.png)
When the Toyota Land Cruiser sailed off from the U.S. in 2021, it wasn't really the end for the iconic SUV on our shores. Fast forward to the 2024 model year, and the Land Cruiser returns as a smaller, even more rugged model that shakes off the luxury reputation its larger counterpart has gained. As a result, Toyota says our Land Cruiser will open up in the "mid-$50,000 range," which cuts nearly $30,000 off the $85,515 price tag we last saw in America.
Have a glance at nearly any angle of the new Land Cruiser, and it's almost guaranteed that you'll see a glimmer of the SUV's past baked into its rugged new design. Its boxy profile is not dissimilar from the Lexus GX it's based on, but most of the Toyota's body panels take on a retro look instead of the more modern cues seen on the GX.
Some Land Cruiser trims are more retro than others, as its styling is slightly different depending on the exact model. Entry-level Land Cruiser 1958 models feature round LED headlights, along with a heritage-inspired grille bearing wide "TOYOTA" lettering. Moving up the trim ladder sees the more old-fashioned round headlights get swapped out for more contemporary rectangular ones, which are said to mirror the FJ62 Land Cruiser from the 1980s. Higher trims also add new "color selectable" RIGID fog lights, which can be had with either yellow or white lighting units. Each Land Cruiser rides on standard 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-season tires, though the confusingly-named "Land Cruiser" mid-level trim allows buyers to upgrade to larger 20-inch wheels.
Like almost every highly-anticipated new car these days, the new Land Cruiser will top its trim lineup with a First Edition model for the 2024 model year. Just 5,000 examples will be built, featuring some extra off-road goodies that include a front skid plate, rock rails, mudflaps and a roof rack. There's also a "back door guard" and a tailgate light, and the more retro-inspired round headlights return for the range-topping model.
The Land Cruiser will come in seven different exterior colors at launch, including Black, Ice Cap, Wind Chill Pearl, Underground, Meteor Shower, Trail Dust, and Heritage Blue. The latter two colors can also be paired with a Grayscape roof for an extra stylish two-tone look.
In order to achieve that aforementioned $50,000 price tag, the entry-level 1958 trim comes with basic cloth upholstery, a six-speaker sound system, and a relatively small 8-inch infotainment system. While the seats do consist of cloth and are only manually adjustable, the front seats are heated, along with the steering wheel. There's also a standard wireless phone charger, push-button ignition, and a 2400W AC inverter.
Moving up to the mid-range Land Cruiser trim, the touchscreen infotainment system grows to 12.3 inches, and the sound system is upgraded to ten speakers. Seating and upholstery are made of a more luxurious synthetic leather material, while the seats are not only heated but also ventilated. Toyota also offers a premium package that adds even more features, including real leather seats with heating and ventilation, along with a head-up display, digital rearview mirror, moonroof, and a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system.
Finally, the limited-production First Edition model has standard leather seats with embossed "First Edition" emblems on the door panels, as well as a unique key glove with special stitching. Toyota didn't get too specific about what else the First Edition offers, but more details should come closer to launch.
The 2024 Land Cruiser misses out on the 3.4 liter twin-turbo V6 found in the Lexus GX, and instead it's powered by the same i-Force Max hybrid powertrain that made its debut on the 2024 Tacoma pickup. Under the hood, this powertrain uses a 2.4 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, paired with a 1.87 kWh battery. Combined, they send 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque to the wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission and its built-in electric motor.
It's worth noting that the new Land Cruiser does share at least something with the larger 300-series model offered in other markets, as it utilizes the same body-on-frame platform Toyota calls TNGA-F. In fact, this platform also underpins the Tacoma, Tundra, Sequoia, and Lexus LX, along with the mechanically-related Lexus GX. Compared to the 200-series Land Cruiser we last saw on U.S. dealer lots, the new model is said to be more structurally rigid.
The new Land Cruiser also has a "newly developed" double-wishbone front suspension featuring twin-tube shocks, along with a multi-link suspension setup with coil springs for the rear. Other mechanical bits include 17-inch brake discs, electronic power steering, and a trailer hitch included as standard equipment. Speaking of trailers and towing, Toyota says the latest Land Cruiser is capable of towing up to 6,000 pounds, which is less than the larger model found overseas.
The Land Cruiser won't disappoint when sent off the pavement, as it features a full-time four-wheel drive system as standard. The SUV also comes with a center locking differential and a two-speed transfer case, along with an electronic locking rear differential. A promised 8.7 inches of ground clearance will allow the Land Cruiser to scale rocky terrain just like its predecessors, and this is further emphasized by its 30, 22, and 25 degree approach, departure, and breakover angles.
Electronics have a part in the Land Cruiser's off-road performance as well, with all trim levels featuring Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control. Land Cruiser and First Edition models exclusively add Multi-Terrain Select drive modes, a Multi-Terrain Monitor, and a front stabilizer bar disconnect system. Additionally, Toyota claims that over 100 different accessories will be available for the Land Cruiser at launch, from equipment carriers to skid plates.
Toyota says the new Land Cruiser will begin arriving at U.S. dealers in spring of 2024, though exact pricing hasn't been announced yet. This model is also headed for select markets in Europe and Asia, where it will come as a replacement for the aging Land Cruiser Prado.
What do you think of the Land Cruiser's new retro-inspired look?
Image Credits: Toyota
Revealed
Aug 2, 2023
•
Toyota Land Cruiser Comes Back With A Bang, Costs $30K Less Than Before
The model's return to the states doesn't disappoint with its retro-inspired styling.
