The resurrected Toyota Land Cruiser for 2024 arrives with significant expectations, carrying the weight of its legendary heritage. Once Toyota’s flagship SUV in the US market, this new iteration shifts its focus, aiming for a broader appeal. While the retro-inspired exterior undeniably captures attention, the 2024 Land Cruiser, unfortunately, struggles to deliver a truly special experience beneath the surface.
To be fair, the previous generation Land Cruiser, despite its near-$90,000 price tag, offered a surprisingly basic interior reminiscent of a more affordable 4Runner. Its value proposition was questionable at best, bordering on a rip-off, were it not for its unparalleled reputation for durability and off-road prowess. Known for its robustness, the old Land Cruiser was a vehicle you could trust in the most demanding environments, like the Sahara Desert. However, beyond its toughness, it was an overpriced and under-equipped vehicle. In that context, the 2024 Land Cruiser had a low bar to clear for improvement.
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser review featured on The Road Beat, highlighting the vehicle’s updated design.
Forget the past, as the 2024 Land Cruiser is fundamentally a different vehicle, sharing little more than a name with its predecessor. Ironically, this new model aligns more closely with the original Land Cruiser ethos by being based on the Land Cruiser Prado platform, which itself is related to the smaller 4Runner. This translates to a more manageable size, a modern turbocharged four-cylinder engine with hybrid assistance replacing the old V8, and a striking neo-vintage design. The styling is undeniably one of the strongest aspects of the new Land Cruiser, drawing admiring glances wherever it goes.
Side profile of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, showcasing its boxy silhouette and retro-inspired lines.
However, the initial allure fades upon closer inspection. Despite the online buzz, the 2024 Land Cruiser test drive proved underwhelming. While equipped with sophisticated off-road technology and various terrain modes, the reality is that most Land Cruisers will spend their lives on paved roads. A significant drawback is the supposedly fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain. Despite the downsizing trend, the turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered surprisingly poor fuel economy, averaging under 18 MPG in mixed driving conditions. This is particularly disappointing considering the EPA combined rating of 25 MPG seems unattainable in real-world scenarios. To put this in perspective, a larger Toyota Sequoia SUV, with its considerably more powerful twin-turbo V6 hybrid, achieved the same fuel economy in testing.
Interior view of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, highlighting the brown leather seats and dashboard layout.
Performance-wise, the 2024 Land Cruiser feels adequate but not particularly spirited, despite the combined 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. The 0-60 mph time of 7.5 seconds is respectable for a vehicle of this type, but the “i-FORCE MAX” badge raises expectations for more assertive acceleration, especially in passing situations. While the engine is generally refined, lacking the harshness of older Toyota four-cylinders, the hybrid system’s fuel consumption is a major letdown. The point of a hybrid four-cylinder with such poor mileage is questionable. Furthermore, the engine exhibits noticeable noise at idle, with clicks and clacks that sound uncharacteristic of a new vehicle, almost like an exhaust leak or valve train noise.
The interior of this mid-range Land Cruiser trim is decent for a Toyota, but it falls short of expectations for a vehicle priced around $70,000. While the brown soft-touch materials on the doors and seats create an initial impression of luxury, the seats themselves are quite flat and lack support for longer journeys. Numerous cheap-feeling and awkwardly placed controls detract from the overall ambiance. The air conditioning button panel feels flimsy and creaks under pressure. The volume knob placement is particularly perplexing, being inaccessible to the passenger and partially obscured from the driver’s view by the steering wheel. It seems like an afterthought in the design. The doors, unlike the bank-vault solidness of the previous Land Cruiser, now sound tinny and hollow upon closing, suggesting a reduction in build quality. The hybrid battery placement also compromises cargo space, resulting in a high cargo floor and reduced storage capacity. Road noise is well-suppressed, but wind noise is noticeable, particularly around the large side mirrors, creating a vortex effect against the windshield and side windows. Driving with the windows down at higher speeds is also unpleasant due to excessive wind noise generated by the mirrors.
Adding to the interior disappointments, the air conditioning proved surprisingly weak for a new vehicle, even during moderately warm evenings. The front seat heaters were virtually ineffective. In multiple instances, even on the highest setting, occupants could barely detect any warmth. One passenger remained completely unaware that the seat heater was activated during a 15-minute drive. This weak air conditioning performance is a recurring issue observed in some newer Toyota models, and the Land Cruiser’s seat heaters are among the least effective ever experienced.
Rear seats of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, showing the legroom and seat design.
