The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser arrives with significant expectations, carrying the weight of its legendary heritage as Toyota’s flagship SUV in the US market. While Japan boasts the ultra-luxury Century limo as their true pinnacle of automotive prestige, the Land Cruiser has long held a special place in American hearts and minds. This new iteration, however, takes a different path, aiming for a broader appeal and a more mainstream audience. With its striking retro-inspired exterior, the 2024 Land Cruiser immediately grabs attention. But does this nostalgic charm translate into a truly exceptional SUV experience? After spending time behind the wheel, it becomes clear that despite its head-turning looks, the new Land Cruiser struggles to deliver the specialness one might expect from such an iconic nameplate.
While the previous generation Land Cruiser enjoyed a reputation for unparalleled durability and off-road prowess, it also came with a hefty price tag, nearing $90,000 in its final years. For that considerable sum, buyers were greeted with an interior that felt remarkably similar to the much more affordable Toyota 4Runner – a cabin that, frankly, didn’t justify the exorbitant cost. Despite its shortcomings in value, the old Land Cruiser possessed an almost mythical reliability, capable of enduring extreme conditions and pushing boundaries, limited only by the driver’s ambition and perhaps, their sense of adventure. Its legendary toughness made it the vehicle of choice for those venturing into the most demanding environments, like the Sahara Desert, where dependability is paramount. Beyond its ruggedness, however, the previous Land Cruiser was arguably an overpriced proposition. Therefore, the bar for improvement with the 2024 model wasn’t set impossibly high.
Alt text: Bold front profile of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser showcasing its retro-inspired square headlights and robust grille, emphasizing its revamped exterior design.
It’s crucial to understand that the 2024 Land Cruiser represents a significant departure from its predecessors, sharing little more than the name. This new model is fundamentally based on the Land Cruiser Prado, a platform previously sold in global markets outside of North America and closely related to the smaller Toyota 4Runner. By adopting the Prado platform, the 2024 Land Cruiser has been scaled down to a more manageable size. The venerable V8 engine has been replaced with a modern, turbocharged four-cylinder engine augmented by a hybrid system. Coupled with the undeniably appealing neo-vintage styling, these changes define the essence of the new Land Cruiser. And indeed, the exterior design is arguably one of the most compelling aspects of this vehicle.
However, the initial allure of the 2024 Land Cruiser’s aesthetics fades somewhat upon closer inspection and real-world driving. Despite the considerable online buzz and anticipation surrounding this vehicle, the test experience proved to be less than inspiring. While Toyota has equipped the Land Cruiser with an impressive suite of off-road technologies and driving modes designed to tackle various terrains, the reality is that the vast majority of these SUVs will likely spend their lives on paved roads, perhaps occasionally venturing onto gravel driveways or well-maintained dirt tracks. A significant drawback lies in the supposedly fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain. Downsizing engines might be the industry trend, but the 2024 Land Cruiser’s turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid struggled to deliver on fuel economy promises. During a week of mixed driving conditions, the average fuel consumption hovered below 18 MPG. This figure is particularly disappointing when juxtaposed with the EPA’s combined rating of 25 MPG, a number that seems wildly optimistic in real-world scenarios. To put this into perspective, a test drive of the significantly larger Toyota Sequoia, equipped with a considerably more powerful twin-turbo V6 hybrid, yielded the exact same average fuel economy.
Alt text: A glimpse into the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser’s interior, highlighting the dashboard layout, infotainment screen, and brown leather seats, focusing on the driver’s perspective.
Performance-wise, the 2024 Land Cruiser feels surprisingly sluggish despite its combined output of 326 horsepower and a substantial 465 lb-ft of torque. The 0-60 MPH acceleration time of 7.5 seconds is adequate but hardly exhilarating. While outright speed isn’t the Land Cruiser’s primary mission, the “i-FORCE MAX” engine badge on the rear creates an expectation of more responsive power, especially in passing situations. In typical urban and suburban driving, the engine performs acceptably, mirroring the performance of most modern vehicles. Fortunately, the engine operates with a reasonable degree of smoothness, avoiding the harshness often associated with older Toyota four-cylinder units. However, the underwhelming fuel economy significantly detracts from the appeal of this new hybrid system, raising the question of its true purpose when fuel consumption remains so high. Furthermore, the engine exhibits noticeable noise at idle, characterized by clicks and clacks that might be mistaken for exhaust leaks or noisy valve lifters, an unusual characteristic for a new vehicle.
