Not that long ago, Toyota decided not to sell the Land Cruiser in the US. Fans were left out in the cold while places like Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia received the newest version of the longest-running nameplate in the world, the Toyota Land Cruiser.
That Toyota Land Cruiser was the large and roomy version of the one we’d had here, complete with a 3rd row. This is still available in the US, but in the form of the Lexus LX 600 – though it’s different in so many ways from what Lexus represents: pure luxury compared to Toyota’s more rugged ways, and with a much higher price of admission (a price topping $90K).
This story is 100% human-researched and -written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. No AI was used.
The Toyota Land Cruiser was Brought Back by Popular Demand
The Land Cruiser was sold in the States for over 60 years before it was discontinued for the 2021 model year. In 2023, though, North American fans rejoiced as the name returned to Toyota showrooms but in its new 2-row iteration and with more rugged and heritage details than past Land Cruisers; Lexus would get its own version, too, the third-generation Lexus GX.
The new GX and Land Cruiser debuted near the end of last year for the 2024 model year, bringing a more rugged look than ever before.
First Impressions: The Toyota Land Cruiser is a Tough Retro Ride
The last time Toyota had a retro-modern SUV in its lineup, it was the FJ— a Land Cruiser-inspired FJ Cruiser, which gave a softer look to the classic lines of its namesake. This time around, the all-new 2024 Land Cruiser derives its looks from the 1980’s era SUVs.
There is no softness to be found here, only rugged lines, including the rectangular tri-bulb headlights; you can get round headlights like those of the original J60 if you opt for the base 1958 or First Edition trims for the 2024 model year. As one of my friends noted on Facebook, “How butch can you get?” The answer: Yes.
How Much is the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser?
There are three trim levels for the Land Cruiser, one of which is named after the vehicle itself, which might confuse more than a few consumers. The base 1958 and First Edition trims have round headlights, though the former has unpainted trim with cloth seating, while the latter builds on top of the top-level Land Cruiser trim with rock rails, a roof rack and a front skid plate; it’s also limited to 5,000 examples.
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Pricing at a Glance:
- 1958: $55,950
- Land Cruiser: $61,950
- First Edition: $74,950
- As-Tested: $71,829 with a $1,395 delivery fee
It’s a Hybrid, but It’s No Prius
No matter which 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser trim you choose, all have the same powertrain: the i-FORCE MAX 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission with full-time four-wheel drive.
The hybrid powertrain delivers 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque to the corners via three driving modes: Sport (for running up the on-ramp to the interstates), Eco (for increased fuel economy), and Normal (the balance between the two extremes).
Therefore, Mileage Isn’t Top Tier
Despite it being a hybrid, you won’t see Prius numbers behind the wheel of the Land Cruiser. On the highway, you’ll see an EPA estimate of 25 mpg and 22 mpg in the city. The combined average is an EPA estimate of 23 mpg.
The hybrid turbo-four also requires the use of 91 or higher octane, which is a pretty penny to pay in this day and age. You might want to stock up on fuel discounts to take some of the sting out of filling this SUV’s 17.9-gallon gas tank, which I was happy to have after netting around 22 mpg thanks to a lot of in-town driving.
The Interior Design is Brawny, Yet Elegant
The later generations of the Land Cruiser ramped up the premium feel of its interiors to the point where it was on par with the entry-level offerings from Lexus, as well as those in competitors like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Land Rover Defender, and Porsche Cayenne.
This one’s no exception, especially with the optional Premium Package, which exchanges the SoftTex-trimmed seating for full leather, like the Java Leather in my Outdoorsman. It feels like saddling up a horse for the long drive but with all of the creature comforts of home.
Rear Passengers May Have the Best Seats in the Truck
Once you and your passengers—this SUV is way more comfortable for four, as the middle seat has almost no footwell space for a passenger’s feet—step onto the running boards and slide into the Land Cruiser, there are plenty of premium features to enjoy. The rear passengers have a climate control system, two USB-C ports, and a 12v connector to keep everything charged and ready to go.
The standard 6-to 10-speaker stereo system (depending on trim level) or optional 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system fills the cabin with your favorite music from your streaming playlist, while the moonroof lets in the blue skies above.
The driver and front passenger can enjoy year-round comfort from the heated and ventilated seats while their drinks can remain cold in the optional cool box located under the center console armrest.
How Many Babies Can the Toyota Land Cruiser Carry?
