The Toyota Land Cruiser, a name synonymous with ruggedness and reliability, has been a flagship vehicle for Toyota for decades. The latest iteration of the Land Cruiser arrives with significant expectations, especially for the US market where it held a prestigious position. This new model aims to broaden its appeal, venturing slightly down-market to attract a more mainstream audience. While the retro-inspired exterior undeniably captures attention, the question remains: does this new Land Cruiser live up to its legendary name, or does it leave us wanting more?
Image: Front three-quarter view of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser in a neutral outdoor setting, showcasing its retro-inspired design.
To understand the 2024 Land Cruiser, it’s crucial to acknowledge its predecessor. The outgoing model, while carrying the esteemed Land Cruiser badge, was arguably outdated and overpriced. Priced near $90,000, it offered an interior that felt akin to a more basic Toyota 4Runner. Despite its shortcomings in luxury and refinement for the price, it was celebrated for its unparalleled durability and off-road prowess. It was the vehicle you could trust in the most demanding conditions, a legend of reliability. Therefore, the new Land Cruiser had a significant opportunity to improve upon its predecessor in numerous aspects.
Image: Side profile of the new Toyota Land Cruiser, emphasizing its boxy silhouette and updated design elements.
The 2024 Land Cruiser represents a significant departure from the previous generation, sharing little more than the name. Interestingly, this new model aligns more closely with the global Land Cruiser Prado, which is built on a platform related to the smaller 4Runner. This translates to a more compact footprint, a departure from the full-size dimensions of the previous US-market Land Cruiser. The traditional V8 engine is replaced by a modern turbocharged four-cylinder engine augmented with a hybrid system. Coupled with the striking neo-vintage styling, this is undeniably a new era for the Land Cruiser. The exterior design is indeed a strong point, successfully blending retro cues with a modern aesthetic, making it visually appealing and instantly recognizable.
However, the allure of the retro styling fades somewhat when you delve deeper into the driving experience. Despite the advanced off-road technology and various terrain modes, the reality is that most Land Cruisers will spend the majority of their time on paved roads. This is where the hybrid powertrain, while seemingly a step towards modernity and efficiency, becomes a point of contention. Downsizing engines is a common trend, but the fuel economy achieved by this turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid is surprisingly disappointing. During a week of mixed driving conditions, the average fuel economy was under 18 MPG. This figure is particularly underwhelming when compared to the EPA combined estimate of 25 MPG and even more so when considering that a larger SUV like the Toyota Sequoia, equipped with a significantly more powerful twin-turbo V6 hybrid, achieved similar fuel economy in testing.
Image: Close-up of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser’s interior, focusing on the dashboard and infotainment screen, highlighting the blend of modern and functional design.
Performance-wise, the 326 combined horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque figures suggest ample power. However, in practice, the Land Cruiser doesn’t feel particularly quick, with a 0-60 mph time of around 7.5 seconds. While outright speed isn’t the primary objective for a vehicle like the Land Cruiser, the “i-FORCE MAX” badge creates an expectation of more robust performance, especially in passing situations. Around town and in normal driving, the engine is adequate, but the fuel consumption remains a significant drawback. While the engine is generally refined compared to older Toyota four-cylinders, the hybrid system exhibits noticeable noise at idle, with clicks and clacks that might raise concerns about potential mechanical issues.
Stepping inside, the mid-range model tested presents a decent interior for a Toyota, but it may not fully justify the $70,000 price tag. Soft-touch materials and brown accents attempt to create a premium feel, but the seats are rather flat and lack support for longer journeys. Numerous controls feel cheap and are positioned awkwardly. The air conditioning controls, for instance, exhibit noticeable creaking and movement. The volume knob’s placement is particularly questionable, being inaccessible to the passenger and even obscured from the driver’s view by the steering wheel. This placement feels like an afterthought in the interior design. Furthermore, the doors lack the solid, bank-vault-like closure of older Land Cruisers, sounding hollow and less substantial, indicative of cost-saving measures in construction. The hybrid battery placement also raises the cargo floor, reducing overall cargo space and practicality. While road noise is well-suppressed, wind noise is noticeable, particularly from the large side mirrors, especially at higher speeds or when driving with the windows down.