When the Toyota Land Cruiser sailed off from the U.S. in 2021, it wasn't really the end for the iconic SUV on our shores. Fast forward to the 2024 model year, and the Land Cruiser returns as a smaller, even more rugged model that shakes off the luxury reputation its larger counterpart has gained. As a result, Toyota says our Land Cruiser will open up in the "mid-$50,000 range," which cuts nearly $30,000 off the $85,515 price tag we last saw in America.
Have a glance at nearly any angle of the new Land Cruiser, and it's almost guaranteed that you'll see a glimmer of the SUV's past baked into its rugged new design. Its boxy profile is not dissimilar from the Lexus GX it's based on, but most of the Toyota's body panels take on a retro look instead of the more modern cues seen on the GX.
Some Land Cruiser trims are more retro than others, as its styling is slightly different depending on the exact model. Entry-level Land Cruiser 1958 models feature round LED headlights, along with a heritage-inspired grille bearing wide "TOYOTA" lettering. Moving up the trim ladder sees the more old-fashioned round headlights get swapped out for more contemporary rectangular ones, which are said to mirror the FJ62 Land Cruiser from the 1980s. Higher trims also add new "color selectable" RIGID fog lights, which can be had with either yellow or white lighting units. Each Land Cruiser rides on standard 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-season tires, though the confusingly-named "Land Cruiser" mid-level trim allows buyers to upgrade to larger 20-inch wheels.
Like almost every highly-anticipated new car these days, the new Land Cruiser will top its trim lineup with a First Edition model for the 2024 model year. Just 5,000 examples will be built, featuring some extra off-road goodies that include a front skid plate, rock rails, mudflaps and a roof rack. There's also a "back door guard" and a tailgate light, and the more retro-inspired round headlights return for the range-topping model.
The Land Cruiser will come in seven different exterior colors at launch, including Black, Ice Cap, Wind Chill Pearl, Underground, Meteor Shower, Trail Dust, and Heritage Blue. The latter two colors can also be paired with a Grayscape roof for an extra stylish two-tone look.
In order to achieve that aforementioned $50,000 price tag, the entry-level 1958 trim comes with basic cloth upholstery, a six-speaker sound system, and a relatively small 8-inch infotainment system. While the seats do consist of cloth and are only manually adjustable, the front seats are heated, along with the steering wheel. There's also a standard wireless phone charger, push-button ignition, and a 2400W AC inverter.
Moving up to the mid-range Land Cruiser trim, the touchscreen infotainment system grows to 12.3 inches, and the sound system is upgraded to ten speakers. Seating and upholstery are made of a more luxurious synthetic leather material, while the seats are not only heated but also ventilated. Toyota also offers a premium package that adds even more features, including real leather seats with heating and ventilation, along with a head-up display, digital rearview mirror, moonroof, and a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system.
Finally, the limited-production First Edition model has standard leather seats with embossed "First Edition" emblems on the door panels, as well as a unique key glove with special stitching. Toyota didn't get too specific about what else the First Edition offers, but more details should come closer to launch.
The 2024 Land Cruiser misses out on the 3.4 liter twin-turbo V6 found in the Lexus GX, and instead it's powered by the same i-Force Max hybrid powertrain that made its debut on the 2024 Tacoma pickup. Under the hood, this powertrain uses a 2.4 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, paired with a 1.87 kWh battery. Combined, they send 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque to the wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission and its built-in electric motor.
It's worth noting that the new Land Cruiser does share at least something with the larger 300-series model offered in other markets, as it utilizes the same body-on-frame platform Toyota calls TNGA-F. In fact, this platform also underpins the Tacoma, Tundra, Sequoia, and Lexus LX, along with the mechanically-related Lexus GX. Compared to the 200-series Land Cruiser we last saw on U.S. dealer lots, the new model is said to be more structurally rigid.
The new Land Cruiser also has a "newly developed" double-wishbone front suspension featuring twin-tube shocks, along with a multi-link suspension setup with coil springs for the rear. Other mechanical bits include 17-inch brake discs, electronic power steering, and a trailer hitch included as standard equipment. Speaking of trailers and towing, Toyota says the latest Land Cruiser is capable of towing up to 6,000 pounds, which is less than the larger model found overseas.
The Land Cruiser won't disappoint when sent off the pavement, as it features a full-time four-wheel drive system as standard. The SUV also comes with a center locking differential and a two-speed transfer case, along with an electronic locking rear differential. A promised 8.7 inches of ground clearance will allow the Land Cruiser to scale rocky terrain just like its predecessors, and this is further emphasized by its 30, 22, and 25 degree approach, departure, and breakover angles.
Electronics have a part in the Land Cruiser's off-road performance as well, with all trim levels featuring Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control. Land Cruiser and First Edition models exclusively add Multi-Terrain Select drive modes, a Multi-Terrain Monitor, and a front stabilizer bar disconnect system. Additionally, Toyota claims that over 100 different accessories will be available for the Land Cruiser at launch, from equipment carriers to skid plates.
Toyota says the new Land Cruiser will begin arriving at U.S. dealers in spring of 2024, though exact pricing hasn't been announced yet. This model is also headed for select markets in Europe and Asia, where it will come as a replacement for the aging Land Cruiser Prado.
What do you think of the Land Cruiser's new retro-inspired look?
Image Credits: Toyota