The rear 60/40-split seating has two LATCH locations for installing car seats for the littlest ones in your family, located on either end of the bench. The anchors to attach the base of a given car seat to the bench are hidden under a leather (or SoftTex, depending on the trim level) flap held on by Velcro, despite what appears to be two snaps doing the work. Just think of these snaps as a stylistic touch to give the interior a more rough-n-ready vibe, though soft enough to keep your babies cozy and comfortable.
Three top tethers are easily accessible on the back of the seats, which means that a car seat can be seatbelt installed in the middle seat, which may be a good place to put a cal seat due to the limited foot space. There is not a 3rd row option in the Toyota Land Cruiser, though there is in the Lexus GX 550.
Like All Toyotas, the Off-Roader Comes with a Laundry List of Safety Features
The standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 with Pre-Collision and the Star Safety System (which includes ABS, traction control, front and rear cross-traffic detection, parking assistance, and vehicle stability control) help protect everyone out on the open road from the dangers lurking in the dark corners (or in broad daylight).
The Premium Package adds a heads-up display, lane-change assistance, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assistance to keep everyone safe.
The Roads Less Traveled is Where the Toyota Land Cruiser Shines
Then, there’s the off-road prowess the Land Cruiser has always been known for. In 2024, that means full-time four-wheel drive (meaning the driver won’t have to shift into 4WD manually as 4Runner owners do) with a ton of features to make the roughest trails feel conquerable.
Those features include a fully lockable rear and center differential, multi-terrain select, a rock-crawling mode for the challenging sections, and a downhill assist to keep everything whoa’d up on the way down the hill. By using the Off-Road Information settings through Toyota’s OS, the driver can utilize the many cameras to monitor the path of the wheels with the front camera, the rock sliders with the cameras under the front mirrors, the surround view, and the rear camera.
Though I didn’t get the chance to try these features while the Land Cruiser was with me (because I stayed in town), it’s great to know that no matter where I go, very little can stop me.
The Toyota Land Cruiser is Not Light on Its Feet
Though off-roading wasn’t in the cards with the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, driving around town in this boxy brute wasn’t too bad of an experience. There were some times when I felt the corners more than I should have while making some turns – a GR Supra this is not – but otherwise, I felt secure and safe in the big man.
It was noisy, too, thanks to a flat windshield (that claimed more than a few bugs down the highway) and big, flat side mirrors, plus the guttural growl of the turbo-four, but nothing too annoying volume-wise. The Heritage Blue/Grayscape two-tone paint fits the lines of the Land Cruiser, a nice break from more subdued or outdoor-themed color choices available for the SUV.
The Touchscreen is Great, Though You’ll Still Want Your Phone
Whether it’s the base 1958’s eight-inch touchscreen or this Land Cruiser’s 12.3-inch unit, you won’t need the cables to connect your iPhone or Pixel when wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available.
You might need Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to handle navigation should you opt out of subscribing to Toyota’s Drive Connect, which includes its own GPS system. Available for a year on Toyota’s dime, it’s $15/month thereafter; you can also bundle Drive Connect with Integrated Streaming (which allows you to stream Apple Music and Amazon Music playlists) for $25/month.
When I tried to enter one specific address to take the Land Cruiser (Devil’s Backbone Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway), it couldn’t give me exactly what I was looking for; thus, you’ll still want to have your phone with you.
Nothing Gets Left Behind with the Toyota Land Cruiser
The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is made for the great outdoors. Thus, there’s plenty of room for hauling everything you can think of. The back has 37.5 cubic feet of space and can handle everything from some big cardboard recycling to a few sleeping bags.
However, there is a high hump to clear with the cargo tray, not to mention the rear bench folding up against the front seats instead of flat to flow better with the tray. An optional roof rack or set of roof cross bars increases the options for storage.
The Toyota can Pull its Weight… Literally
Finally, you can tow up to 6,000 pounds into the woods, perfect for a lightweight overlanding setup. For those who felt slighted when Toyota decided the big Land Cruiser would not be in Canadian and U.S. showrooms (unless they wanted to buy it as a Lexus LX), the boxy retro machine taking its place should make all of those fans happy, and then some.
The Toyota Land Cruiser has its share of competitors for both off-road capability and heritage charm: Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, and Land Rover Defender. But for fans celebrating its return to the US, this may be the ultimate modernized blast from the past.