Adding to the interior concerns, the air conditioning performance was surprisingly weak, even during moderate temperatures. Similarly, the front seat warmers were barely perceptible, even on the highest setting, essentially rendering them ineffective.
Image: View of the rear seats in the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, showing legroom and seat design.
Further interior quirks include a gauge cluster that is difficult for passengers to view due to its design, almost resembling a privacy screen. The cluster itself is cluttered with excessive icons and features convoluted menus for settings adjustments, with safety settings inexplicably separated from the main infotainment display. The test vehicle also experienced issues with the automatic day/night mode for the main screen, which failed to switch to dark mode at night, resulting in a distracting and overly bright display during nighttime driving.
Despite these shortcomings, the new Land Cruiser demonstrates surprisingly pleasant driving dynamics. The steering is precise and makes maneuvering the vehicle easy, while the handling is reasonably competent for its size and type, exhibiting a degree of balance in cornering. While tire grip is limited, it still offers better cornering capabilities than previous 4Runners and Land Cruisers. Ride quality is also commendable, effectively absorbing road imperfections without the excessive stiffness often found in Toyota trucks and SUVs of the past.
Image: The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser in Heritage Blue color, parked in a scenic environment, highlighting its retro styling and color option.
Off-road capability is a core aspect of the Land Cruiser’s heritage. While off-road testing wasn’t conducted, the specifications reveal a ground clearance of only 8.7 inches, which is less than the current 4Runner and only marginally better than a Toyota Highlander. This limited ground clearance raises questions about its true off-road potential without modifications like a lift kit or larger tires. In practical off-road scenarios, ground clearance is often a more limiting factor than advanced electronic aids or suspension articulation. For a vehicle marketed to the overlanding community, the stock ground clearance may be a significant compromise. While the Land Cruiser will undoubtedly be capable off-road, its capabilities might not surpass those of less expensive SUVs, and it certainly won’t outperform them in situations where ground clearance is paramount. The advanced off-road technology provides electronic assistance and comfort, but ultimately, physical limitations remain. For serious off-road enthusiasts, a 4Runner TRD Pro might offer comparable or even superior capability at a lower price point.
Ultimately, the new Land Cruiser is a vehicle that evokes mixed feelings. Its striking exterior design is undeniably appealing and attracts attention. However, the underwhelming engine performance and fuel economy, coupled with interior shortcomings and compromised off-road ground clearance, temper the initial enthusiasm. It appears to be positioned more as a fashion statement than a genuinely groundbreaking off-road vehicle. For buyers prioritizing style and brand image, the new Land Cruiser may hold appeal. However, for those seeking true value, performance, and uncompromised off-road capability, it may fall short of expectations. The previous Land Cruiser, despite its flaws, possessed a certain exclusivity and uniqueness due to its limited production. This new iteration, aiming for broader appeal, risks becoming just another Toyota SUV in a crowded market.
For those seeking a more refined and genuinely “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 more potent twin-turbo V6. Early indications suggest that the GX 550 addresses many of the shortcomings of the Toyota Land Cruiser, offering improved performance, comparable fuel economy, and a more premium overall experience, often at a surprisingly modest price difference.
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser
As-tested price: $70,029
Pros:
- Striking and desirable exterior styling
- Advanced electronic off-road driving aids
Cons:
- Disappointing fuel economy from the four-cylinder hybrid engine
- High price point for the features and overall experience
- Limited ground clearance for serious off-roading
Image: Front view of the Heritage Blue 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, highlighting its retro grille and headlight design.
Image: Detailed close-up of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser’s headlight and grille area, emphasizing the retro design elements.
Image: A dynamic shot of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser in motion on a paved road, showcasing its on-road presence.
Image: Interior detail showcasing the brown leather upholstery in the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, highlighting the material quality.
Image: Rear three-quarter view of the Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Blue model, emphasizing its taillights and overall rear design.
Image: Wide shot of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser’s dashboard and front interior, providing a comprehensive view of the cabin layout.
Image: Rear passenger perspective of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser’s interior, focusing on the rear seats and overall cabin ambiance.
Image: Front passenger area of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser’s interior, showcasing the dashboard design and passenger space.
Image: Close-up detail of the awkwardly placed volume knob in the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser’s interior, highlighting the ergonomic issue.
Review and photos by Mitchell Weitzman and The Road Beat.