The interior of this mid-range 2024 Land Cruiser trim level presents a mixed bag. While it represents a step up for Toyota in terms of design and materials, it falls short of expectations for a vehicle priced around $70,000. The use of soft-touch materials on the doors and the rich brown leather upholstery initially create an impression of luxury. However, the seats themselves are quite flat and lack support, particularly for longer journeys. Numerous controls feel cheaply constructed and oddly positioned. The air conditioning button cluster, for example, exhibits noticeable creaking and flexing under pressure. The volume knob’s placement is particularly perplexing, positioned out of reach for the passenger and partially obscured from the driver’s view by the steering wheel – an apparent design afterthought. Departing from the robust build quality traditionally associated with Land Cruisers, the doors close with a less reassuring, hollow sound, indicative of cost-conscious construction. The hybrid battery placement intrudes into the cargo area, raising the floor height and reducing overall cargo volume and practicality. While road noise from below is well-suppressed, wind noise is prominent, especially around the large side mirrors, creating a noticeable vortex effect against the windshield and side windows. Driving with the windows down at speeds above 40 MPH becomes uncomfortably noisy due to wind buffeting originating from the mirrors.
Adding to the interior disappointments, the air conditioning system proved surprisingly weak for a brand-new vehicle, even during nighttime drives with comfortable ambient temperatures in the 80s. The front seat warmers were practically ineffective. On cooler evenings, even at the highest setting, the warmth was barely perceptible. In a separate test on a warmer afternoon, a passenger remained completely unaware that the seat warmer had been activated. This experience, coupled with observations of weak air conditioning in other recent Toyota models, raises concerns about the climate control performance in the 2024 Land Cruiser.
Alt text: Spacious rear seating area of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featuring brown leather upholstery, ample legroom, and a view of the rear door panel.
Further criticisms include the gauge cluster, which is virtually invisible to passengers in daylight, resembling a privacy screen on a smartphone. The cluster’s design follows the trend of overly complex new Toyota interfaces, cluttered with excessive icons and unintuitive menus. Crucially, many safety settings are buried within these menus and cannot be accessed through the main center display, a frustrating design choice. The test vehicle also exhibited a malfunction in the automatic day/night mode for the main infotainment screen. Despite having the automatic setting enabled and the correct time zone configured, the screen remained stubbornly in bright white day mode even at night, causing significant glare. While Toyotas in the past have exhibited a momentary white flash before switching to dark mode, this system failed to switch at all, necessitating manual switching to permanent dark mode for nighttime driving.
Despite these shortcomings, the 2024 Land Cruiser does possess some redeeming qualities in its driving dynamics. The steering is precise and responsive, making it surprisingly easy to maneuver this boxy SUV on the road. Handling is also better than expected for a vehicle of this type, exhibiting a degree of composure in corners. While tire grip remains limited overall, the 2024 Land Cruiser demonstrates superior cornering capability compared to previous 4Runners and Land Cruisers. Ride quality is also commendable, striking a good balance between comfort and control across various road surfaces, avoiding the overly stiff and jittery ride often found in older Toyota trucks and SUVs.
Alt text: Side view of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser in Heritage Blue, parked on pavement, showcasing its boxy silhouette, retro design cues, and wheel design.
