2024 Toyota Land Cruiser: Hybrid power and advanced tech usher in off-road hero’s new era
SAN DIEGO – After two years out of the U.S. market, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser midsize SUV revives one of Toyota’s proudest model names with an all-hybrid lineup and loads of other advanced technology to compete with off-roaders like the Ford Bronco, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Land Rover Defender 110.
The new model’s boxy exterior and available two-tone paint consciously recall the 1958 Land Cruiser that was one of Toyota’s first successes in the American market, while its price and features establish it as one of the brand’s modern flagships.
The five-passenger SUV shares its GA-F architecture and many other systems with Toyota’s other body-on-frame trucks: the Tundra, Tacoma, Sequoia and upcoming 4Runner and Lexus GX and LX. The Land Cruiser is similar in size to the less expensive and even more off-road oriented 4Runner arriving this fall.
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser trim levels and prices
2024 Land Cruiser prices start at $59,950. It’s on sale now.
Land Cruiser 1958: $55,950
Land Cruiser: $61,950
Land Cruiser First Edition: $74,950
Source: Edmunds. Prices exclude $1,395 destination charge.
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The Land Cruiser measures 193.8 inches long, 0.3 inch longer than a Grand Cherokee. At 76.1 inches tall, the Land Cruiser’s roof is 5.3 inches higher than the Jeep’s.
The Jeep’s wheelbase is 4½ inches longer than the Land Cruiser’s 112.2 inches. That suggests a smaller turning radius for the Jeep, but Toyota did not allow on-road evaluation drives. Impressions of its behavior in parking lots, on highways and city streets will have to wait.
All Land Cruisers have full-time all-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case for off-roading. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard.
All Land Cruisers have a turbocharged 2.4L four-cylinder engine linked to Toyota’s proven hybrid electric system.
The powertrain produces 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. Both figures top the competitors’ base powerplants.
The hybrid’s EPA estimated fuel economy of 22 mpg in the city, 25 on the highway and 23 combined tops the competitors by 1 to 6 mpg. However, Toyota recommends premium fuel for best performance while the Ford and Jeep both get full power from regular. That makes them less expensive to run, per EPA calculations.
I drove a well-equipped Land Cruiser over a challenging off-road course a couple of miles from the Mexican border.
Safety and driver assist features
Adaptive cruise control
Pre-collision alert and braking including pedestrian detection
Lane departure alert and steering assist
Lane centering
Road sign assist
Automatic high beams
Blind spot alert
Cross traffic alert
Hill start assist
Proactive driving assist
Driving impressions
The Land Cruiser is roomy and comfortable. The controls are easy to use. Physical buttons, switches and dials for driving modes, climate control, volume and more are within easy reach on the center console and dash.
The steering was firm and direct. The torquey hybrid powertrain delivered plenty of power for steep grades, piles of rock and soft sand.
A handy electronic control system manages throttle, transmission and braking at selectable trail speeds, freeing the driver to concentrate on obstacles ahead, or when topping a rise, the forward camera’s view of what was on the other side of the hill.
The advanced drivetrain and electronic controls combine to take much of the stress out of even difficult trails.
Available features include:
12.3-inch touch screen
Toyota digital assistant for connected navigation, etc.
Wireless charging
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
18- or 20-inch wheels
Power tailgate
Heated and ventilated front seats
Heated rear seats
JBL audio
Key off-road equipment
Full-time all-wheel drive
High and low gear ranges
8.7-inch ground clearance
Locking center and rear differentials
Stabilizer bar disconnect
Front and rear tow hooks
Front skid plate
Cameras with off-road views
Why get one?
The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is an advanced and comfortable rock crawler wrapped in a package with appealing retro touches. The roomy passenger and cargo compartments should serve well in everyday use as well as back country outings.
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser at a glance
Five-passenger, four-door hybrid midsize SUV
Full-time all-wheel drive, two speed transfer case
Base price: $55,950 (All prices exclude $1,395 destination charge)
Price as tested: $66,745
Power: Hybrid-electric 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder
Output: 326 hp @ 6,000, 465 pound-feet of torque @ 1,700 5pm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
EPA estimated fuel economy: 22 mpg city/ 25 highway/23 combined. Premium gasoline.
Wheelbase: 112.2 inches
Length: 193.8 inches
Width: 77.9 inches
Height: 76.1 inches
Ground clearance: 8.7 inches
Curb weight: 5,038 pounds
Towing capacity: 6,000 pounds
Assembled in Tahara, Japan
Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser harnesses hybrid power to challenge Jeep, Ford