The new Land Cruiser arrives with significant expectations, carrying the weight of Toyota’s flagship legacy in the US. While Japan enjoys the ultra-luxury Century limo as their true flagship, the Land Cruiser has long held that position stateside. This latest iteration shifts its focus to a broader audience, aiming for mainstream appeal. However, despite its striking retro aesthetics that undeniably capture attention, the 2024 Land Cruiser Hybrid struggles to deliver a truly special experience.
To be fair, the previous generation Land Cruiser wasn’t particularly exceptional either. Priced near $90,000 just a few years ago, it offered an interior that felt akin to a more robust 4Runner – underwhelming for its price point. While it boasted legendary durability and off-road prowess, essential for conquering terrains like the Sahara Desert, the overall package was arguably overpriced. Therefore, the new Land Cruiser has a low bar to clear in terms of improvement, and in many ways, it does objectively advance.
Leaving the past behind, this new Land Cruiser shares little more than a name with its predecessor. Interestingly, it arguably embodies the Land Cruiser spirit more authentically by being based on the Land Cruiser Prado, a model traditionally sold in global markets and derived from the smaller 4Runner platform. This new model features a more manageable size, a modern turbocharged four-cylinder engine enhanced with a hybrid system, and eye-catching neo-retro styling. The design is undeniably a major highlight.
Yet, the initial allure fades upon closer inspection, and despite the online buzz surrounding this vehicle, my personal experience with the Land Cruiser Hybrid was less than impressive. Even with advanced off-road technology and numerous drive modes designed for various terrains, the reality is that most Land Cruisers will primarily operate on paved roads, perhaps venturing onto gravel driveways at most. A significant drawback lies in its much-touted hybrid powertrain. While downsizing is the current industry trend, this small four-cylinder engine achieved an average fuel economy of under 18 MPG during my week-long test drive across diverse driving conditions. This figure is surprisingly poor, especially considering the EPA’s combined estimate of 25 MPG, which seems overly optimistic. To put this into perspective, a recent test of the larger Toyota Sequoia, equipped with a significantly bigger twin-turbo V6 hybrid, yielded the same average MPG. This raises serious questions about the efficiency of the Land Cruiser Hybrid system in real-world driving.
Performance-wise, the Land Cruiser Hybrid feels adequate but not genuinely quick, despite its combined output of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. The 0-60 mph time of 7.5 seconds is respectable for an SUV of this type, but the “i-FORCE MAX” engine badge on the rear suggests more assertive performance. Around town and in typical driving scenarios, it performs adequately, as expected from most modern vehicles. The engine itself is reasonably refined, avoiding the harshness often associated with older Toyota four-cylinders. However, the disappointing fuel economy of this hybrid setup undermines its purpose. Furthermore, the engine exhibits noticeable noise at idle, with clicks and clacks that might be mistaken for exhaust leaks or noisy lifters in a new vehicle.
The interior of this mid-range Land Cruiser trim is decent for a Toyota, but it falls short of expectations for a vehicle priced around $70,000. While soft-touch materials on the doors and seats, finished in a rich brown, create an initial impression of luxury, the seats themselves are quite flat and lack support for longer journeys. Many controls feel cheap and are oddly positioned. The air conditioning button cluster, for example, creaks and flexes noticeably when used. The volume knob is inconveniently placed, inaccessible to passengers and partially obscured from the driver’s view by the steering wheel – seemingly an afterthought in design. Contrary to the robust build quality traditionally associated with the Land Cruiser, the doors lack the solid, bank-vault-like closure of older models, sounding hollow and tinny, indicative of cost-saving measures in construction. The hybrid system also impacts practicality, raising the cargo floor and reducing overall storage capacity. Road noise is well-suppressed, but wind noise is prominent, likely due to the large side mirrors impacting the boxy windshield and side windows. Driving with the windows down at speeds above 40 mph becomes uncomfortably loud due to wind buffeting from the mirrors.
Adding to the interior shortcomings, the air conditioning proved surprisingly weak for a new car, struggling even during moderately warm evenings. The front seat warmers were practically ineffective. On cooler evenings, even at the highest setting, the warmth was barely perceptible. In another instance, a passenger was unaware the seat warmer was activated, highlighting its minimal output. This weak air conditioning is a recurring issue noticed in some recent Toyota models, and the seat warmers are among the weakest encountered.
