This is the all-new 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, a nameplate that Toyota surprisingly revived after discontinuing it for the 2021 model year. This time around, it’s built on the 250-series Land Cruiser Prado platform rather than the 300 series, so I’m eager to find out if it lives up to the legacy.

The foundation of the Land Cruiser will feel familiar, as it utilizes Toyota’s innovative TNGA-F platform. This same platform supports not only the latest 300-series Land Cruiser (known in the U.S. as the Lexus LX600) and the 250-series Land Cruiser but also the Lexus GX550 and the new 4Runner. Additionally, the Sequoia, Tundra, and Tacoma are built on extended versions of this platform.

As a result, the 2024 Land Cruiser boasts the same 112.2-inch wheelbase as the 300 series, with matching track widths, independent front suspension, and live-axle rear suspension. The key distinction lies in its newly designed, narrower body, which should enhance its performance on more challenging trails.

Exterior

Toyota has truly excelled in its design, paying homage to the iconic 40- and 80-series Cruisers. The Land Cruiser is equipped with ample plastic trim to safeguard it during off-road adventures. My tester features sleek rectangular headlights and a TOYOTA Heritage Grille, contributing to its robust appearance. The 1958 Heritage edition stands out with its classic round headlights. At the rear, you’ll find bold taillights and a hatch that opens wide for easy loading and unloading.

Brakes and Wheels

I wish I had received a Crusier with the smaller 18-inch wheels but beggars can’t be choosers. This one has the optional 20-inch wheels for $1,240 wearing 285/50 tires, Brakes have 13.4-inch vented discs at the front and a 12.3-inch vented disc at the back.

Off Road Kit

The LC features a Full-Time 4WD system equipped with Electronically Controlled Locking Rear and Center Differentials, a Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control with Downhill Assist Control. It offers a ground clearance of 8.7 inches and boasts a maximum approach angle of 31 degrees. Additionally, the breakover angle is 22 degrees, while the departure angle measures 25 degrees.

Towing

The Land Cruiser beats out the competition with a maximum tow rating of 6,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Bronco maxes out at 3500 pounds, and the standard Wrangler can tow 2,000 -3,500 pounds depending on trim level.

LC v GX550

The latest Land Cruiser features front and rear differentials that are a bit smaller compared to the 300-series LX600. Interestingly, this difference isn’t linked to the 250 model, since the GX550, which is based on the 250, actually uses the larger differential found in the LX. The variation is primarily due to the engines and the way each engine exerts pressure on those differentials.

Under The Hood

This latest iteration of the Land Cruiser features a hybrid powertrain. The previous V-8 engine and outdated five-speed automatic transmission have been replaced by a turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid setup. While it delivers 55 horsepower less, it compensates with an impressive 64 additional pound-feet of torque, bringing the total to 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The hybrid system includes a 48-hp electric motor positioned between the engine and transmission, powered by a compact battery located beneath the rear seats. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes 7.7 seconds, and with careful driving, you can achieve up to 25 mpg on the highway.

Fuel economy is, of course, much improved over the thirsty V8, in the week I had it I averaged 18.3 mpg which included both off and on-road testing, so I would expect an owner to get closer to the EPA 25 mpg on the highway.

Driving 

Given that the Cruiser has 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque you would think it would feel faster than it is but it doesn’t, especially from a stop. On the move though the torque is plentiful which makes quicker driving possible despite the tall brick-like shape. Let’s face it Land Cruisers have never been about speed but combined with very comfortable front seats and a compliant suspension it’s a very comfortable and reasonably quiet drive.

Attack a twisty road and it handles fairly well and as a bonus, the Dunlop Wildpeak tires never complained once while I was doing my best impression of Juha Kankkunen.

We hit our easier off-road section, dusty almost sand-like trails, and the LC didn’t skip a beat so we took it down to another area with more challenging obstacles and hills to test departure angles and suspension articulation. The only limiting factor is the poor ground clearance of 8.7 inches which caused numerous scrapes to the underbody along the way. Luckily the Cruiser has skid plates to protect the most vital parts.

The Multi-Terrain Select system enables drivers to fine-tune the vehicle’s settings for enhanced traction and control across various terrains, including mud, sand, rocks, dirt, and deep snow. While on pavement you can choose from 3 drive modes, Eco, Normal, and Sport.

Interior

Inside

The Land Cruiser features a central touchscreen that comes in either 8.0 or 12.3 inches, depending on the trim level. It also includes a voice assistant and various driver assistance technologies. However, these elements can feel out of place and may detract from the authentic Land Cruiser experience if you choose to engage with them.

What sets the Land Cruiser apart from most modern cars is the abundance of physical buttons scattered throughout the cockpit, each marked with perplexing three-letter abbreviations. One of these buttons is labeled SDM, which stands for Stabiliser Disconnect Mechanism. Activating this feature allows you to disengage the front anti-roll bar, providing an additional 10 percent wheel travel. When you take the Land Cruiser off-road, you can truly appreciate this enhancement.

The volume control is the only headscratcher awkwardly placed next to the driver display making it unreachable for the passenger and it really does look like an afterthought. One other gripe some of the plastics are not deserving of a $71,000 car.

You can comfortably seat four adults in it, and if you swap out a couple of those adults for kids, it can fit up to five. While there’s no third-row seating available, the cargo area does come equipped with cupholders and USB-C outlets. Seems like they wanted a third row but couldn’t make it work.

Cargo Space

Unfortunately, you can’t get a third row due to the hybrid’s battery pack encroaching on the cargo area.  It is cleaner than the Toyota Tundra’s weird shelf system though. Behind the rear seats you get 37.5 cubic feet and if you drop the second row you get 82 cubic feet.  

Pricing

The base price for this Land Cruiser trim is $61,950, it has a few options including those 20-inch wheels I mentioned earlier. It also has the Land Cruiser Premium Package for $4,600, that package Includes a 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio, Illuminated Entry, Digital Key Capability, Power Moonroof w/ Sunshade, Center Console Cool Box, Digital Rearview Mirror, Wireless Charging, Leather-Trimmed Memory/Power Driver’s Seat, Head-Up Display (HUD), Lane Change Assist (LCA), Front Cross-Traffic Alert (FCTA), & Traffic Jam Assist.  Add all that up and your total price including destination is $71,364.

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Verdict

The biggest problem here is how close the Land Cruiser is in price to the Lexus GX which gets the very good twin turbo V6 and the trick E-KDSS. That said it is decently competent on the road and a whole lot of fun off-road so you simply make your choice. You can have your cake and eat it, 

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Numbers

BASE PRICE: $61,950
PRICE AS TESTED: $71,364
VEHICLE LAYOUT: Front-engine, rear-/4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door SUV
ENGINE: 2.4 liter turbocharged and inter-cooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4
ELECTRIC: 1 permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor, 48 hp, 184 lb-ft
COMBINED POWER: 326 hp @ 6,000 rpm
TORQUE: 465 lb-ft @ 4,600 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
0-60 MPH: 7.7 sec
CURB WEIGHT: 5,700 lbs
TOWING CAPACITY: 6,000 lbs
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON: 22/25/23/mpg
OUR OBSERVED: 18.3 mpg
PROS: Great new styling , extremely capable off-road and on, rock solid build quality, much-improved interior
CONS: Pricey