<Tr> <Th> Class </Th> <Td> Off - road vehicle / Full - size SUV </Td> </Tr> <P> The Toyota Land Cruiser (Japanese: トヨタ ランドクルーザー, Toyota Rando - kurūzā) is a series of four - wheel drive vehicles produced by the Japanese car maker Toyota . It is Toyota's longest running series . </P> <P> Production of the first generation Land Cruiser began in 1951 (90 units) as Toyota's version of a Jeep - like vehicle . The Land Cruiser has been produced in convertible, hardtop, station wagon and cab chassis versions . The Land Cruiser's reliability and longevity has led to huge popularity, especially in Australia where it is the best - selling body - on - frame, four - wheel drive vehicle . Toyota also extensively tests the Land Cruiser in the Australian outback--considered to be one of the toughest operating environments in both temperature and terrain . In Japan, the Land Cruiser is exclusive to Toyota Japanese dealerships called Toyota Store . </P> <P> As of 2016, the Land Cruiser J200 is available in most markets . Exceptions include Canada, Hong Kong, Malaysia (of whose markets have the Lexus LX available), North Korea, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and large parts of Europe . In Europe, the only countries that officially sell the Land Cruiser 200 are: Andorra, Gibraltar, Iceland, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine . </P>

When did the toyota land cruiser come out