Unfortunately, there was no opportunity to assess the 2024 Land Cruiser’s off-road prowess in challenging terrain. While it boasts impressive departure angles and suspension articulation, its ground clearance of just 8.7 inches is a limiting factor. This figure is actually less than the current Toyota 4Runner, significantly less than the Tacoma TRD Off-Road pickup, and only marginally better than a standard Toyota Highlander. Without modifications such as a suspension lift and larger tires, off-roading the 2024 Land Cruiser requires considerable caution to avoid scraping the undercarriage or bottoming out. In practical off-road scenarios, no amount of electronic aids or suspension articulation can compensate for insufficient ground clearance when encountering rocks and obstacles. This raises questions about the intended purpose of the advanced off-road technology if the vehicle’s fundamental clearance restricts its capability. For a vehicle often considered a cornerstone of the overlanding community, the new Land Cruiser might disappoint those seeking serious out-of-the-box off-road performance, despite its supposed return to simpler, more rugged roots. For dedicated off-road enthusiasts, a 4Runner TRD Pro might prove to be a more capable and cost-effective alternative. While the 2024 Land Cruiser will undoubtedly perform adequately off-road, it’s unlikely to surpass the capabilities of less expensive SUVs and may even fall short in certain situations. Its off-road advantage, if any, might lie in providing a degree of comfort and electronic assistance while tackling moderate trails.
Ultimately, the 2024 Land Cruiser, while visually appealing and attracting considerable attention, falls short of expectations in several key areas. The engine’s performance is underwhelming, the interior quality is questionable for its price point, and its off-road capabilities are limited by ground clearance compared to established Toyota off-roaders. It emerges primarily as a style-driven vehicle, likely to appeal to buyers prioritizing aesthetics. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this – and luxury SUVs like the Mercedes G-Wagon often prioritize style over serious off-roading for most owners – the disappointment stems from unfulfilled potential. The hope was for more substance beneath the retro veneer, but the reality doesn’t quite live up to the hype. By aiming for mainstream appeal and approachability, the 2024 Land Cruiser may have diluted the very qualities that made its predecessors special and desirable. The previous Land Cruiser, with its limited production and unique character, held a certain exclusivity. This new iteration risks becoming just another Toyota SUV in a crowded market.
For those seeking a more genuinely “Land Cruiser” experience, the Lexus GX 550 emerges as a compelling alternative. Sharing a similar platform and styling, the GX 550 elevates the experience with a more luxurious interior and replaces the underwhelming four-cylinder engine with a significantly more powerful twin-turbo V6. A recent test drive of the GX 550 confirmed its superiority in nearly every aspect. The twin-turbo V6 delivers noticeably improved performance and a more refined driving experience, while achieving comparable fuel economy to the Land Cruiser’s four-cylinder hybrid. The GX 550’s interior is demonstrably more upscale, and surprisingly, comparable trim levels are priced only marginally higher, making the Lexus GX 550 a significantly more compelling and rewarding choice for most buyers.
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser
As-tested price: $70,029
Pros: Striking retro exterior styling; Advanced electronic off-road aids.
Cons: Thirsty four-cylinder hybrid engine; High price point; Limited ground clearance for serious off-roading.
Alt text: Front three-quarter view of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser in Heritage Blue, parked on a paved surface, highlighting its retro-inspired design and modern LED lighting.
Alt text: Close-up detail of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser’s front grille and headlight, emphasizing the retro Toyota lettering and the circular LED headlight design.
Alt text: Front angle view of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser in a neutral color, parked outdoors, showcasing its boxy shape and rugged stance.
Alt text: Interior detail of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser’s brown leather seats, highlighting the stitching and material quality.
Alt text: Rear three-quarter view of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser in Heritage Blue, emphasizing its taillight design and rear profile.
Alt text: Wide shot of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser’s interior, showing the dashboard, center console, steering wheel, and infotainment screen in detail.
Alt text: Close-up of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser’s rear seats, showcasing the legroom and seat design from a passenger perspective.
Alt text: Driver’s side interior view of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, focusing on the steering wheel, instrument cluster, and dashboard layout.
Alt text: Detail shot of the poorly placed volume knob in the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser’s interior, highlighting its inconvenient location.
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser review and photos by Mitchell Weitzman and The Road Beat.
