The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser arrives with considerable anticipation, carrying the weight of its legendary heritage. As Toyota’s flagship SUV in the US market for many years, expectations are naturally high. This new iteration aims to broaden its appeal by targeting a more mainstream audience. While the retro-inspired exterior is undeniably eye-catching, this Land Cruiser, under closer examination, struggles to recapture the magic of its predecessors.
A Look Back and Forward for the Land Cruiser
It’s important to acknowledge the outgoing Land Cruiser. Priced near $90,000 in its final years, it presented a stark contrast between its rugged reputation and a surprisingly basic interior, reminiscent of a Toyota 4Runner. For that price, it was arguably overpriced, yet its legendary durability and go-anywhere capability were undeniable. In harsh environments like the Sahara Desert, a Land Cruiser’s reliability could be invaluable. However, beyond its toughness, the previous generation was a costly proposition. The 2024 Land Cruiser, therefore, had a significant opportunity for improvement.
This new Land Cruiser marks a significant departure, sharing little with its predecessor beyond the name. It is now based on the Land Cruiser Prado platform, which itself is related to the smaller 4Runner. This shift results in a more compact footprint, a modern turbocharged four-cylinder engine with hybrid assistance replacing the V8, and a striking neo-vintage design. The styling is indeed a highlight, successfully capturing a retro aesthetic that draws attention.
Hybrid Powertrain: Fuel Economy Fail?
Despite the visual appeal and advanced off-road technology, the driving experience reveals some shortcomings. While equipped with various drive modes and off-road aids, the reality is that most Land Cruisers will spend the majority of their time on paved roads. A major disappointment lies in the hybrid powertrain. Downsizing to a four-cylinder with hybrid assist was intended to improve efficiency, but real-world fuel economy proved surprisingly poor. During a week of diverse driving conditions, the Land Cruiser averaged under 18 MPG. This is particularly concerning when the EPA combined estimate is 25 MPG. To put this into perspective, a larger Toyota Sequoia SUV, with a more powerful twin-turbo V6 hybrid, achieved the same fuel economy in testing.
Performance is adequate but not inspiring. The combined 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque should suggest brisk acceleration, yet the 0-60 mph time is a modest 7.5 seconds. While Land Cruisers are not primarily about speed, the “i-FORCE MAX” badge creates expectations of more robust performance. Around town and in normal driving, the engine is sufficient, but it lacks the expected punch for highway passing. The engine is generally refined, avoiding the harshness of older Toyota four-cylinders. However, the poor fuel economy undermines the purpose of a hybrid system. Furthermore, the engine exhibits noticeable noise at idle, with clicks and clacks that sound uncharacteristic of a new vehicle, possibly resembling exhaust leaks or noisy lifters.
Interior: Style Over Substance?
The interior of this mid-range Land Cruiser trim is reasonably pleasant for a Toyota, but it falls short of expectations for a $70,000 vehicle. Soft-touch materials on the doors and brown leather seats create an initial impression of quality, but the seats themselves are quite flat and lack support for long journeys. Many controls feel cheap and are awkwardly positioned. The air conditioning button panel feels flimsy and creaks under pressure. The volume knob’s placement is particularly questionable, inaccessible to the passenger and partially obscured from the driver’s view by the steering wheel – seemingly an afterthought in design. The doors lack the solid, bank-vault closure of older Land Cruisers, sounding tinny and hollow, indicative of cost-cutting measures. The hybrid system also impacts cargo space, raising the load floor and reducing overall volume. Road noise is well-suppressed, but wind noise is noticeable, especially from the large side mirrors, creating a vortex effect against the windshield and side windows. Driving with the windows down at speeds above 40 mph is also unpleasant due to excessive wind buffeting from the mirrors.
Adding to interior concerns, the air conditioning proved surprisingly weak for a new car, even in moderately warm evening temperatures. The front seat warmers were virtually ineffective. On cooler evenings, even on the highest setting, the warmth was barely perceptible. In a separate test, a passenger was unaware the seat warmer was activated at all. These issues, combined with previously noted weak AC in other new Toyotas, raise questions about climate control performance.
