Rarer Than Hypercars: The JDM Toyota Land Cruiser You’ve Never Seen
Toyota has introduced the Rally Raid edition, drawing inspiration from the Land Cruiser that dominated its class in the Dakar Rally.
The Toyota Land Cruiser has long been celebrated for its rugged off-road prowess. To showcase its capabilities, Toyota entered slightly modified versions of the SUV in the Stock class of the 2025 Dakar Rally this January. The results were impressive: the two vehicles claimed first and second place, securing Toyota’s 12th straight win in the category. To commemorate this achievement, the automaker is launching the ultra-exclusive Land Cruiser 300 Rally Raid special edition in Japan.
Toyota is offering the Rally Raid edition components in several ways. The most exclusive option is a complete Rally Raid build, but only 12 units will be made. These limited SUVs are available solely through a lottery, with winners paying around $63,526 (9,380,800 yen). Alternatively, buyers can purchase the full set of accessories for $10,235 (1,511,400 yen) without installation—this option is also limited to 12 units and distributed via lottery. Lastly, individual components will be sold separately through Toyota dealerships in Japan starting in November.
What Makes the Rally Raid Special
The Rally Raid is based on the Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport, featuring a 3.3-liter turbodiesel V6 that delivers 303 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. On top of this robust foundation, the model adds a suite of specialized equipment, including:
Unfortunately, Toyota hasn’t shared detailed specifications for the upgraded suspension. A translation of the Japanese announcement only mentions “suspension and cab mounts that faithfully respond to the driver’s inputs and steer the vehicle precisely as intended.”
Inside, the cabin showcases a two-tone red-and-black color scheme, with seats combining leather-upholstered bolsters and ultrasuede center panels.
Toyota hasn’t overhauled the Land Cruiser for the Rally Raid edition, but its unique features and exclusivity make it highly appealing. The additional components give the SUV a more aggressive appearance, and while exact details remain scarce, the upgraded wheel-and-tire setup along with the revised suspension are expected to enhance its performance in challenging off-road conditions.
Understanding the Current Land Cruiser
Although the Toyota Land Cruiser is often spoken of as a single model, there are actually three different versions sold worldwide. The Rally Raid edition is based on the 300 series, the largest of the trio, which is marketed in the U.S. as the premium Lexus LX. Depending on the trim and region, this SUV comes in either five- or seven-seat configurations.
The 250 series is slightly smaller than the 300 and is the model typically referred to as the Toyota Land Cruiser in the United States. In other markets, it’s sold as the Land Cruiser Prado. In the U.S., the latest version of this SUV is performing well and is expected to surpass last year’s sales. Toyota has only made a modest price increase for the 2026 model year, hinting that its strong momentum may continue.
Lastly, the 70 Series traces its roots back to the 1980s, though it has received various updates over the years. It’s offered in both pickup and SUV configurations, and a specialized upfitter even produces a 10-passenger version for NGOs, including the United Nations, Doctors Without Borders, and the World Food Program.
