2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

Every 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser comes packed with the latest gadgets, most important technologies, and finest comforts. Designer good looks are matched to spaciousness, performance, and capability in this sixth edition model.

Shoppers who are familiar with this SUV will expect only one trim. After all, the Land Cruiser always comes packed with everything a luxury buyer could need. Yet this year Toyota is offering an additional choice, the 2020 Land Cruiser Heritage Edition. Shoppers will enjoy trying on these two varieties to discover which is right for them.

SUVs come and go, but the Land Cruiser has been on the road in one form or another since the 1950s. Once a bare-bones, rough-and-ready sport utility, it now covers up its true intent with elegant interiors and a dashing exterior. Still, this ute can handle the trail with confidence.

Standing almost seven feet tall, the Land Cruiser rolls on 18-inch wheels. Ground clearance is 8.9 inches. This luxury liner comes equipped to handle trail duty just as it has for decades. When it comes to water challenges, fording depth is a remarkable 27 inches.

The build is almost seven feet wide and 16 feet long. As you can imagine, this allows the Land Cruiser to offer one of the most generous cabins for eight passengers. Excellent ride quality is engineered with a soft suspension to handle bumps. Insulation and other noise muffling measures have been carefully installed to ensure that the ride is quiet and serene.

Drivers will appreciate a high perch where they can see more of the road. The suspension was designed to be responsive to commands, helping the driver feel confident. Steering is designed to reduce oversteer and understeer.

A slew of top technologies are on board to help the driver avoid danger. These systems watch the front and sides of the vehicle, providing intervention when necessary. Adaptive cruise control regulates speed for busy traffic as well as the open road. Camera systems help on and off the road.

Compare the 2020 Land Cruiser vs Heritage Edition. What is the Difference?

Performance, safety and technology are basically the same on the two models. Exterior details, seating, interior design, utility and capability are the ways that the Heritage Edition stands apart from the regular Land Cruiser.

The powerful eight-cylinder engine delivers a one-two punch. V8 output is rated at 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. A capable transmission can harness this capability at low speeds. The eight-speed automatic helps when the Cruiser is pulling a trailer or climbing a hill. On the highway, the top gears make more out of the vehicle's velocity. This well-managed power outlay allows the Land Cruiser to tow up to 8,100 pounds. Sway control helps the driver manage the tandem trailer.

When it comes to color, you’ll find more choices with the regular than the Heritage Edition. It is offered only in Blizzard Pearl or Midnight Black Metallic. The regular Land Cruiser is offered in these additional shades: Blue Onyx Pearl, silver metallic and magnetic gray metallic.

On the other hand, Heritage Cruisers are more dressed up than their counterparts. There are fancier bronze-look aluminum wheels. Even more impressive, the grille and headlights have bronze accents that add to the upscale vibe. The vintage look of the trim-specific badges add another touch of style.

Both models have four skid plates. These protect vital parts such as the transfer case and radiator. Armor is a good idea when the rocks are flying. You don’t want to damage your suspension or fuel tank. As another precaution, Toyota includes a full-size spare tire.

Heritage Cruisers do have more ground clearance, although they aren’t taller. This is due to the removal of low-hanging attachments. There are no side steps because those reduce clearance. Furthermore, the lower body side moldings aren’t included.

Moving on to the cabins, the most obvious difference is seating. As always, the Land Cruiser seats eight on three rows. However, the Heritage edition deletes the third row and seats only five. Obviously, the first is for big families or regular carpools. The second is for smaller families and others who don’t need extra seats.

The regular edition has 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, which matches the trunk of a large sedan. The Heritage edition has a whopping 53.5 cubic feet. Of course, you can get almost as much space by folding the third row seat in the regular Land Cruiser. Both offer more than 82 cubic feet with every seat folded. That’s plenty when you need to move your teenager into a college apartment.

Another difference is color scheme choices. Regular black leather is the sole interior upholstery for Heritage Cruisers. This is a rich and vibrant seat covering that brings elegance to the cabin. A black headliner is added to add to the design. All-weather mats are underfoot for your adventures.

The standard Land Cruiser offers a choice of leather upholstery. The first is a black semi-aniline leather. The other choice is a brown semi-aniline upholstery, which has been nicknamed Terra. All-weather mats can be chosen from the accessory list.

Soft touches are everywhere in this cabin. You’ll find them on the dash, the doors, and the console. In the Heritage, a bronze stitch is added to these areas and to the upholstery. This classy accent further divides the Heritage from the regular edition.

Quick to sync and simple to use, Toyota Entune touch screens offer a rich array of entertainment choices. There are dedicated apps that provide information and music. Built-in navigation shows you the way to new destinations. It can find you better routes for your daily drive.

