1990-1997 Toyota Land Cruiser: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
1997 Toyota Land Cruiser
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1990-1997 Toyota Land Cruiser ▼
- Price Range: $2,100 - $8,600
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1990-1997 Toyota Land Cruiser and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- 4WD traction
- Passenger and cargo room
- Antilock brakes (later models)
Cons
- Fuel economy
- Acceleration (4.0-liter)
- Entry/exit
- Price
- Ride
Vehicle Highlights
Toyota launched this generation of its 4-wheel-drive wagon way back in 1981. By 1990, power came from a fuel-injected 4.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine, making 155 horsepower and driving a 4-speed automatic transmission. All Land Cruisers had on-demand 4-wheel drive. Front hubs still had to be locked and unlocked by hand. A Land Cruiser could tow 3500 pounds.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Toyota Land Cruiser Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 2 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 6 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 48 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1990-1997 Toyota Land Cruiser. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1990-1997 Toyota Land Cruiser.
Year to Year Changes
1991 Toyota Land Cruiser:
Land Cruisers were redesigned as early 1991 models, on a longer wheelbase. Permanently engaged 4WD replaced the prior part-time system with its manually locking front hubs, but the powertrain remained as before. Seating for five was standard, and an optional 3-place third seat boosted capacity to eight.
1992 Toyota Land Cruiser:
Power locks, windows, and mirrors became standard rather than optional. Variable-intermittent wipers also were installed.
1993 Toyota Land Cruiser:
In response to criticism about lack of power, a larger (4.5-liter) engine went into 1993 models. The new engine had dual-overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, producing 57 more horsepower than before, and 55 more pound-feet of torque. Newly optional were front and rear differential locks for the standard permanent 4-wheel-drive system, including antilock brakes with rear discs (rather than drums). ABS also was available as a separate option.
1994 Toyota Land Cruiser:
Except for a switch from five to nine speakers in the stereo system, and adoption of safety belts with an automatic-locking retractor, no changes were evident in 1994 Land Cruisers.
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser:
Land Cruisers sold early in the 1995 model year were actually '94 models. An updated version arrived in spring of 1995, including dual airbags and standard antilock braking as well as a restyled front end.
1996 Toyota Land Cruiser:
Lexus, Toyota's luxury division, issued its own version of the Land Cruiser this year, called the LX 450.
1997 Toyota Land Cruiser:
A 2-person third seat was available for 7-passenger capacity. Land Cruisers were redesigned for 1998.
Our road test for the 1990-1997 Toyota Land Cruiser includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1997 Toyota Land Cruiser and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1997 Toyota Land Cruiser is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Steering was vague and overassisted in the early version, and the ride gets choppy, even on roads that look smooth. The 1991-97 version has a slightly wider stance, so it's a little less tipsy in corners. Still, don't expect to rush through fast curves or tight low-speed turns without plenty of body lean. Acceleration from early models is nothing to shout about, either: on the order of 15.4 seconds to reach 60 mph. The 4.5-liter engine gets its job done, bringing enough power and torque to move this big rig rather smartly. Heavy weight helps make fuel consumption horrid. An early Land Cruiser got only 10.5 mpg; another with the 4.0-liter engine managed just 13 mpg. The permanently engaged 4-wheel-drive system installed in 1991 is a bonus, giving the driver the advantage of 4WD but no duties to perform. Passenger space is ample all around. Seats are comfortable for long trips, and the cargo area is bountiful. A Land Cruiser stands tall, so step-up into the interior is high. Reaching the optional third seat is awkward because you have to clamber around the middle bench. It's kid-size, too, and leaves little cargo space at the rear. However, both the second and third seats pack up easily to expand cargo volume. Some controls in the pre-1991 model have a haphazard look, but full instrumentation was standard. The interior got a lot more modern in 1991, with instruments and controls handier and better organized. Overall, the interior has a sturdy, high-grade look, and body construction is tight and solid.
Value for the Money
Expensive and sold in modest numbers, Land Cruisers continue to attract a modest but eager following. Still, most buyers find a Ford Explorer or Jeep Cherokee to be a better value.
Expensive and sold in modest numbers, Land Cruisers continue to attract a modest but eager following. Still, most buyers find a Ford Explorer or Jeep Cherokee to be a better value.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Toyota Land Cruiser Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 2 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 6 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 48 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Toyota Land Cruiser includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Toyota Land Cruiser .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Audio system:
Static in the radio is caused by poor antenna ground. (1990-96)
Automatic transmission:
Automatic transmissions have delayed engagement in reverse. (1990-96)
Automatic transmission:
Weak springs inside the transmission can cause delay when shifting from park-to-reverse or neutral-to-reverse due to. (1990-95)
Radiator:
The thermostat gasket had a tendency to leak in cold weather. (1990-95)
Vehicle noise:
The transfer-case lever rattles and vibrates, and is corrected by installing a new boot and hardware. (1990-94)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $1,055 |
| Alternator | $375 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $1,010 |
| Brakes | $230 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $520 |
| Exhaust System | $330 |
| Radiator | $435 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $510 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $885 |
| Universal Joints | $520 |
Our price chart for this generation Toyota Land Cruiser details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1997 | |||
| Land Cruiser | $8,500-9,500 | $7,700-8,600 | $4,400-4,900 |
| 1996 | |||
| Land Cruiser | $7,100-8,000 | $6,300-7,100 | $3,400-3,800 |
| 1995 | |||
| Land Cruiser | $6,000-6,800 | $5,200-5,900 | $2,500-2,900 |
| 1994 | |||
| Land Cruiser | $5,000-5,800 | $4,300-4,900 | $2,000-2,300 |
| 1993 | |||
| Land Cruiser | $4,100-4,800 | $3,400-3,900 | $1,400-1,600 |
| 1992 | |||
| Land Cruiser | $3,600-4,300 | $2,900-3,400 | $1,000-1,200 |
| 1991 | |||
| Land Cruiser | $3,200-3,900 | $2,500-3,000 | $800-1,000 |
| 1990 | |||
| Land Cruiser | $2,800-3,500 | $2,100-2,600 | $600-800 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Toyota Land Cruiser include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 1990 4-door wagon | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 107.5 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 184.0 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 70.9 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 68.9 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 4480 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 98.0 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 23.8 | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 40.0 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 39.2 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 40.4 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 34.6 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
A 4.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine went into 1990-92 models, producing 155 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque. For 1993, that was replaced by the dual-overhead-cam 4.5-liter six. Sole transmission all along was a 4-speed automatic, which added electronic control in 1993.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohv I6 | 4.0 / 241 | 155 | 220 | 4-speed automatic: 12/14 | 4-speed automatic: 13 |
| dohc I6 | 4.5 / 275 | 212 | 275 | 4-speed automatic: 13/15 | 4-speed automatic: 12.6 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Japan
Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/4-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Toyota Land Cruiser include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1990-1997 Toyota Land Cruiser directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1990:
Heavy loads and high temperatures can create high pressure in fuel tank, resulting in cracks and leakage.
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