km, against the 9.5 L/100 km claim 3.
The petrol V8s
Early cars could be had with a 4.7 litre petrol V8 making 202 kW and 410 Nm, listed for 2007 to 2012 1. A 4.6 litre petrol V8 followed 1. In Australia it was rated at 227 kW and 439 Nm, and the 2015 update lowered its claimed fuel use from 13.6 to 13.4 L/100 km 2.
At the 2015 update every model used a six-speed automatic 2.
What changed in the 2015 update
The 2015 update is the main dividing line for used buyers 2. GoAuto listed the key changes 2:
- new styling at the front, with a new grille, headlights, bumper, bonnet and guards, plus LED tail-lights 2;
- on the Sahara, a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert and blind-spot monitor as standard 2;
- on the VX, side airbags for the outboard second-row seats and a 9 inch touchscreen 2;
- on the GXL, roof rails and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob 2;
- on the Sahara, a four-camera system with a panoramic view and an underfloor view, plus wireless phone charging 2.
Every model had seven airbags and stability control, as well as hill-start assist 2. Two new colours, Copper Brown and Onyx Blue, took the palette to ten 2, which can help you spot an updated car at a glance.
Seats
Seat counts varied by grade, which matters if you need a third row. After the update the GX had five seats and the VX diesel and Sahara had seven 2. The other models had eight 2.
Prices when new
For context only, GoAuto listed the updated range from $76,500 for the GX diesel to $118,500 for the Sahara diesel, before on-road costs, in October 2015 2. Used prices today depend on the car's age and condition, not on what it cost new.
Towing and payload
Towing is a big part of the 200 Series' appeal. 4X4 Australia lists a braked towing capacity of 3,500 kg and a gross vehicle mass of 3,350 kg 3.
Those two numbers work against each other. The gross vehicle mass is the most the loaded car may weigh, and the tow ball weight of a heavy caravan counts towards it. A heavy van can put several hundred kilograms on the tow ball, and every kilogram of that comes off what the car itself can carry. Add a full fuel tank and a family, then a loaded drawer system, and the payload left over can shrink quickly. 4X4 Australia also noted that the suspension sits down at the rear when the car is fully loaded 3.
If you plan to tow, weigh the whole rig set up as you will use it. Our guide to the best cars for towing a caravan explains the weights to check.
Off-road equipment
The 200 Series was built for rough roads, and its off-road hardware varied by grade and year. According to 4X4 Australia's review of the updated car 3:
- KDSS, Toyota's Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, was a $3,250 option on the diesel and standard on the petrol 3. It decouples the stabiliser bars for better wheel travel off road.
- Crawl Control works only in low range 3. It manages speed on slow climbs and descents, and its Turn Assist brakes the inside rear wheel to tighten the turning circle 3.
- Multi-Terrain Select was fitted only to the VX and Sahara 3.
- Clearance and angles: 230 mm of ground clearance, a 32 degree approach angle and a 24 degree departure angle 3.
The same review found Crawl Control loud and low range noisy 3. Neither is a fault, but both are worth knowing before a test drive so you are not alarmed.
Living with one
4X4 Australia's verdict on the updated car was that Toyota "doesn't mess with a proven and popular formula" 3. It found the car refined on the road and very capable off it, but called the VX and Sahara seriously expensive 3.
The review also found faults that a used buyer should try for themselves. The GXL's touchscreen was fiddly and hard to read in sunlight 3. The roof is rated for 200 kg 3, which limits how much you can carry on a rack and tent. None of these is a reason to avoid the car, but a long test drive in daylight with the screen in use will tell you whether you can live with them.
What to check when buying a used 200 Series
A 200 Series can run a long way, but it can also lead a hard life. Some will have spent years towing heavy loads or working on rough tracks, so judge each car on its own history rather than the model's reputation. Check these points before you pay.
History and paperwork
- Service history: look for regular servicing on time, with records.
- Build date: confirm whether the car is before or after the 2015 update, because power, fuel use and equipment differ 2.
- Money owing and write-offs: Consumer Affairs Victoria says a PPSR check for money owing costs $2 4, and a vehicle report can show whether the car is listed as stolen or written off 4.
- Seeing the car: for a private sale, sight the car and its VIN or chassis number in person where you can 4.
Mechanical
- Diesel exhaust system: post-update diesels have a particulate filter 3. Ask how the car has been driven, whether any warning lights have come on and whether the exhaust system has had repairs.
- Towing wear: a car that has towed heavy loads for years may need work on its transmission, brakes and rear suspension sooner.
- Off-road damage: check underneath for dents, scrapes and bent parts, and look for mud or sand in odd places.
- Accessories: bull bars, winches, drawers and long-range tanks add weight. Make sure any suspension upgrade or GVM upgrade is certified and recorded.
Get an inspection
Pay for an independent pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic who knows these vehicles. It costs far less than a major repair, and a good inspector will also tell you which jobs are due soon, so you can factor them into the price you offer.
Our safe buying guide covers the scams to watch for in private sales, and you can work out repayments on a purchase with our car loan calculator.
200 Series or 300 Series
The 200 Series' replacement is a very different car, built on a new frame and about 200 kg lighter 1. The 300 Series dropped the V8 for a 3.3 litre twin-turbo V6 diesel 1. Our guide to the Land Cruiser 300 Series covers it in detail.
For buyers who want a V8 diesel in a large Land Cruiser wagon, a well-kept 200 Series is the one to look for, because its successor uses a V6 1. For buyers who want the newest safety and technology, the 300 Series is the better place to look.
Whichever you choose, take your time, compare several cars and walk away from any seller who will not let you inspect the car properly.
When you are ready to look, browse cars on Car Domain. You can read GoAuto's report on the 2015 update and 4X4 Australia's review for more detail on the later cars.
Sources
- Wikipedia, Toyota Land Cruiser, accessed 2 November 2026
- GoAuto, Toyota LandCruiser 200 updated, accessed 2 November 2026
- 4X4 Australia, Land Cruiser 200 Series review, accessed 2 November 2026
- Consumer Affairs Victoria, Vehicle status check, accessed 2 November 2026
