If you want to announce to the world that you’ve arrived, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is one of the best ways to do it.
With its iconic shape, genuine off-road chops, and celebrity-like persona, there is no doubt the G-Wagen is one of the undisputed heavyweights of the luxury SUV world. But for the 2027 model year, Toyota proves you don’t need to drop six figures to own a boxy, heritage-inspired icon that can handle the trail and look good in Instagram posts.
With the 2027 Land Cruiser, Toyota offers its own legendary off-roader that matches the G-Wagen’s hybrid tech and capability for a fraction of the price. If you’re looking for an adventure-ready status symbol, hold the phone because the Land Cruiser might be the superior choice.
- Base Trim Engine
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2.4L I-FORCE MAX I4 Hybrid
- Base Trim Transmission
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8-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Four-Wheel Drive
The most glaring difference is the cost of entry, with the Mercedes G 550 starting at $153,900 for the 2026 model year, rising to nearly $200,000 for the AMG variant. By contrast, the 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser starts at $57,880 (excluding destination charges and other fees).
At this rate, you could buy nearly three Land Cruisers for the price of one AMG G 63 and still have enough leftover for modifications and accessories.
Quiz
The Toyota Land Cruiser
From wartime jeep to global icon — how well do you know the world’s most legendary off-roader?
HistoryModelsOff-RoadEngineeringGlobal
In what year did Toyota introduce the first vehicle that would eventually become known as the Land Cruiser?
Correct! The BJ, Toyota’s first prototype for what became the Land Cruiser, was introduced in 1951. It was developed partly in response to a request from the Japanese National Police Reserve and drew heavy inspiration from the Willys Jeep used during World War II.
Not quite. The vehicle that became the Land Cruiser debuted in 1951 as the BJ prototype. Toyota developed it for military and police use, heavily influenced by the American Willys Jeep that had been seen across Japan during the post-war occupation.
What was the original name given to the Land Cruiser before Toyota officially adopted the ‘Land Cruiser’ nameplate in 1954?
Correct! The early models were simply called the Toyota Jeep BJ, a nod to their Willys Jeep inspiration. Toyota adopted the ‘Land Cruiser’ name in 1954 to give the vehicle its own distinct identity and avoid trademark conflicts.
Not quite. The original name was the Toyota Jeep BJ. The ‘BJ’ stood for the engine type and body configuration used. Toyota rebranded it as the Land Cruiser in 1954 to establish a unique identity separate from the American Jeep trademark.
Which Land Cruiser series, introduced in 1967, became one of the most iconic and long-running body styles, beloved for its boxy look and off-road capability?
Correct! The 40 Series launched in 1960 and was refined through 1967 into its most recognizable form, running until 1984. It became legendary worldwide for its near-indestructible build quality, earning a devoted following from the Australian outback to the African savanna.
Not quite. The 40 Series is the answer. Produced from 1960 through 1984, it defined the rugged, utilitarian image of the Land Cruiser. It remains one of the most collected and respected off-road vehicles ever built, still actively used in remote regions around the globe.
The Land Cruiser 80 Series, produced from 1990 to 1997, was notable for introducing which major suspension technology to the lineup?
Correct! The 80 Series replaced the previous leaf spring setup with coil springs on all four corners, dramatically improving both on-road comfort and off-road articulation. This made it one of the first serious off-roaders to bridge the gap between luxury comfort and genuine 4×4 capability.
Not quite. The 80 Series introduced coil springs on all four corners, a major engineering leap over the older leaf spring designs. This change gave the Land Cruiser exceptional wheel articulation off-road while also making it far more comfortable to drive on paved roads.
Which continent is often cited as having the highest concentration of Land Cruisers in active daily use, particularly older 70 Series and 80 Series models?
Correct! Africa has an extraordinarily high concentration of Land Cruisers, used by NGOs, aid organizations, governments, and rural communities across the continent. The vehicles’ legendary reliability and ease of repair in remote areas make them the go-to choice where roads are rough and service stations are scarce.
Not quite. Africa is the continent most associated with Land Cruiser density in everyday use. Organizations like the United Nations and Red Cross rely heavily on them, and in many African nations the Land Cruiser is essentially the default vehicle for anyone who needs to travel through difficult terrain reliably.
The Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series has been in continuous production since 1984. As of 2024, in which of these markets is it still actively sold as a new vehicle?
Correct! Australia is one of the key markets where the 70 Series is still sold new, and it remains enormously popular there for farming, mining, and outback travel. Its no-frills, ultra-durable design has kept it relevant for over four decades with relatively modest updates.
Not quite. Australia is a major market where the 70 Series is still sold as a brand-new vehicle in 2024. The 70 Series was never officially sold in the United States, and its spartan, work-focused design makes it perfectly suited to Australia’s demanding rural and mining industries.
What does the KDSS system, available on modern Land Cruiser models, stand for and what does it do?
Correct! KDSS stands for Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, and it uses hydraulic cylinders to effectively disconnect the front and rear stabilizer bars during off-road driving. This allows greater wheel articulation over uneven terrain while automatically re-engaging the bars for improved stability on paved roads.
Not quite. KDSS is the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System. It hydraulically disconnects the stabilizer bars when off-roading to let the wheels move more independently over obstacles, then reconnects them on-road for better handling. It’s one of the clever engineering features that sets modern Land Cruisers apart from simpler 4x4s.
Toyota temporarily discontinued Land Cruiser sales in the United States after the 2021 model year. Which model was announced as a spiritual successor for the American market?
