The new Land Cruiser 250, unveiled in 2023. Backed by exceptional durability and worldwide popularity, its future asset value (resale value) is drawing significant attention. The following provides a detailed explanation of predicted residual value rates after 10 years, used market trends, and comparisons with other models.
Predicted residual value rate (resale value) after 10 years
The Land Cruiser (Land Cruiser) 250 has been expected to command high resale value since its launch, with many forecasts predicting it will maintain a residual value rate of around 50% even after 10 years. This far exceeds the typical residual value rate for domestic Japanese vehicles at 10 years old (roughly 10–20%). In fact, the previous-generation 150 series Prado showed “a resale value at 10 years old that rivals a typical car at 3 years old“, and this trend is seen across the entire Land Cruiser series. For example, the Land Cruiser 200 series (full-size SUV) achieved an average residual value rate of approximately 48.4% at the 10-year mark, with certain trims demonstrating a remarkable 64.8%. Even the lowest trim secured around 37%, showing overall that the Land Cruiser experiences extremely gradual value depreciation with age.
In comparisons with other models, the Land Cruiser 300 (300 series) is also expected to maintain strong asset value. With the 300 series being relatively new and limited actual data available, projections suggest a residual value rate of 80% or higher after 5 years. For the 10-year outlook, many experts anticipate around 50%, similar to conventional Land Cruisers, putting it on par with the Land Cruiser 250. Additionally, the previous-generation Land Cruiser Prado (150 series) maintained excellent resale value even at the end of its model cycle. According to surveys by used car dealership chains, the 150 series Prado showed a residual value rate of 99% at one year old (nearly new condition) and retained roughly 50% of its value even at 10 years old. In this way, the Land Cruiser 250, 300, and 150 series Prado all maintain approximately half their initial price after 10 years, offering top-tier asset value expectations in the SUV market.
▼ Model prices and predicted 10-year residual value rates (examples)
| Model | New car price (estimate) | Projected 10-year price | Residual value rate (projected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land Cruiser 250 (2024 model) | Approx. ¥5.2 million (VX series) | Approx. ¥2.6 million | Approx. 50% |
| Land Cruiser 300 (2021 model) | Approx. ¥7.3 million (ZX series) | Approx. ¥3.5 million | Approx. 48% |
| Land Cruiser Prado 150 (2013 model) | Approx. ¥4.5 million (TZ-G series) | Approx. ¥2.25 million | Approx. 50% |
Note: The above figures are rough estimates taking into account trim levels and market conditions. Popular configurations such as diesel variants tend to achieve even higher residual value rates.
Price movement trends in the used car market
The Land Cruiser 250 and 300 series have shown an unprecedented development in the used car market, with premium prices exceeding new car prices since shortly after their new car launches. Due to the Land Cruiser 250’s prolonged delivery wait times causing supply shortages, used resale prices frequently reach ¥12 million or more despite new cars selling for approximately ¥8–10 million※
(※estimated price range including trim and options). This trend typically peaks shortly after a new model’s launch; the Land Cruiser 300’s used market price also reached 130–140% of new car price during its first to second year on the market. For example, the Land Cruiser 300 ZX (gasoline) saw a used buying price of approximately ¥9.85 million (134.9% residual value) at the two-year-old point, compared to a new car price of around ¥7.3 million.
However, the used market is expected to eventually enter a correction phase. Premium pricing is anticipated to gradually stabilize as Toyota improves production capacity and shortens delivery times, with long-term convergence expected toward normal high-resale levels (approximately 80–90% of new car price for vehicles a few years old, and around 50% for 10-year-old vehicles). Indeed, the 150 series Prado’s used market showed notable movement around the time of the new (250 series) announcement. Prado buying prices that showed a temporary downward trend around autumn 2023 reversed and rose between February and June 2024, with particularly sharp increases from April onward. This is analyzed as resulting from “those unable to wait for new cars” shifting to used vehicles due to new car delivery delays and production slowdowns from global conditions. This illustrates how Land Cruiser series used prices are strongly influenced by new car supply situations, experiencing short-term volatility while maintaining relatively stable long-term depreciation.
The impact of model rarity and popularity on asset value
The Land Cruiser series benefits from worldwide popularity and rarity as major drivers of asset value. When supply is limited relative to demand, market forces drive used prices higher. The intensity of buyer interest—compelling Toyota to implement lottery-based sales and anti-resale measures for the Land Cruiser—reflects strong overseas demand from the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. In particular, the Land Cruiser carries over 70 years of established trust as “the vehicle that goes anywhere and comes back alive,” with its brand value and unique standing highly valued even in the used car market.
Additionally, limited-production special models see their asset value rise further due to rarity. The prime example is the reintroduced Land Cruiser 70 series (limited re-release), which recorded an astounding 95% residual value rate even five years after purchase due to its tiny production numbers. The Land Cruiser 250 featured a special “First Edition” trim during its first year, adding an element of exclusivity. Such models may eventually become collector’s items with premiums exceeding original retail prices in the used market. Indeed, the Land Cruiser 250 already ranks near the top of Toyota’s resale value rankings at launch, with a predicted five-year residual value rate of 82.7% (tied for second place across all Toyota vehicles). This matches the full-size 300 series Land Cruiser rate, demonstrating how popularity and rarity directly translate to asset value.