Voice commands are simple, allowing you to keep your hands on the wheel. You can utilize voice-texting capability or hands-free phone. The 9-inch display responds quickly to your requests.

Drivers will feel at home in the generous cockpit. A heated steering wheel takes care of winter’s sting. Both front seat occupants enjoy power-adjustable seats that can be power-heated or power-ventilated. The front climate controls allow both occupants to decide their own temperature. Heat is almost instantaneous thanks to the Positive Temperature Coefficient ceramic elements.

There are dual rear controls for heat and air conditioning. In the eight-seat cabin, there are a total of 28 vents. Both editions have multi-stage heating elements for the outboard second-row seats.

Regular models have a cooler box as part of the center console. Parents will appreciate having juice boxes and bottles ready at a moment’s notice. Of course, you can pack sandwiches and sodas. The cooler is not available on the Heritage edition.

Also omitted from the Heritage Edition, a seat-back entertainment system can be added to the regular Land Cruiser. Wireless headphones allow kids to listen to movies while parents can enjoy their own music.

Four-wheel drivetrains allow both of these models to handle road challenges. Weather problems, such as snow, ice or rain, are managed by the smart system.

For those who want to go off road, there’s a crawl control setting. This regulates acceleration, providing torque at slow speeds. The system can slow or brake to maintain safe travel over rough terrain. The lowest gear of the eight-speed automatic can harness 5.7-liter V8 power and use it for crawling challenges.

Toyota has outfitted these Cruisers with an exclusive Off-Road Turn Assist. This improves mobility by braking a rear wheel to strategically pivot the vehicle. It makes tight turns easier during off-road adventures. Shoppers won't find this cool feature on rivals.

Safer off-road travel is easier thanks to cameras that show the front, side and rear. This perimeter composite view shows the challenges all around the vehicle. It allows the driver to make better decisions for trail maneuvers.

A locking center differential allows this big SUV to do much more than people would expect. The ladder frame provides it with stability and strength. Helping it succeed when another might fail, Dunlop AT23 Grandtrek off-road tires provide a substantial grip on rocky terrain.

Toyota makes sure that all bases are covered when it comes to safety. Built to keep intrusion out of the cabin, there are plenty of airbags just in case.

Exterior aids offer lots of help to stressed-out drivers. Automatic high beams raise and lower without human intervention. Rain-sensing wipers turn off and on as moisture levels are detected. Heated side mirrors wipe away moisture. These also tilt down when the vehicle is in reverse.

Furthermore, instead of a single rear view camera, there’s a perimeter view system to show you every car, wall, person or object in close proximity to the vehicle. A rear cross traffic alert will signal if a car is approaching the Cruiser when it is backing out of a driveway or parking space.

A lane departure warning reduces the chances that the SUV will wander out of the marked lines. Meanwhile, a blind spot monitor is watching for neighbor cars. If there’s one too close, it alerts the driver not to change lanes.

Pedestrian detection watches for and warns about people in the SUV’s path. As the car ahead slows down, the system warns about possible collision threats. The brake system adds strength to the driver’s panicked braking. It can also brake automatically to reduce the chances of a rear end accident.

Which Trim to Choose?

Making a decision between these two will probably come down to seating, step-in height, utility, and off-road capability. Perhaps one of these factors will help you decide between the two. Frankly, the cost difference between the two isn’t large enough to be a deciding factor.

The eight-seat Land Cruiser has always performed carpool duty with style. If you don’t have a large family, you fold the third row and take advantage of the same cargo space you’d have in the Heritage. This basically gives you the best of both worlds.

Plus, you may want the Terra upholstery rather than black. That’s a style choice that is best made in person. Looking at the two side by side, you will quickly see which is right for you.

If you don’t need three extra seats, then you are free to pick the Heritage. The extra large cargo hold is perfect for your sporting and camping adventures. That roof basket gives you even more space for gear and luggage. Like the regular edition, you can fold the second row to claim the whole rear area for cargo.

As noted, either edition can handle off-road duties. However, if you want the best one for these adventures, the removal of the side steps and lower molding gives the edge to the Heritage. It can do more with less concern on your part.

However, if step-in height is important to you, you may want to stick with the regular edition. The side steps can be critical with little ones who need help climbing in and out of the cabin.

Although it probably won't make or break your decision, it is important to remember that two vital family tools aren't offered on the 2020 Land Cruiser Heritage Edition. Only the regular Land Cruiser has a cooler for your drinks. Also, it offers the rear entertainment center whereas the Heritage Edition doesn't.

Fortunately, you can't go wrong with either of these picks. They are certainly the most stylish ways to hit the trail.