Correct! Toyota brought the Land Cruiser back to the US market for the 2024 model year with an all-new, more affordable model. The new Land Cruiser returned with a twin-turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, a retro-inspired boxy design, and a significantly lower price point than the outgoing 200 Series.
Not quite. Toyota officially revived the Land Cruiser nameplate for the US market with the 2024 Land Cruiser. This new model was a major departure from the outgoing 200 Series — it featured a hybrid powertrain, a rugged retro aesthetic, and a price tag designed to make it more accessible than its predecessor.
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Out of the two trim levels for the 2027 Land Cruiser, the 1958 model leans into the retro aesthetic with its round LED headlamps that mirror the classic silhouette of the G-Class.
Toyota’s CALTY Design Research studio focused on upright, boxy proportions and a flat roofline for the 2027 Land Cruiser in order to maintain its vintage-inspired look. More contemporary touches include LED lighting, available 20-inch wheels, and available color-selectable Rigid fog lights.
Robust hybrid powertrains
Both the G-Glass and Land Cruiser deliver big numbers
For the first time, both vehicles are playing the hybrid game. Mercedes-Benz recently replaced its base V8 with a 443-horsepower mild-hybrid inline-six, but Toyota’s i-FORCE MAX is a formidable powertrain.
While the 2027 Land Cruiser has less horsepower (326 combined), it delivers 465 lb-ft. of torque, which is 52 lb-ft. more than the gas engine output of the standard G 550 (413 lb-ft. of torque). Because the electric motor is positioned in the bell housing between the turbocharged engine and the eight-speed automatic, that torque is available almost instantly.
By contrast, the Mercedes G 550 has an integrated starter-generator that can provide a brief 184 lb-ft. burst of electric torque to help the big SUV get moving. However, the Land Cruiser’s hybrid system is designed for sustained off-road crawling, delivering torque more consistently over rough terrain.
With its i-FORCE MAX powertrain, the Land Cruiser is a capable hauler with a 6,000 lbs. maximum towing capacity. However, the G 550 pulls ahead (no pun intended) in this category, offering a 7,000 lbs. tow rating for those with larger trailers or boats.
What’s interesting is that when it comes to towing, neither the Land Cruiser nor G-Glass can keep pace with the Lexus GX, which boasts a 9,000 lbs. max towing capacity.
In terms of fuel economy, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has an EPA-rated 18 mpg combined, but the Land Cruiser is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined.
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Purpose-built trail tech
Stabilizer disconnect mechanism for when the pavement ends
While Mercedes recently introduced a Transparent Hood camera system to help drivers see obstacles directly in front of the tires, the 2027 Land Cruiser has its own multi-terrain monitor. Toyota’s system provides nearly identical “see-through” visibility while off-roading, but pairs it with some rugged hardware that the G 550 currently lacks.
Every Land Cruiser comes standard with center and rear locking differentials, but the Toyota counters the G-Wagen’s front locker with an available stabilizer disconnect mechanism (SDM). The button-activated SDM system increases suspension articulation to help the tires maintain contact on uneven terrain. It can be re-engaged for on-road driving.
Toyota has also introduced a factory-available high-mounted air intake for 2027, ensuring the hybrid system breathes clean air in dusty conditions or during water crossings.
This utility extends to the interior, where every Land Cruiser features a 2400-watt AC inverter in the cargo area. The inverter allows you to run a coffee maker or other gear while camping, a level of practical utility the G 550 cannot match.
- What’s Included
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M12 impact driver, hammer drill, 3/8-inch ratchet, charger, two batteries
- Warranty
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5-year warranty on tools, up to 3-year warranty on batteries.
If you’re looking for a great DIY starter kit from Milwaukee, this M12 3-tool combo kit is it. With an impact driver, hammer drill, and 3/8-inch ratchet, along with a 4Ah and 2Ah battery, this kit is a great starting point for projects both at home and on your vehicle.
Modern comfort and safety
Land Cruiser detects bicyclists and motorcycle riders
The G-Wagen is known for its dynamic, if not imposing exterior, but its cabin is notoriously narrow and tight, despite its large stature. Meanwhile, the 2027 Land Cruiser is built on Toyota’s TNGA-F global truck platform, which will arguably translate to a more composed and comfortable ride on the open road.
Beyond the comfort aspect, the 2027 Land Cruiser comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes a feature called the Emergency Driving Stop System. When Lane Tracing Assist is active, the system monitors driver inputs; if it determines a driver is non-responsive due to a medical emergency, it can bring the Land Cruiser to a stop.
Other Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 systems include a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, which also detects bicyclists and motorcycle riders.
To be fair, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is no slouch in the tech and safety department. It comes standard with the Mercedes-Benz Driver Assistance Package, which includes Active Emergency Stop Assist, a system very similar to Toyota’s, as well as PRE-SAFE.
PRE-SAFE is a Mercedes-exclusive tech that can sense an impending collision and tighten seat belts, close windows, and even emit a “pink noise” to trigger a protective reflex in your inner ears against impact noises. These types of safety innovations are just small examples of why someone would pick a G-Wagen over a Land Cruiser, regardless of the starting MSRP.
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The verdict: substance over status
Nothing beats a G-Wagen in a world where personal branding and follower count on social media mean everything. However, the 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser is a masterpiece of affordable off-road engineering.
While there is still no substitute for the G-Glass in any capacity, if you really want to see the great outdoors with a vehicle that is cheaper to buy and probably costs less to gas up, the 2027 Land Cruiser is the logical choice.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
