We thought the Toyota Land-Cruiser 2024 was gone forever—mainly because Toyota told us so—but surprise! 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…
We thought the Toyota Land-Cruiser 2024 was gone forever—mainly because Toyota told us so—but surprise! 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 349-hp turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6.) While the previous-generation LC was a full-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 locking differentials.
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.
The price of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser starts at $57,400 and goes up to $76,345 depending on the trim and options.
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 starting price of $57,445. That reduced sticker makes sense given the Land Cruiser’s smaller frame and five-seat cabin. Based on the pricing info we have, it seems to us the mid-range Land Cruiser trim will be 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.
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 to the powertrain offered in the Toyota Tacoma. 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.
In our test drive, we found that the hybrid powertrain provides good torque, but noticed that the boost of the electric motors is inconsistent due to the small battery pack. The Land Cruiser provides a smooth ride on the road and is significantly quieter than vehicles like the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler.
In our testing, the Land Cruiser First Edition got to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds. That’s significantly slower than the V-6–powered Lexus GX550, which achieved a 6.3-second time.
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:
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.
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