2024 Toyota Land Cruiser
Overview
We thought the Land Cruiser was gone forever—mainly because Toyota told us so—but surprise! They were just kidding. The off-road champ is back, baby. It shares a platform with the recently redesigned Lexus GX and wears a similarly boxy look, but the Cruiser is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid powertrain making 326 horsepower. (The Lexus employs a 3.4-liter, 349-hp turbo V-6.) While the previous-generation LC was a large-size SUV, this time around it’s been shrunk down to size medium to do battle against other mainstream off-roaders such as the Ford Bronco and the Jeep Wrangler. That strategy also leaves the full-size SUV market open for the Toyota Sequoia. Inside, the Land Cruiser offers seating for five across two rows and offers the requisite infotainment technology to keep modern buyers happy. Toyota even equips it with advanced driver-assistance features since, for most Land Cruiser owners, this truck will serve as both a weekend toy and a weekday commuter. When it’s time to hit the trail, the Land Cruiser has the equipment to tackle the rough stuff, including a four-wheel drive system with low-range gearing and a locking differential. Look for the new Land Cruiser to hit dealerships in spring 2024.
What’s New for 2024?
The boxy new Land Cruiser is back for the 2024 model year and it rides on an entirely modernized platform. That means hybrid power and a smaller shape, better for challenging off-road rivals from Ford and Jeep.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Land Cruiser 1958
$55,000 (est)
$60,000 (est)
Land Cruiser First Edition
$65,000 (est)
The last time a Land Cruiser was on sale in the U.S. market it started at a steep $87,030, but this time around Toyota says the Land Cruiser will start at a more attractive price in the mid-$50,000 range. That reduced sticker makes sense given the Land Cruiser’s smaller frame and five-seat cabin. While we don’t know the exact pricing yet, it seems to us the mid-range Land Cruiser trim is the best buy, as it adds ventilated front seats, a 10-speaker stereo system, a larger 12.3-inch infotainment display, and wider all-terrain tires, among other items.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Given that this is an entirely modernized generation of the Land Cruiser, Toyota has elected to install a turbocharged hybrid powertrain in place of a naturally-aspirated V-8 engine. A turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder is assisted by two electric motors to make 326 horsepower. If this setup sounds familiar, that’s because it’s similar powertrain the Toyota Tacoma‘s. All Land Cruisers come with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel drive system that features a locking center differential, low-range gearing, a crawl control system, and hill descent control. When we get a chance to test drive the Land Cruiser, we’ll update this story with driving impressions and results from our instrumented testing.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Although Toyota hasn’t released fuel economy estimates for the Land Cruiser yet, we’re expecting to see much better numbers than the previous-generation V-8 model offered. When we get a chance, we’ll take the Land Cruiser on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route and update this story with its real-world test results. For more information about the Land Cruiser’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Unlike the previous generation Land Cruiser, the new one is strictly a two-row, five-seat SUV. Toyota has downsized the Cruiser’s body this time around, putting it into contention with mid-size rivals such as the Ford Bronco and the Jeep Wrangler, rather than full-size SUVs such as the Chevrolet Tahoe and the Ford Expedition. While the base 1958 trim does without many of the other trims’ luxuries, it still offers niceties such as heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a six-speaker stereo. The mid-range trim and the limited-production First Edition have more deluxe cabins that include ventilated seats, 10-speaker stereos, and available leather upholstery.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All Land Cruisers come with Toyota’s excellent infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the base 1958 trim comes with a rather dinky 8.0-inch display. All other trims get a much larger 12.3-inch touchscreen. USB-C charging ports and a wireless smartphone charging pad are standard fare, but you’ll have to pay extra for onboard Wi-Fi or the available 14-speaker JBL stereo system.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Like most of Toyota’s new models, the Land Cruiser is equipped with a generous list of standard driver-assistance features. Bundled together in a suite called Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, you’ll find lane-departure warning, automatic high-beam headlamps, and adaptive cruise control alongside expected systems such as automated emergency braking. For more information about the Land Cruiser’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Standard/ adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Toyota provides two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance, a rarity in this class. The coverage in other categories is less impressive but matches industry norms.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years or 25,000 miles