Further interior quirks include a gauge cluster that is virtually invisible to passengers during daylight hours, as if equipped with a privacy filter. The cluster itself is cluttered with excessive icons and features confusing menus. Safety settings adjustments are inexplicably confined to the gauge cluster, inaccessible through the main center display – an illogical design choice. The test vehicle also exhibited a malfunctioning automatic day/night mode for the main screen. Despite correct settings, the screen remained in bright white day mode at night, causing significant glare until manually switched to dark mode.
On-Road Dynamics: A Pleasant Surprise
Surprisingly, the Land Cruiser performs admirably in driving dynamics, exceeding expectations. The steering is precise, making this boxy SUV easy to maneuver on the road. Handling is also surprisingly competent for its class, displaying a degree of balance in cornering. While overall tire grip is modest, it is noticeably more agile in corners than previous 4Runners or Land Cruisers. Ride quality is also well-tuned, effectively absorbing various road surfaces without the overly stiff, jittery ride often associated with older Toyota SUVs and trucks.
Off-Road Prowess: Grounded by Clearance?
While off-road testing was not conducted, the Land Cruiser’s technical specifications raise concerns. Despite its off-road technology and terrain management systems, the ground clearance is only 8.7 inches. This is less than the current 4Runner, significantly less than a Tacoma TRD Off-Road, and only marginally better than a Highlander. Without modifications like a lift kit or larger tires, off-roading the Land Cruiser requires careful navigation to avoid scraping or bottoming out. In practical off-road scenarios, limited ground clearance can negate the benefits of advanced articulation and technology, preventing the vehicle from clearing obstacles. For a vehicle marketed to the Overlanding community, this limited clearance is a significant compromise, undermining its “back-to-basics” off-roader image. For serious off-road enthusiasts, a 4Runner TRD Pro might be a more capable and cost-effective choice. The Land Cruiser will undoubtedly perform adequately off-road, but it’s unlikely to surpass less expensive SUVs and its capabilities are limited by its ground clearance. Its off-road appeal might lie more in electronic aids and relative comfort than in outright capability.
The Verdict: Style and Image Over True Substance
The 2024 Land Cruiser is visually appealing, eliciting positive reactions and drawing attention. However, the engine is underwhelming, the interior quality is inconsistent, and off-road capability is compromised by ground clearance. It appears to prioritize style and image, likely becoming a fashion statement for many buyers, similar to Mercedes G-Wagons that rarely encounter off-road terrain. While not inherently bad, the Land Cruiser is ultimately disappointing, failing to live up to the hype. By aiming for mainstream appeal, it has lost some of its unique character and desirability. The previous Land Cruiser, with its limited production and exclusivity, possessed a certain specialness that this new, more commonplace edition lacks.
For those seeking a more authentic “Land Cruiser experience”, the Lexus GX offers a compelling alternative. Sharing a similar design, the GX boasts a more luxurious interior and replaces the four-cylinder engine with a superior twin-turbo V6.
Lexus GX 550: The Real Land Cruiser Experience?
An update after testing the Lexus GX 550 reveals it to be the superior choice, outperforming the Toyota version in nearly every aspect. The twin-turbo V6 offers significantly improved power and a more refined sound, achieving the same fuel economy as the Land Cruiser. The interior is notably more luxurious, and surprisingly, comparable trims are only about $2,000 more expensive. The Lexus GX 550 is the recommended choice for those considering this type of vehicle.
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser
Pros:
- Striking Retro Exterior Design
- Advanced Electronic Off-Road Tools
Cons:
- Disappointing Fuel Economy from Four-Cylinder Hybrid
- High Price Point
- Limited Ground Clearance for Off-Roading
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser review and photos by Mitchell Weitzman and The Road Beat.