Further interior quirks include a gauge cluster that is difficult for passengers to view in daylight, almost as if it has a privacy screen. The cluster design is typical of modern Toyotas, cluttered with excessive icons and menus that are cumbersome to navigate. Notably, safety settings adjustments are confined to this cluster and cannot be accessed through the main center display, which is an unintuitive design choice. The test vehicle also suffered from a malfunctioning automatic day/night mode for the main screen. This feature, common in modern cars and devices, should automatically switch from a bright day mode to a darker night mode. Despite being enabled with correct time and zone settings, it failed to function, resulting in a blindingly bright white screen at night. While older Toyotas might momentarily flash white before switching to dark mode, this system failed to switch automatically at all, necessitating manual switching to permanent dark mode during the test period.
Despite these shortcomings, the Land Cruiser Hybrid does offer a surprisingly pleasant driving experience, exceeding initial expectations. The steering is precise, making this large SUV feel manageable on the road, and handling is reasonably composed for its class, exhibiting a degree of balance in cornering. While tire grip is limited, it is noticeably more agile than previous 4Runner and Land Cruiser models when pushed. Ride quality is also well-tuned, effectively absorbing various road imperfections without the overly stiff or bouncy ride characteristic of older Toyota SUVs and trucks.
While I couldn’t assess its off-road capabilities on challenging terrain, the Land Cruiser Hybrid’s technical specifications reveal limitations. Its ground clearance of only 8.7 inches is less than the current 4Runner, significantly less than a Tacoma TRD Off-Road, and only marginally better than a standard Highlander. Without modifications like a lift kit and larger tires, off-roading requires careful navigation to avoid scraping or bottoming out. In practical off-road scenarios, advanced articulation cannot compensate for limited ground clearance, hindering its ability to clear obstacles. This raises questions about the purpose of its sophisticated off-road technology when fundamental clearance is lacking. For a vehicle often championed by the overlanding community, the new Land Cruiser Hybrid might disappoint in its stock form, contradicting its back-to-basics and accessible off-roader image. Serious off-road enthusiasts might find better value and capability in a 4Runner TRD Pro for less money. While the Land Cruiser Hybrid is undoubtedly capable off-road, its real-world performance might not surpass less expensive SUVs, even if it offers greater comfort and electronic aids.
Ultimately, I wanted to be more enthusiastic about the new Land Cruiser Hybrid, drawn in by its striking visual appeal, which garnered positive attention and comments. However, the underwhelming engine performance, interior shortcomings, and limited off-road advantages compared to other Toyota models temper my enthusiasm. It largely comes across as a style-focused vehicle, likely appealing to buyers primarily for its retro aesthetics – similar to how many Mercedes G-Wagons rarely see off-road use. My sentiment is not dislike, but rather disappointment. Hopes were high, fueled by online hype, but the reality is less compelling. By aiming for mainstream appeal, the Land Cruiser Hybrid has arguably diluted its unique charm and desirability. The previous generation, with its rarity and exclusivity, felt more special, while this new iteration risks becoming just another Toyota SUV in the lineup.
For those seeking a more authentic “Land Cruiser” experience, the Lexus GX emerges as a compelling alternative. Sharing a similar design language, the GX offers a more luxurious interior and replaces the four-cylinder hybrid with a superior twin-turbo V6 engine. Having recently tested the GX 550, it proves to be the more desirable “Land Cruiser,” outperforming the Toyota version in nearly every aspect. The twin-turbo V6 delivers significantly more power and a richer sound, improving 0-60 mph times by over a second without sacrificing fuel economy. The interior is noticeably more refined, and surprisingly, comparable GX trims are only about $2,000 more expensive – a worthwhile upgrade. Most buyers seeking a Land Cruiser should seriously consider the Lexus GX 550 instead for a more complete and satisfying package.
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Hybrid
Pros: Striking retro exterior styling, advanced electronic off-road aids.
Cons: Underwhelming and thirsty four-cylinder hybrid engine, relatively expensive, limited ground clearance for serious off-roading.
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Hybrid review and photos by Mitchell Weitzman and The Road Beat.