Further critiques include the gauge cluster, which is virtually invisible to passengers in daylight, as if equipped with a privacy screen. The cluster design is typical of modern Toyotas, cluttered with excessive icons and convoluted menus that are difficult to navigate. Frustratingly, safety settings adjustments are buried within this cluster menu and cannot be accessed through the main center display. The test vehicle also exhibited a malfunctioning automatic day/night mode for the main infotainment screen. Despite having the automatic setting enabled and correct time zone settings, the screen remained in bright white day mode even at night, causing significant glare. While older Toyotas might momentarily flash white before switching to dark mode, this system failed to switch automatically at all. The only solution was to manually switch to permanent dark mode for nighttime driving.
Despite these shortcomings, the 2024 Land Cruiser does possess some redeeming qualities in its driving dynamics. The steering is precise and makes maneuvering this boxy SUV surprisingly easy. Handling is also better than expected for this type of vehicle, exhibiting a degree of balance in corners. While overall tire grip is limited, the new Land Cruiser is noticeably more composed in corners than previous 4Runner or Land Cruiser models. Ride quality is also well-tuned, effectively absorbing various road imperfections without the overly stiff and jarring ride often found in older Toyota SUVs and trucks.
The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser in Heritage Blue color, showcasing its retro design and boxy shape.
Off-road testing was limited, so assessment of its departure angles and suspension articulation remains untested. However, despite the advanced off-road technology and terrain management systems, the Land Cruiser’s ground clearance of just 8.7 inches is a significant limitation. This is less than the current 4Runner, considerably less than a Tacoma TRD Off-Road pickup, and only marginally better than a standard Highlander. Without modifications like a lift kit and larger tires, off-roading the 2024 Land Cruiser will require extreme caution to avoid scraping or bottoming out. In practical off-road scenarios, the modest ground clearance negates much of the benefit of its sophisticated articulation and technology when encountering even moderately sized obstacles. For a vehicle marketed to the Overlanding community, the new Land Cruiser’s out-of-the-box off-road capability may disappoint, contradicting its back-to-basics, accessible off-roader image. Serious off-road enthusiasts might find a 4Runner TRD Pro a more capable and cost-effective choice. While the Land Cruiser will undoubtedly be capable off-road, its capabilities are unlikely to surpass, and may even fall short of, less expensive SUVs. Its advantage lies in providing a degree of comfort and electronic assistance in off-road situations.
Ultimately, the 2024 Land Cruiser’s appealing retro aesthetics and positive public reception are undeniable. However, the underwhelming engine performance, subpar interior quality for its price point, and questionable off-road advantage compared to cheaper alternatives paint a less rosy picture. It emerges more as a style-conscious vehicle than a truly exceptional SUV, and its visual appeal will likely be the primary driver for many buyers. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with that – luxury SUVs like the Mercedes G-Wagon rarely see off-road use – the Land Cruiser falls short of expectations. It’s not that it’s a bad vehicle, but it is disappointing. The hype surrounding its return created higher hopes, but the reality doesn’t quite live up to the anticipation. By aiming for mainstream appeal and approachability, the Land Cruiser has arguably lost some of its unique charm and desirability. The previous generation’s rarity and exclusivity contributed to its special status, whereas this new iteration feels like just another Toyota in the lineup.
For those seeking a more authentic “Land Cruiser” experience, the Lexus GX 550 emerges as a compelling alternative. Sharing a similar design language, the GX 550 boasts a more luxurious interior and replaces the four-cylinder engine with a significantly more refined and powerful twin-turbo V6. The GX 550 review, linked here, reveals that it achieves comparable fuel economy to the Land Cruiser while offering superior performance and a more premium cabin, often for only a modest price increase. For most buyers, the Lexus GX 550 represents a more satisfying and well-rounded choice.
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser
As-tested price: $70,029
Pros: Striking exterior design; Advanced electronic off-road aids.
Cons: Thirsty four-cylinder engine; High price; Limited ground clearance.
Front view of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser in Heritage Blue, emphasizing its classic Toyota grille and round headlights.
Close-up detail of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser’s headlight and grille design, highlighting the retro styling cues.
Front three-quarter view of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, demonstrating its overall stance and design proportions.
Detailed shot of the brown leather interior of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, showcasing the seat stitching and material.
Rear three-quarter view of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser in Heritage Blue, highlighting its taillight design and rear profile.
Dashboard and infotainment screen of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser interior, showing the controls and display.
Rear seating area of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, providing a view of the seats and interior space.
Driver’s side interior of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, showcasing the steering wheel, instrument cluster, and door panel.
Close-up view of the awkwardly placed volume knob in the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser interior, highlighting its inconvenient location.
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser review and photos by Mitchell Weitzman and The Road Beat.
