The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of the most iconic and legendary vehicles in the world, with a history that spans over 70 years and millions of loyal fans. But in recent years, the Land Cruiser has become more of a luxury SUV than a rugged off-roader, losing some of its appeal and identity. That’s why Toyota decided to take a bold step and reinvent the Land Cruiser for the 2024 model year, bringing it back to its roots as a simple, reliable, and capable machine that can tackle any terrain.
The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is smaller, lighter, cheaper, and more fuel-efficient than the previous generation, but it still retains the distinctive styling and features that make it a Land Cruiser. It also introduces a new hybrid powertrain that combines a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and a battery pack, delivering 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid system also improves the Land Cruiser’s off-road performance, as it can provide instant torque and regenerative braking.
Trim Levels
The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is available in three trim levels: Land Cruiser 1958, Land Cruiser, and Land Cruiser First Edition. The Land Cruiser 1958 is the base model that pays homage to the first year of the Land Cruiser’s arrival in the US. It features round LED headlights, a heritage grille with TOYOTA lettering, steel bumpers, 18-inch wheels, cloth seats, and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The Toyota Land Cruiser is the mid-range model that has rectangular LED headlights, body-colored front fascia, roof rails, 20-inch wheels, leather seats, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and more advanced off-road features such as front stabilizer bar disconnect, Multi-Terrain Select modes, and Multi-Terrain Monitor cameras. The Toyota Land Cruiser First Edition is a top-of-the-line model that is limited to 5,000 units for North America. It adds a unique front skid plate, rock rails, a premium sound system, a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, and a panoramic moonroof.
Off-Road Capability
All 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser models come with full-time four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case and locking center and rear differentials. They also have an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and manual mode. The suspension consists of a double-wishbone setup at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear with coil springs. The ground clearance is up to 8.7 inches, and the approach, departure, and breakover angles are up to 31.0, 22.0, and 25.0 degrees, respectively. The towing capacity is rated at 6,000 pounds.
Interior Features
The interior of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is designed to be comfortable and functional for both on-road and off-road driving. It has heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, four-zone climate control, wireless phone charger, power inverter, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and automatic high-beam headlights. The dashboard has an embossed LAND CRUISER logo on the passenger side and side knee pads for the driver. There is also a palm rest for using the touchscreen.
Exterior Design
Past models inspire the exterior of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser but also has modern touches. The body is narrower and shorter than the previous generation to improve maneuverability and visibility. The hood has an overbite that extends over the grille for a distinctive look. The rear has a large tailgate with TOYOTA lettering and LED taillights. The color options include Ice Cap (white), Wind Chill Pearl (silver), Underground (gray), Black (black), Meteor Shower (blue), Trail Dust (beige), and Heritage Blue (dark blue). Some models also offer two-tone colors with black roofs.
Pricing and Availability
The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is expected to arrive in dealerships in the spring of 2024. Toyota has not announced the official pricing yet but said that it will start in the mid-$50,000 range for the base model. This makes it much more affordable than the previous generation, which started at around $85,000. The new Land Cruiser will compete with other off-road SUVs such as the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, and Land Rover Defender, but it will also have its own loyal fan base that appreciates its heritage and reputation.
Conclusion
The new Toyota Land Cruiser is a welcome return of an off-road icon that has been redesigned to appeal to both old and new customers. It combines retro styling with hybrid power and modern features to create a versatile vehicle that can handle any adventure. It also honors the original Land Cruiser’s spirit of simplicity, reliability, and capability, that has made it a legend for over seven decades.
