2024 Toyota Land Cruiser: A Smaller, Cheaper, and Greener Off-Road Icon

Posted by Florin Muna on August 2nd, 2023

The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of the most legendary names in the automotive world. For over 60 years, it has been conquering the toughest terrains and earning the respect of adventurers and enthusiasts alike. But in recent years, the Land Cruiser became too big, too expensive, and too thirsty for many buyers, especially in the US market. That’s why Toyota decided to take a break and rethink its strategy for this iconic SUV.

Now, the Land Cruiser is back for the 2024 model year, and it’s a completely different beast. It’s smaller, cheaper, and more fuel-efficient than before, thanks to a hybrid powertrain and a new platform. It also pays homage to its heritage with retro styling cues and a simplified trim structure. But don’t worry, and it still has all the off-road capability and durability that made it famous in the first place.

Here’s what you need to know about the new Toyota Land Cruiser, which will go on sale in the spring of 2024.

A Hybrid Heart

The biggest change for the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is under the hood. Gone is the thirsty 5.7-liter V8 engine that powered the previous generation. Instead, the new Land Cruiser gets a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that works with an electric motor and a battery pack to produce a combined output of 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. This is the same powertrain that will also be available in the upcoming Toyota Tacoma pickup truck.

The hybrid system not only improves the fuel economy of the Land Cruiser but also enhances its performance and drivability. The electric motor provides instant torque at low speeds, which is ideal for crawling over rocks and sand. The turbocharged engine delivers strong acceleration at higher speeds, which is useful for passing and merging on highways. The hybrid system also allows the Land Cruiser to run on electric power alone for short distances, which can reduce emissions and noise in urban areas.

The hybrid powertrain is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case. The Toyota Land Cruiser also comes with a locking rear differential, hill descent control, crawl control, and a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds.

A Smaller Footprint

Another major change for the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is its size. The new model is based on the TNGA-F platform, which is shared with other Toyota and Lexus models, such as the Sequoia, Tundra, LX600, and GX550. The platform is modular and flexible, allowing Toyota to tailor the dimensions of the Land Cruiser to suit different markets and preferences.

For the US market, Toyota decided to make the Land Cruiser smaller and narrower than the previous generation, as well as the global version of the new model. The US-spec Land Cruiser has a wheelbase of 112.2 inches, a length of 193.7 inches, a width of 84.2 inches, and a height of 73.2 inches. These measurements make it more maneuverable and agile on tight trails and narrow streets than its predecessor.

The smaller size also means that the Land Cruiser is now a two-row, five-passenger vehicle, unlike the previous model that offered three rows and seven seats. This may disappoint some buyers who need more space for their family or friends, but it also simplifies the interior design and reduces weight and cost.

A Retro Look

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser also gets a makeover that reflects its history and character. The exterior design is inspired by past models such as the FJ40 and FJ62, with blocky shapes, round or rectangular headlights, an egg-crate grille with TOYOTA lettering, steel bumpers, and no chrome or logos (except on the wheel caps). The Land Cruiser also comes in seven colors: Ice Cap (white), Wind Chill Pearl (silver), Underground (gray), Black (black), Meteor Shower (blue), Trail Dust (beige), and Heritage Blue (dark blue). Some of these colors are two-tone with a contrasting roof.

The interior design is also simple and functional, with durable materials and easy-to-use controls. The dashboard features an embossed LAND CRUISER logo on the passenger side, while the driver gets a heated steering wheel, a digital instrument cluster, an 8-inch or optional 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a wireless charging pad, and dual USB-C ports. The seats are either cloth or faux leather, with heating and ventilation available.

A Simple Choice

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser will be offered in three trim levels: Land Cruiser 1958, Land Cruiser, and Land Cruiser First Edition. The base model is named after the first year that the Land Cruiser was sold in the US, and it features round headlights, an egg-crate grille, 18-inch wheels, and heated cloth seats. The mid-range model has rectangular headlights, a body-colored front fascia, roof rails, 20-inch wheels, and more standard equipment and technology. The top model is a limited edition of 5,000 units that adds a unique front skid plate, a roof rack, rock rails, and other exclusive features.

The starting price for the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is expected to be in the mid-,000 range, which is much lower than the ,000 price tag of the previous model. This makes the Land Cruiser more accessible and competitive with other off-road SUVs such as the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, and Land Rover Defender.

A Legend Reborn

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is a bold and smart move by Toyota to revive its off-road icon. By making it smaller, cheaper, and greener, Toyota has addressed some of the main criticisms of the previous model and made the Land Cruiser more appealing to a wider audience. At the same time, by honoring its heritage and retaining its capability and durability, Toyota has preserved the essence and spirit of the Land Cruiser, which has earned it a loyal fan base around the world.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is not just a comeback. It’s a rebirth. And we can’t wait to get behind the wheel and see what it can do.