2024 Toyota Land Cruiser: The Legend Returns

When Toyota discontinued the Land Cruiser (the 200 Series) in the United States after the 2021 model year, a collective groan went up from the off-road community. The Land Cruiser is an icon, a vehicle synonymous with durability, capability, and go-anywhere reliability. But the old model had a problem: it had become a bloated, $90,000 luxury barge that few people actually bought.

For 2024, the Land Cruiser is back (codenamed the 250 Series). And Toyota has done something remarkable: they listened. They have completely reinvented the Land Cruiser, taking it back to its roots. It is smaller, boxier, more rugged, and—crucially—significantly cheaper, with a starting price in the mid-$50,000 range.

We took the new Land Cruiser to the trails of Moab and the highways of Colorado to see if this downsized, hybridized successor is worthy of the legendary badge.

Design: Retro Done Right

The first thing you notice is the look. It is fantastic. Toyota has nailed the retro-modern aesthetic. The profile is upright and boxy, maximizing visibility and interior space. The front end features either round headlights (on the “1958” base trim and “First Edition”) or rectangular ones (on the mid-grade “Land Cruiser” trim). Both look great, evoking the classic FJ40 and FJ60 models of the past.

It sits on the TNGA-F body-on-frame platform, shared with the new Tacoma, Tundra, and Lexus GX. It feels solid, substantial, and ready for abuse. The overhangs are short, providing excellent approach and departure angles. It looks like a tool, not a toy.

The Powertrain: Goodbye V8, Hello Hybrid

The biggest controversy surrounds what’s under the hood. The silky-smooth 5.7-liter V8 is gone. In its place is the “i-FORCE MAX” hybrid powertrain. It combines a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-horsepower electric motor integrated into the 8-speed automatic transmission.

Total output is 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. While the horsepower is down slightly from the old V8 (381 hp), the torque is up significantly (from 401 lb-ft), and it arrives much lower in the rev range thanks to the electric motor.

On the road, the powertrain is punchy and responsive. The electric motor fills in the torque gaps while the turbo spools up. It doesn’t sound as good as a V8—it sounds like a vacuum cleaner at high revs—but it moves the 5,000-lb SUV with authority. Merging onto highways is effortless.

Fuel economy is the big win here. The old Land Cruiser struggled to get 14 mpg. The new one is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined. In our testing, we saw around 21 mpg in mixed driving, which is a massive improvement that extends the vehicle’s range significantly.

Off-Road Capability

This is a Land Cruiser, so it has to perform in the dirt. And it does. Standard equipment includes full-time four-wheel drive with a center locking differential and a two-speed transfer case.

We took it up some serious rock crawling trails, and it didn’t break a sweat. The suspension articulation is good, though not Wrangler-level. However, the new front stabilizer bar disconnect mechanism (SDM) allows you to push a button and disconnect the sway bar for increased wheel travel at low speeds.

Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control (essentially off-road cruise control) are standard and work quieter and smoother than in previous generations. The Crawl Control is particularly impressive; you just point the steering wheel, and the computer manages the throttle and brakes to climb over obstacles with zero drama.

The smaller size is a huge asset off-road. The old 200 Series was a tank—wide and unwieldy on tight trails. The new 250 Series is narrower, making it much easier to thread through trees and rocks without pinstriping the paint.

Interior and Comfort

Inside, the Land Cruiser is utilitarian but comfortable. The dashboard is blocky and functional, with big physical buttons for the climate control and drive modes (again, thank you Toyota). The materials are durable—lots of soft-touch plastics and rubberized surfaces that look like they can be easily wiped down.

The seating position is commanding, offering a great view over the hood. The seats themselves are supportive, though the “SofTex” synthetic leather on the mid-trims can get a bit sweaty on hot days. Real leather is available on the Premium package.

Tech-wise, you get either an 8-inch or a 12.3-inch touchscreen running Toyota’s latest infotainment system. It’s a vast improvement over the old Entune system, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There is a compromise, however. The battery pack for the hybrid system sits under the cargo floor, raising the load height. This means you can’t get a third row (unlike the Lexus GX), and the cargo area is a bit smaller than you might expect. It’s fine for a family of four, but pack carefully.

The Competition

• Ford Bronco: The Bronco is more capable off-road (especially the Sasquatch package) and you can take the roof and doors off. But the Land Cruiser is much more refined, quieter, and better built.
• Jeep Wrangler: The king of off-road, but a penalty box on the highway. The Land Cruiser is a luxury car by comparison.
• Land Rover Defender: The closest rival in spirit. The Defender is more luxurious and drives better on the road, but its reliability record is… questionable. The Toyota will likely run forever.
• Lexus GX 550: Built on the same platform but comes with a twin-turbo V6 (no hybrid) and offers a third row. It’s more powerful and luxurious but gets worse gas mileage and costs more.

Verdict

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is a home run. By downsizing and lowering the price, Toyota has made the Land Cruiser relevant again. It captures the spirit of the original models—rugged, reliable, and capable—while adding modern technology and efficiency.

It is not a luxury status symbol anymore; it is an adventure vehicle. It’s a car for people who actually want to go places, not just look like they do. While we miss the V8 sound, the hybrid powertrain is better in almost every objective measure.

The legend hasn’t just returned; it’s been reborn.

Pros:

• Fantastic retro styling
• Genuine off-road capability
• Much improved fuel economy
• Physical buttons and controls

Cons:

• No third-row option
• Cargo floor is high due to battery
• Engine note is uninspiring
• Towing capacity dropped to 6,000 lbs

Rating: 8.5/10