While it’s typical for previous-generation prices to decline when a new model arrives, the Land Cruiser’s depreciation is limited. Users themselves note that “even after new Prados hit the market, the older model retains strong demand, so it doesn’t fall sharply“, and the 150 series Prado indeed maintained stable high prices despite its extended model cycle. These factors suggest that the Land Cruiser 250’s asset value possesses resilience to model changes and the passage of time.
The relationship between maintenance costs, durability, reliability, and asset value
The durability and reliability of the vehicle itself are deeply connected to the reason the Land Cruiser maintains such high asset value. The Land Cruiser 250 is rated as having “exceptionally high popularity both domestically and internationally due to its durability and reliability”, and the reason it commands high prices even on the used market is that it remains difficult to break and maintains its performance even after years of use. With its established reputation for off-road capability and sturdy body, even vehicles that are 10 years old or have over 100,000 km on them do not see demand dry up, and they trade at high prices in used car auctions. The trust inspired by Toyota’s build quality and the comprehensive parts supply system also lead to strong owner support and high resale value.
On the other hand, the Land Cruiser line also requires consideration of the high cost of maintenance. Due to the vehicle’s weight and large engine displacement, fuel consumption and automobile tax are significantly higher than compact cars. Some users voice concerns like “the Prado has good resale value after 10 years, but the annual maintenance costs are so high that I can’t bring myself to make the purchase“. Especially gasoline models average around 7 to 8 kilometers per liter in fuel economy, putting a substantial burden on fuel costs, and consumables like tires are expensive due to their large size. However, this high maintenance cost can in a sense mean that “demand is filtered”, and used vehicles are distributed to those who truly need a Land Cruiser (hobbyists and commercial users), which keeps resale stable. Diesel variants offer better fuel economy than gasoline and more torque, giving them strong international popularity, and as a result their resale value is even better than gasoline models. As a concrete example, a 2015 Prado TZ-G diesel fetched a trade-in value of approximately 3.04 million yen against an original retail price of approximately 4.75 million yen (residual value ratio of 63.9%), which is dramatically higher compared to the same model year gasoline version (grade “G”) at 36%. While the choice of powertrain and maintenance condition do influence asset value, overall the Land Cruiser line possesses the durability and quality to maintain solid value even as the years pass.
Forecasts and insights from specialists and used car appraisers
The used car industry and automotive specialist media have indicated a very positive outlook on the asset value of the Land Cruiser 250. Caryseven, a major used car information provider, reports that “the Land Cruiser Prado maintains a residual value ratio of around 50% even after 10 years”, and expectations remain that the new 250 series will achieve equivalent or higher resale value. Furthermore, in U-Car Pack’s 2025 Resale Value Ranking, the Land Cruiser 250 ranked second among Toyota vehicles (first place being the limited re-release Land Cruiser 70), with a 5-year residual value ratio of 82.71% announced, an outstanding figure. This matches the full-size Land Cruiser 300, indicating that high asset value has already been factored into industry expectations immediately after launch.
Among automotive critics, evaluations like “the resale value of the Land Cruiser series is already legendary” are frequently heard. Indeed, Fumihiro Hagiwara of the prominent automotive publication Best Car introduced the Prado as “a car that doesn’t lose value even after 10 years of ownership, one that commands high trade-in prices“, describing its residual value ratio as “remarkable”. Another specialist site also offered the analysis that “if the specifications meet global demand, the new model’s resale will be strong. It’s not about the model being new; rather it depends on supply and demand balance“, suggesting that the Land Cruiser 250, given its specifications and brand strength, will maintain high asset value as long as global demand continues. That said, some specialists point out regarding current premium pricing that “resale values could stabilize if supply becomes stable”, and while short-term spikes won’t be permanent, there is consensus that over the long term it will maintain a significantly higher residual value ratio compared to other vehicle types.
In summary, the Toyota Land Cruiser 250 is likely to maintain an extremely high level of asset value stability going forward. It is expected to deliver resale value that stands up well in comparison with other Land Cruiser 300 series models and the previous-generation Prado 150 series, and it will likely remain a prominent “high-value SUV” in the market even ten years from now. The Land Cruiser model itself is known for its high asset value—you’re unlikely to lose money when you buy one—and the 250 series is no exception. That said, it is important to consider your own lifestyle and budget in light of maintenance costs and the initial purchase price. Even so, the Land Cruiser 250 can be called the leading example of a “vehicle that holds its value into the future“, and many industry experts have given it top-tier resale ratings.
References and sources:
- Analysis of high residual value trends in used Land Cruiser Prado vehicles bestcarweb.jp
- Industry data on resale value (U-Car Pack survey and others) ucarpac.com
- New Land Cruiser 250 resale market trends premium-cars-life.com
- Goo-net used car market report (Land Cruiser Prado) goo-net.com